If you’re already instant messaging, incorporating Indenti.ca into your routine is quick and easy. You can send and receive messages and manage tracks through IM.

1. Add “laconica@west.spy.net” to your IM friends list.
2. Here’s the list of currently available commands.

   add_service Add a service you can post to.
   autopost Enable or disable autopost
   help Get help for commands.
   off Disable updates.
   on Activate updates.
   post Post an update to a service.
   remove_service Remove (log out of) a service.
   services List all known services.
   track Track a topic
   tracks List your tracks.
   untrack Stop tracking a topic

   You can access this list at any time by sending “help” to the above address.

A billion props to @dustin for setting up this IM tool.

Tracking allows you to listen to (and participate in) conversations that are relevant to your interests, no matter who is doing the talking.

You can track your name, your business, your dog’s breed, or your old high school. In “How to Get Started Using Identi.ca - Fast!” we suggested a few more terms to track.

Here’s how to start tracking using IM:

1. Sign into your preferred IM client and send the message “track [keyword]” to laconica@west.spy.net.
2. If you want to stop tracking a word, send “untrack [keyword]” to laconica@west.spy.net.
3. If you don’t remember everything you’re tracking, send “tracks” to laconica@west.spy.net.

That’s it!

You can also track using RSS.

UPDATE: Bwana (@bwana) put together this instructonal video on using Identispy.