Not to get too far off track for HN (and hey, why don't I know you? Should get coffee some time.) but OPPL doesn't block SSH outbound, and I use Meebo for IM. I still go there every once in awhile; our office is getting crowded.
There's a whole other conversation to be had about why libraries have these crappy security gateways. Blue Socket randomly locks me out for "bad behavior", but forgets about the lockout if you browse directly to the logout handler. I keep meaning to go find the library IT guy and demanding that they allow AIM.
(I just updated my HN profile with my contact info... Let's meet at the Buzz sometime!)
Hmm... I think I was trying some wacky ports like "4444" (Selenium) and 5901 ('raw' VNC). I also use a non-standard SSH port (not port 22) for my remote servers. I'll have to give it another go sometime. And yeah, I know I should be doing everything over an encrypted channel anyway. :-)
There's a whole other conversation to be had about why libraries have these crappy security gateways. Blue Socket randomly locks me out for "bad behavior", but forgets about the lockout if you browse directly to the logout handler. I keep meaning to go find the library IT guy and demanding that they allow AIM.