I don't quite know how the lj_bot is implemented and how neccessary it is to run on it's own server, however, it would seem to me that if we could provide a setting in our lj profiles for a gchat id, then if the lj_bot were to connect to gchat, it could verify that setting, and authenticate a gmail user as the equivalent lj_user and implement all the same functionality it already has. I'd love to be able to make posts from my gmail account on the run.
[Mid Writing Edit] It looks like you can add Frank to your gmail buddylist, you just: [16:06:41] LJ Bot (Frank) (bot): Can't post from non-LiveJournal Jabber addresses yet. [/Mid Writing Edit]
Is there any update on the schedule for this feature?