Chat client

Pesterchum is a messaging application in Homestuck, similar to AIM, Yahoo Messenger, or MSN Messenger. With it, the kids are able to talk to each other.

To use Pesterchum, you must first have a screen name for it, called a "chumhandle." This name is a camel-cased combination of two different words, often based on the person's interests. John Egbert's chumhandle is ectoBiologist (formerly ghostyTrickster until the Trolls over-trolled him), Dave Strider's is turntechGodhead, Rose Lalonde's is tentacleTherapist, and Jade Harley's is gardenGnostic. Pesterchum is a bit quirky compared to other instant messengers in that the client itself is based on the word "Pester" which itself isn't exactly the kindest of words. All of the lines and syntax used in Pesterchum are based on this word, and its connotation is that of one being annoying rather than the light-hearted buddy system that other messengers typically have. Users chums do not message, they "pester". This may be based on many users' opinions towards programs such as MSN or AIM -- specifically, that they always seem to need your attention when there's something else you need to do.

Pesterchum also features a mood system. In version 6.0, one can select from only six moods; Chummy, Chipper, Palsy, Bully, Peppy, and Rancorous. All these moods look exactly alike except for the angry red face of Rancorous. Pesterchum 7.0 has nine moods to choose from: Chummy, Mystified, Amazed, Insolent, Bemused, Pranky, Pleasent, Rancorous, and the ever popular Smooth. Unlike 6.0, 7.0 gives each mood its own facial expression. Changing the mood has little effect on when others pester you.

John installs Pesterchum on his Dad's PDA so that he can pester his chums while away from his computer. Dave accesses Pesterchum via his Phone but has to text message his chums.

Jade has Pesterchum Enamel, a version of Pesterchum which advertises itself as being "Much Shinier!"

It is also worthy to note that all the abbreviated handles, Troll and Kid, make up an ATGC sequence. John's does not currently fit, but his original, ghostyTrickster, does. Furthermore, EB (from ectoBiologist) is a reference to EarthBound, a fact confirmed by Hussie in Homestuck Vol. 1.

The trollSlum
Along with having a chumRoll, each of the kids also has a trollSlum, which is a list of Trolls with whom they might rather avoid speaking. The Trolls' IM software appears to bypass the block, however. The trolls are all in a Rancorous mood, though this may apply automatically to anyone in the trollSlum

Fan version
The fans (specifically, Shinmera and Armada) seem to have created their own version of Pesterchum. The program also has a side version, "TinyChum", which is more compact than the original, and seems to have replaced the original entirely. A yet newer version has been created by another author and has been rewritten 'from scratch.'

NEWEST VERSION (3.41) by illuminatedwax.

Themes for 3.41, by ashdenej et al.

NEWER VERSIOn (2.5) by Grimlive95 and Syniphas.

FORUM THREAD (TINYCHUM & 2.0) by Shinmera and Armada.

There also happens to be a real, non-fan version Here.

The listing of fan chumhandles