jQuer Polling Plugin

gistfile1.js

// jQuery Polling Plugin
// http://www.buntin.org/2008/sep/23/jquery-polling-plugin/
(function($) {
    $.fn.poll = function(options){
        var $this = $(this);
        // extend our default options with those provided
        var opts = $.extend({}, $.fn.poll.defaults, options);
        setInterval(update, opts.interval);

        // method used to update element html
        function update(){
            $.ajax({
                type: opts.type,
                url: opts.url,
                success: opts.success
            });
        };
    };

    // default options
    $.fn.poll.defaults = {
        type: "POST",
        url: ".",
        success: '',
        interval: 2000
    };
})(jQuery);

// Usage
$("#chat").poll({
    url: "/chat/ajax/1/messages/",
    interval: 3000,
    type: "GET",
    success: function(data){
        $("#chat").append(data);
    }
});