MAIN Technology Internet Instant Messaging

IM, or Instant Messaging, has probably done more than any other Internet technology to help people communicate. Whether users want to get in touch with a friend, business associate or loved one down the street, across the country, or around the world - IM has increasingly replaced the telephone for many as the primary way to stay in touch.

Similar to e-mail, but more like chat, IM is a text-based conversation between two or more people. The advantage of IM is the instaneous way that messages are sent and received in a real-time, virtual conversation.

Underlying the "magic" of IM are special programs or IM clients that are easily installed on personal computers. As long as those on your "buddy list" have compatible programs, the client will alert users whenever someone is online and ready to "talk".

While the advantages of IM are many, business administrators cite disadvantages in the time wasted by some IM users who communicate with friends during valuable work time. In some cases, the IM client will be removed entirely from users' PCs, or else replaced with a closed system allowing teams or departments to communicate with each other exclusively.

Advanced IM systems also allow files and photo sharing, or live video via Webcam. With compatible speaker and microphone equipment, free or reduced-rate phone calls can also be placed anywhere in the world using IM programs.

Similar to the same dangers encountered in e-mail, viruses and unwanted adware can also be attached to instant messages as text files and opened by unwary users.

Typically, home PC users can choose from a number of popular IM clients available for Internet download. Most include overviews, new user's guide, as well as a FAQ covering help, support or troubleshooting tips. They include:

• Yahoo Messenger | Getting Started | Yahoo Messenger Help & Troubleshooting

• MSN Messenger | Getting Started | MSN Messenger Help & Troubleshooting

• AIM | Getting Started | AIM Help & Troubleshooting

• ICQ | Getting Started | ICQ Help & Troubleshooting

• Trillian | Getting Started | Trillian Help & Troubleshooting

• Google Talk | Getting Started | Google Talk Help & Troubleshooting

Elsewhere on the Web, find out more about popular IM programs & services with tips, advice & comparisons for IM newbies including common IM lingo and abbreviations, and more on related virus & security issues...

Internet Messaging & Real Time Communication - From Webopedia, with a good basic overview of the service, how it grew in popularity, typical IM software & services, secure business IM systems, security issues & virus dangers, and common text messaging abbreviations.

Comparison of Instant Messaging Clients - Wikipedia provides a quick glance at the most popular instant messaging programs with side-by-side comparisons of features, operating system & protocal support, related links.

Also in Computer & Internet --> Chat Guides

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