|
Instant Messaging is a method of internet communications which allows two or more people to chat by sending messages back and forth over standard Internet Protocol.
Instant Messaging users may compose buddy lists and see when their family, friends, and associates are online and available to exchange messages. It is generally considered to be a very convenient and efficient way to communicate for free over the internet.
Some of the most popular instant messaging clients currently available include AOL Instant Messenger (AIM), Yahoo Instant Messenger (YIM), MSN Messenger, and ICQ.
Instant messaging requires an instant messaging client that connects to an instant messaging service. Instant messaging differs from e-mail in that conversations happen in real-time. A multiprotocol instant messaging application allows one client to connect to multiple IM networks.
Instant messaging services owe many ideas to an older and still popular online chat medium named Internet Relay Chat (IRC). In early instant messaging programs, each letter appeared when it was typed, and when letters were deleted to correct typos this was also seen in real time. This made it more like a telephone conversation than exchanging letters. In modern instant messaging programs, the other party in the conversation generally only sees each line of text right after a new line is started. Most instant messaging applications also include the ability to set a status message, roughly analogous to the message on a telephone answering machine.
Benefits
|
