instant messaging

Exchanging text messages in real time between two or more people logged into an instant messaging (IM) service. Unlike email, messages are sent immediately, whereas email can be queued up in a mail server for seconds or minutes. However, there is no elaborate page layout: type a brief message and press Enter. Some IM services provide video calling, file sharing and PC-to-phone calling and allow users to switch back and forth. See text messaging vs. instant messaging.

Contact List (Buddy List)
To use instant messaging, people add the usernames of the friends and colleagues they want to communicate with. After logging in to the IM service, everyone in their list may be alerted providing they allow notifications. Each system has its own method for blocking incoming messages.

The IM Services
Instant messaging (IM) became popular after Israeli-based ICQ debuted in 1996, which was later acquired by AOL. There are more than three dozen IM services, and WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, WeChat, TenCent QQ, Line, Telegram, Skype and Snapchat are some of the largest.

IM programs initially connected only to members of the same service. However, IM clients such as Trillian and Simple Instant Messenger were designed to interface with multiple IM services. XMPP and Matrix are open protocols for instant messaging (see Jabber, XMPP and Matrix protocol).

Short and Sweet

This is a typical IM interaction using the earlier Google Talk service. The user's picture can be real or selected from a list (see avatar). Google Talk was replaced (see Google Chat).

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References in periodicals archive

In the past, encrypting instant messages was a tedious, manual process that was beyond the skill or patience of ordinary users.

SJ - IM BRINGS PRIVACY TO INSTANT MESSAGING

Instant messaging can create numerous interruptions throughout the day; as individuals try to complete reading and writing assignments, they may be simultaneously responding to instant messages from friends, colleagues, and other persons in their social networks (Quan-Haase & Collins, 2008).

The effects of instant messaging and task difficulty on reading comprehension

I haven't had a teacher ask for better voice anymore.' Other participants also agreed that Instant Message could help the aspect of voice.

Student perceptions of the impact of Instant Messaging on academic writing

Administrators say the instant message system is especially useful for security situations, weather announcements and to quickly quell rumors and keep staff abreast of developing situations.

The effective, non-invasive method

Instant Message Archiving captures all IM communication and stores it within a tamper-proof centralised location, which ensures adherence to regulatory compliance and provides internal control over IM communications.

BizCom Web Services enhances hosted Microsoft Office Communications Server R2 service

From Axelrod, the chief campaign strategist, down to junior staffers in the press office, Obama's campaign relied heavily on software many of them began using in high school-AOL Instant Message and Google Chat.

No instant messaging in Obama's White House

In addition AOL has introduced the AIM WIMZI Widget, which can be found at http://wimzi.aim.com, enabling website owners, bloggers and consumers with social networking profiles to instant message with site visitors.

AOL introduces new AOL Mail and AIM WIMZI Widget features

Nina Gordon types out an instant message and sends it.

IM-ing: now it's all in the family: instant messaging is helping to break down barriers between parents and their children

JabCast is a secure communications system that allows users to instant message and perform interactive text, file and document exchange in a completely secure environment across the Internet using any combination of network platform protocols, including Compaq OpenVMS, Windows NT, Windows 2000, Linux and Unix.

Secure messaging. (New Products)

An open instant message program provides a door through and around company security and firewalls, say the experts.

Instant Messaging: An Unchecked Security Exposure. (Technology Solutions)

Clicking on the icon will enable an instant message conversation to be started rather than the user having to wait for the recipient to read an e-mail.

Yahoo to incorporate instant messaging into Yahoo mail program

The merchant can then have that information delivered in any format necessary: pager, fax, mail, voice, or even instant message (Webb supports the Open Source Instant Messaging Movement, which employs XML as the standard for IM communications).

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