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Instant Messaging - Real Time, One-on-one Chat
Instant messaging a type of communications service gives you the ability to exchange messages in real time with other people over the Internet. Think of it as a private chat room with just the two of you. To send and receive instant messages, you will need a connection to the Internet and instant messaging software.
The more popular instand messaging services are:
Once you have installed and set up your instant messaging program, the software walk you through the process of setting up a list of friends and family who are using the same program, and who you would like to chat with. Once friends and families are on your list, the program will alert you when they come online, so you can send them a message.
The instant messaging software enables you to set up a list of friends who also use the program. Once you set up this list, you can see if each friend is online at a particular moment. If so, you can begin a conversation with them quickly and easily.
Conversations are sent back and forth as text messages. When you become more familiar with using the program, you will be able to send files, voice messages, videos, and more.
You can carry on more than one conversation with more than one individual at the same time. Each conversation will open a new instant messaging window, and if you can keep track of all the conversations, and keep up, it can be great fun.
Benefits of instant messaging include:
- Real-time chatting with one or more persons at a time.
- The ability to control who you want to talk to and when.
- The ability to set up alert sounds for when friends and family come online, when you receive messages, when someone goes offline, and more.
- The ability to select your current online status. You can indicate if you're busy, out to lunch, away from the computer, and more.
- The ability to select icons to insert into your messages to add "emotions" to your messages.
If you are ready to enjoy the fun of real-time chatting, you need to start with the following steps:
- Select the software program you want to use for instant messaging. You aren't restricted to only one, so experiment with them all!
- Download and install the software.
- Register for an account, and select a screen name / username and password.
- Go to the Help section of the instant messaging software to learn how to use the program.
- Add people to your personal list. Most programs allow you to sort the names into categories, such as Family, Frients, Co-workers, etc.
- If you want to, you can create a personal profile, telling others a little about you.
If you are an AOL user, and are using the build-in Buddy List instant messaging feature, you can get more information here.