Instant Messaging

Instant messaging (IM) is a form of real-time commutation between one or more people using typed text. IM programs such as Microsoft's Windows Live allows users to have a contact list of other peoples email addresses, they can then chat to these people when they are online, the user will also have notifications of when other users come online and be able to see who is online and who is not. IM programs let people to commutation easily over the internet using text. Benefits from this can be that most of the time it is free, fast and user friendly. These programs allow people to commuicate with others all over the world easily and In addition with some IM programs they allow users to read their emails and get a notification when they get a new one, a program that does this is Microsoft’s Windows Live Messenger.

A feature of most IM programs is that you have small picture icons called emoticons which you can send with the text to show your expression, such as a smile face or a mad face. You can also have other small pictures such as a sheep or a love heart. Other features of IM can include the following: allows users to transfer files such as pictures, audio, video and documents easily to one another, users can have a video chat using webcams and voip.

Disadvantages of using IM can be that you cannot use it without being connected to the internet. Also you can be cut of from a conversation if you or the other person looses your connection. It can also run slowly or have errors e.g. messages take a long time to send, or don’t send at all. This will prevent you from having a good conversation.

Screenshot of Windows Live Messenger.