Instant Messenger

Online Instant Messenger Programs

Using today's computer coupled to the Internet or world wide web it is possible to IM (instant message), e-mail, and use chat rooms to communicate with friends and family virtually anywhere in the world.

It is even possible to communicate with complete strangers anywhere on the globe who may happen to share the same interests as a person from the home, office, car or even Internet cafes where it is possible to rent computer time by the hour. This brand new form of communicating has altered the day to day lives of billions of people.

Instant messengers or IM's are generally free down loadable programs that enable you to communicate via text (typing), voice, video (webcam) or even a combination of all three. All the major and most popular instant messenger programs, are sponsored by advertising.

By downloading an instant messenger chat program and connecting a microphone and webcam to your computer it is possible to both see and hear each other no matter where in the world you both are located. This makes for an extremely useful means of communicating with friends and family both near and far, especially when it costs you nothing more than your standard Internet connection. That's right IM's are free and will even work over a dial up Internet connection, though cable offers slightly superior quality in terms of video speed.

Our lives have been changed so much by the latest communication revolution that there are chains of thought that are concerned about a persons isolation and detachment from the physical world due to the addictive nature of computer communication. Another problem that people advocate is that by using the mask of a computer and no real live interaction going on, instant messaging provides the perfect atmosphere for multiple personality identities. However on the other hand there are people who believe this new form of communication actually expands ones social circles.

Many of today's students feel that because instant messaging allows you to converse for free, anywhere, anytime of day, they have managed to keep in touch with far more people than they would have via the telephone or visits to one anther's homes.

Instant messaging has been predicted as being the logical successor to cell phone use.

This leads us to the question, does today's online communication methods, in particular instant messaging, e-mail, and chat rooms, destroy relationships or help them develop and mature? Are relationships hindered or flourished from this type of new environment?

One fear with many of today's parents is that their children will fall into their own virtual online world of communication and completely shut themselves off from the real world around them.

IM, or instant messaging, is one of the latest communication methods that has literally caused a craze around the world. Instant messaging is practically free, quick, and extremely easy to use.

The most popular instant messaging down-loadable programs available online today include:

* Yahoo Instant Messenger

* AIM from AOL Instant Messenger

* Windows Live Messenger

* A recent addition from Google named Google Talk

* ICQ Messenger, the largest multi lingual IM community online.

* MySpaceIM Instant Message any of your MySpace friends at any time.

* Jabber Ad free alternative to commercial IM services.

* Meebo instant message from absolutely anywhere.

* Trillian all in One Instant Messenger supports AIM, ICQ, MSN, MySpaceIM, Google Talk, Yahoo Messenger, AND IRC (Internet Relay Chat)

Most messengers allow you to chat via text or voice, view by live webcam, send links and computer files including pictures person to person or person to groups of people, and even draw pictures or diagrams via a shared whiteboard.

Becoming addicted to IM and other forms of communication is becoming much more common and in fact you can be hooked on IM without realizing the extent to which it has taken over your life.

A typical scenario starts out with a person downloading the IM program, usually a friend or relative has requested they "get MSN" or why not "download Yahoo" so we can keep in touch. After all instant messaging is a very convenient way to keep in touch with friends from school and family. However soon the person finds themselves signing in more and more often, until you find that the first thing you do every morning is sign onto your instant messaging program to see what everyone else is doing today.

Instant messaging (IM'ing) is now the most commonly used form of communication today, yet online chatting didn't start with the AOL instant messenger script. Instead it all started with electronic mail, e-mail as we now know it.

Further Information Regarding Instant Messenger

AT&T Instant Messaging for Deaf and People with Hearing or Speech Loss
Customers using AT&T IM Relay services now have a new, faster feature at their fingertips: AT&T Real Time IM. AT&T is the first and only provider to offer the new real time feature - offering more than 31 million people with hearing and speech loss, nationwide, a more immediate way to communicate with standard telephone users.

QQ IM Instant Message Service from Tencent
QQ is a form of Instant Messaging, which means that you can enjoy private one-on-one chats with other QQ members, anywhere in the world. Tencent QQ, generally referred to as QQ, is the most popular free instant messaging computer program in Mainland China, and the world's third most popular IM service.

ICQ Messenger Information
When you signup for an ICQ account (its free) you wil receive a unique number which is your personal ICQ number. You can set up your buddy lists, just like on AOL, so you'll know when your friends, buiness colleagues, or family are online. ICQ also gives you a record of every communication event sent or received.

Yahoo Messenger with Voice and Computer to Phone Chat Client
Yahoo! Messenger is an advertisement supported instant messaging client (IM) provided by Yahoo. The Yahoo Chat Messenger is provided free of charge and can be downloaded and used with a generic "Yahoo ID" which also allows access to other Yahoo services, such as Yahoo Mail and Yahoo chat etc.

Google Talk Instant Messenger
Google Talk, an Instant Messenger from Google, allows you to make voice calls and transfer files, Instant message friends, family, and business contacts. You can even add the Google Talk Gadget to your web page or blog. Offline messaging allows users to send messages to their contacts, even if they are not signed in.

Windows Live Messenger
Windows Live Messenger (WLM), (its previous name was MSN Messenger or MSN Chat for short), is an instant messaging client for Windows XP, Windows Server 2003, Windows Vista, and Windows Mobile, first released on December 13, 2005 by Microsoft.

Meebo Ajax All in One Instant Messenger
Meebo is a Trillian like all in one IM however with Meebo there is no download and all the features operate from their website giving you access to instant messaging from absolutely anywhere. Meebo includes the ability to sign on invisibly and to connect to multiple services all at once with no firewall issues.

AIM Instant Messenger
AOL Instant Messenger allows Internet users to communicate via private, personalized text messages, and indicates when friends, family members, and business colleagues are online. AOL Instant Messenger combines AOL's Buddy List and Instant Message features, enabling users to send and respond to messages immediately and the ability to share files, pictures and links etc.

MySpaceIM - Instant Messenger for MySpace Users
The all new IM from MySpace allows you to IM (Instant Message) any of your MySpace friends at any time. Like most IM's you receive instant alerts for all add to friends requests, messages, and comments. You can also find and view any of your friends' MySpace profiles from your friends list.

Jabber Instant Messenger
Unlike many other messaging networks, Jabber allows you to use the same account and log on multiple times simultaneously. For example, you might have a client at home, one at work, and one on your mobile phone. Any or all of them can be connected at any one time. The resource is to identify each of these individual clients.

Trillian all in One Instant Messenger
The Trillian all in one IM program was originally created by Cerulean Studios and released July 1, 2000 as a freeware IRC client. Trillian Astra lets you log in to multiple instant messaging systems. Trillian can be skinned (customized) and comes with an easy to use modern looking interface.

iChat - Instant Messaging for Mac Users
iChat AV is an Instant Messaging program for Mac users bundled with Mac OS X that Uses a Jabber like protocol and Bonjour for user discovery. In addition to text chat, iChat has support for both audio and video conferencing via an iSight for video or any audio source for audio conferencing.

Skype Instant Messenger
Not only does Skype offer cheap phone calls worldwide and FREE Skype to Skype calls using your computer, they now also offer a free Skype Instant Messenger (IM) with free one-to-one video calls. Skype now comes with video calling so you can see who you are talking to. As long as you and the person you call both have webcams.

MSN NetMeeting Setup Information
Microsoft NetMeeting is a complete VoIP Internet conferencing solution for Windows users with both text and voice chat, multi-point data conferencing, whiteboard, and file transfers. NetMeeting can be used by anyone for free and is regarded as an excellent tool for corporate productivity. If you wish to participate in an audio/video conference, you will need a webcam and microphone connected to your computer.