Instant+Messaging



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=What is instant messaging?=

Instant messaging is a communications service supplied over the Internet which enables its users to converse in real-time using text-based messages (Webopedia). This service is provided free through a number of downloadable applications which include MSN Messenger, [|Yahoo! Messenger], [|ICQ], [|AOL Instant Messenger] and [|Google Talk]. Each of these services uses a different protocol however, which means you will only be able to talk to someone using the same program you are. Most instant messaging programs follow an approach wherein it contains a buddy list which stores all of your private contacts, system alerts to tell you when they are online and the ability to open a private chat session with a contact (Webopedia). Even online communities like MySpace.com and Catch27.com have their own versions of instant messaging that only registered users of their programs can use to communicate privately without having to post messages letting a general public see the message. In addition to the basics, most instant messaging providers have added in features to keep up with the ever increasing technological innovations. These features include Voice Over IP communication, video conferencing, and file transfers. Instant messaging falls into the category of groupware which includes programs that allow that are spread out remotely to collaboratively work together (SearchDomino). There are also websites which have been developed based on instant messaging software. Messenger Geeks is an example of a website whose sole purpose is to bring simplicity to finding out things, somewhat private in nature (before websites, such as this one, came into existence, a more complex hacking knoweldgebase would be required to do such things). =History=

Instant messaging has been present in some form since the early 1970's, with the creation of command line applications allowing the transmission of messages from one computer to the other. The first truely popular application to allow instant messaging in a syncronous and recognisably IM manner was IRC, created August 1988 in Finland. Users could not only chat to each other via large groups in "channels", but also privately in one on one conversations. As well, users could send files to each other in a "direct" manner, without the bottlenecks inherant in several other transfer methods. This was the birthplace of the emoticon, textual symbols representing emotion that are now often shown pictorally in graphical based systems. Though chat engines grew and proliferated, chatting online was viewed as a 'geeky' activity, possibly because of the crude nature of simplified chatting systems and the high barrier to entry on the more complex types. years passed before instant messaging was expanded to the realm of the layman. In 1996, four israeli programmers came together to create what the industry refers to as one of the next "killer apps" for the internet. They created ICQ, an instant messaging program with an intuitive interface and a very low learning curve. ICQ's popularity exploded, and by 1997 it had achieved over 100,000 users online at any given time. Noting it's popularity, AOL (not yet AOL Time Warner) bought ICQ and it's parent company Miribilis in 1998. Using its technology, AOL created AOL instant messenger. The rest of the big players followed the lead. Microsoft followed suit in 1999 with MSN Messenger, and later yahoo! and a host of other large companies.

=How it works=

All instant messaging programs work on the same premise. There are two parts to the system: the client and the server. The client is the software the user installs on their computer and the server acts as a switchboard which controls message traffic and stores user data (Looksmart 2003). When a person wants to log onto the program it validates the user information provided with the information on the server, if correct the user is logged in. Once this happens the client software sends the server the user’s IP address, port number and buddy list (SearchDomino). This allows the server to create a temporary session and checks to see which people from your buddy list are online. After this is done it tells the client who is online and also tells everyone on the client’s list that they are also online (SearchDomino). What seems like a very long and tedious process actually happens very quickly and users are able to chat within seconds.

=Now and in the Future=

Currently there are many different clients, including regionalised clients such as [|QQ] in China. Google, usually an innovative leader, has just recently stepped into the instant messaging ring with their program, Google Talk. The companies behind these programs are constantly vying for user base by adding new features. IM staples such as emoticons, webcam and audio chat support are now considered standard. Not as standard are such items as emoticon like voice clips and handwriting support. Several possibilities for the future include VoIP (voice over IP) and web conferencing, two items that until now have been addressed only as seperate programs. These features and the bandwidth often associated with them must be balanced against the precarious selection and integration of advertising. Too much will leave users going to the competition, or free IM replacements that handle multiple protocols and functions, while possibly providing richer features. As in the business world, these two related goals might end in monopoly. Rumour has it that Microsoft and Yahoo! may integrate their chat protocols by mid 2006, allowing cross compatibility and leaving the door open for an overarching messaging system the two could then offer in tandem. This would lower costs, distribute bandwidth evenly, and create a larger advertising base for both companies.

=Social Effects of Instant Messaging (Students)=

This is targeted mainly at students because currently, there is an extremely high rate of students using Instant Messaging as one of their maing sources of communication. If one were to ask a typical college or university student what is their most favourite means of communication, majority of them will answer instant messaging as one of their top choices. Schools these days are becoming extremely technology-dependent and with the ease of access to computers and the Internet, it makes it very much easy to simply go on Msn messenger, Yahoo Instant messenger or AOL messenger. This primary means of communication has had an adverse effect on students' lives and then their effect on face-t-face communication. There are different factors that are taken into consideration with instant messaging that contribute to its effects on socialization. It seems to be, there is an evident trend in being able to "talk" to someone more easily online than face to face. Many students find it easier to deal with situations, issues, and concerns online just so they don't have to face any consequences that one would have to face while communicating in person. It is unquestionably much easier to say something in a window where one doesn't have to see the person's instant reaction that to say it to their face. But what about things like typing something that one didn't mean to say, but its too late to take it back because it has already been sent or "entered"(in IM language). How is one suppose to detect sarcasm, anger, happiness and a number of other emotions? Some of these concerns were aided by the formation of emoticons that try to express the feelings of the user communicating online. At the end of the day, these effects are far too small to worry about because overall they have had a positive impact on these student's lives in helping them keep in touch with their old and new buddies. "Instant Messaging has become firmly entrenched in the social and schoolwork practices of teens and has been brought to college and work. In addition, IM is beginning to prove its worth as a valuable coordinating and collaborating tool with potential uses to communicate directly with students." (Guidry, Kevin R.)

=Online Language (Abbreviations)=

In the age of instant messaging and chatrooms and other forms of online communication, a new language of sorts have been created. In order to save time and effort words and phrases have been short formed to abbreviations. Below are a few of these examples:
 * brb** - Be Right Back
 * ttyl** - Talk to you later
 * nvm (nm)** - Nevermind
 * lmao** - Laughing my (behind) off
 * b4 -** Before
 * w/o -** Without
 * omg -** Oh my god
 * g2g or gtg -** got to go
 * idc -** I don't care
 * idk** - I don't know
 * lol** - laugh out loud
 * ppl** - People
 * thnx (thx)** - Thanks
 * np** - No problem
 * n/o** - No offense
 * tmr** - tomorrow
 * wtf** - what the *%&#
 * rofl** - Rolling on the floor laughing
 * stfu**- Shut the *%&# up
 * ty -** thank you
 * l8r** - later For more MSN abbreviations visit [|Chat 101]

=Works Cited=

ICQ.com. The ICQ Story. (n.d.) Retrieved February 23, 2006, from 

IRC.org. IRC History. (n.d.) Retrieved February 23, 2006, from 

Image courtesy of: Google Images. Instant Messaging. Online at: 

Looksmart. "How instant messaging works." [|Information Management Journal] (Nov/Dec 2003): 1 par. 2003 .

SearchDomino. Learn IT: Instant Messaging in the Workplace. (n.d.). Retrieved February 21, 2006, from 

Webopedia. What is instant messaging?. (n.d.). Retrieved February 21, 2006, from 

Guidry, Kevin R. (2004). Student affairs online. //Instant Messaging: Its impact on and Recommendations for Student Affairs.// Online at http://www.studentaffairs.com/ejournal/Fall_2004/InstantMessaging.html, consulted on February 24,2006.