Section 15.1. Instant Messaging: An Introduction

15.1. Instant Messaging: An Introduction

Instant messaging programs, shown in Figure 15-1, work like email, but instantly . You type a short message in your IM program, click a button, and your words pop up on your friend's screen, whether he lives in Paris or the cubicle next to yours.

Figure 15-1. AOL Instant Messenger (top left) and iChat (top right) are two popular IM programs. In either program, you add your friends ' screen names to your Buddy List. When a pal is online, his screen name is displayed in bold; the names of absent friends are dimmed or listed in the Offline area of the Buddy List. When you see buddies online, you can send them a message that pops up right on their screens. Thus begins the conversation.
Bottom: A discussion in progress inside the AIM window.

Some people love instant messaging; others find it too casual and intrusive . Love it or hate it, instant messaging has attracted more than 400 million people for several reasons.

First, it's free, which is always a plus. Also, it lets you know at a glance who among your friends is currently sitting at their PC, letting you fire off a quick message and avoid telephone tag. It's a multitasker's dream; you can simultaneously hold several instant message conversations while talking on the phone and motioning to coworkers not to drink all the coffee.

Although instant messaging programs started as a way to swap text messages, they've expanded their powers considerably. Now these programs let you swap files as well (Section 15.2.8). If your computer has a microphone (Section 18.1.1)or if your head has a headsetyou can talk with your friends, too (in the traditional vocal-cords sense).

And if you're up for connecting a small Web cam or camcorder, you can even create the videophone (Section 15.2.7.1) that comic books have promised us for years .