Instant Messenger

Instant messenger (IM)

Instant messaging, often shortened to "IM", is the exchange of text messages through a program in real-time. Generally included in the IM software is the ability to easily see whether a chosen friend is online and connected through the selected service. Instant messaging differs from ordinary e-mail in the speed of the message exchange and also makes a continued exchange simpler than sending e-mail back and forth which is much easier when trying to have a real-time chat. Most exchanges are text-only, though popular services, such as AOL, MSN Messenger, Yahoo! Messenger and Apple's iChat now allow voice messaging, file sharing and even video chat when both users have cameras.

Windows Live Messenger

Windows Live Messenger genereally known as MSN, is probably the most used instant messenger to date with millions of people around the globe using it. The reason for this is because it was near enough the first real IM which allowed people to talk to each other in real time for free. This was prefered by many simply because of the lack of cost but also because of the many great features it has to offer.

Sharing folders


Sharing Folders will be a new and simple way for you to share personal photos, documents, and files with your Messenger contacts. You will be able to create a Sharing Folder by simply dragging files onto a contact name in Messenger. This will create an exact copy of the files on both you and your contact's computers, and create a Sharing Folder that can be accessed from Messenger, and on the desktop.

Voice calling


This feature will let users who sign up for Windows Live phone call to easily call landline and mobile phones. You will be able to set up a Windows Live Call account through the Messenger interface and start making calls within minutes. You will be able to purchase minutes upfront, then add minutes when your balance runs low. One of the great things about this will be that you will be able to use it to make really affordable domestic and international calls.

Offline messaging

You will be able to send messages to your contacts even when they're offline. They will receive the message as soon as they sign in again.

Yahoo! Messenger

Yahoo! Messenger is also similarly another free instant messaging service allowing people around the globe to chat with each other. They need to download a copy of the software and with that create a generic Yahoo! ID which people will recognise that person with. This ID will allow people to access other Yahoo! services such as Email, this is very helpful as it saves time creating seperate accounts for all the different sevices Yahoo! have to offer. It, like Windows Live Messenger has many great features such as:

Yahoo! Voice

Yahoo! Voice is a Voice over PC-to-PC, PC-to-Phone and Phone-to-PC service, provided by Yahoo! via its Yahoo! Messenger instant messaging application. The ability to make PC-to-PC and PC-to-Phone calls is available worldwide. 

Voicemail and file sharing

Yahoo! added voicemail and file sending capabilities to their client. File-sharing of sizes up to 2GB was added to Yahoo messenger.

Yahoo! Music Radio

Yahoo! Messenger users can listen to free and paid Internet radio services, using the official Yahoo! Music Radio plug-in from within the messenger window. The plug-in also allows full player functionality, such as play, pause, skip and rate this song. This feature is helpful, as it allows people to play the radio in the windows they are in rather than searching for a radio station on the internet.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Instant Messaging

Advantages

• Easy to use.
• It's in real-time so there are instant responses.
• It's free to use wherever you are.
• You can talk to many people at the same time.
• Great way to keep in touch with people around the world.

Disadvantages

• Privacy Concerns when talking.
• Always need a computer and a fast enough network connection.
• Can be a distraction.

News Stories

"Worm affects AOL instant messages"

"Users of America Online's instant messenger are being warned about a worm spreading via the chat network. The Windows worm installs spyware programs and turns over control of the machine to the creator of the virus. Studies show that malicious programs designed to attack instant message networks have grown dramatically over the past 12 months. But some security firms say the threat to users of these chat systems is still relatively low."

"'Bebo abuse' school worker jailed"


"Brian Syme admitting targeting more than 90 victims A school support worker who posed as a teenage girl on the web to entice boys to send him indecent images of themselves has been jailed. Brian Syme, 32, befriended dozens of youngsters online by setting up Bebo profiles as two teenage girls. Lady Stacey said he was guilty of a "gross breach of trust" and sentenced him to four years and eight months. Clackmannanshire Council said that Syme, from Alloa, had been dismissed from his job in December 2009. At a court hearing in July, the school worker was caught as part of an investigation by Central Scotland Police and admitted targeting more than 90 victims. He also admitted possessing indecent photographs or pseudo-photographs of children, and taking or permitting such photos to be taken between 1 January 2006 and 11 December, 2009."

Courtesy of BBC News