What is “I.M.” and “Instant Messaging”?
July, 2011 “IM” – short for “instant messaging” – is a real-time communication service between desktop computers. IM has evolved from the public online chat rooms of the 1990’s and 2000’s, and become quite sophisticated and very common. IM is even used as productivity software in many companies. Some of the big IM players include Microsoft Lync, Trillian, Brosix, Digsby, AIM, Gtalk, and Nimbuzz. IM desktop software works somewhat like email and smartphone text messaging, but with the speed of a private chat room. Both parties are online at the same time, and they “talk” to each other by typing text and sending small pictures in instantaneous time. IM is based on special small programs that two separate people install, and those programs connect to beam typed messages to each other. This special software allows you to message your online friends in other rooms, other cities, and even other countries. The software uses the same cables and network as any web page or email connection. As l
