Wow what a massive waste of time IMs are -- let your teenage kids use one and watch the grades nosedive! If you're retired fine, otherwise you should intuitively realize what an interruption-fest an IM buddy list can be. Yes, you can turn them off if you intend to use your computer to actually get some work done. I say pick up the phone and have a meaningful conversation and leave the IM chit-chat to the gossip mongers and timewasters. The fact you will certainly need multiple IM clients should also tell you all need to know about this gimmick.
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General discussion
3/3/06 What's the best instant messenger?
Hi! I've just retired and have much more time on my hands, so I'm trying something new. I'm fairly new to all this computer and Internet stuff, and I hear a lot about instant messaging as a great way to keep in touch with friends and family and to meet new people. How is this different from e-mail? Is it safe? What are the risks involved in using messaging programs? What are the best ones? Are they all free? If I decide to get one, I'd like to know my options before choosing. Thanks for any advice!
Julie K. of Roanoke, Virginia
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Answer:
Welcome to the wide world of Internet, and its various wonders!
Instant messaging is best thought of as the computer's equivalent of CB radio, albeit done with typing, not voice. Basically, you find a "channel" (sometimes called a room) if you want to do a public chat, or you can watch for friends and initiate private chat with them if they are online.
Let's say you are BigFisherman (your "screenname" or "chat handle"). You logged into the chat network and in your buddy list is WaderLover your fishing buddy. You were browsing the net when the messenger beeped... Your buddy just logged in and your messenger is notifying you as you had set it up to. You want to know how his fishing trip went, so you double click on his name to establish a connection.
Once a connection is established, you get a small window where each person types their own message, and it shows up on both machines. So you end up with something like this:
BigFisherman: So how was your fishing trip today?
WaderLover: Weather's perfect, but the fishies ain't biting
BigFisherman: Really? Must be your lures. What were you trying for?
WaderLover: Trout. I have this custom lure I got from my friend, who...
Well, you get the idea. You type one sentence, they type one sentence, and the result appears almost instantaneously on each other's computer. Thus, instant messaging! If you use mobile phones, it's rather similar to the SMS text messaging on those, except IM is a bit more interactive, as you can see a full conversation going on. It's such fun, that some of the more modern mobile phones can actually do instant messaging, and chat with PCs in near real-time!
As you can imagine, this is quite a bit different from e-mail. E-mail is a bit slower, longer, more... deliberate. E-mails are like letters whereas IM is more like... chat. Clearly, if you know how to type you'll get more out of IM.
Instant messenger programs fall into a few major networks: AOL Instant Messenger (also called AIM), Microsoft IM, and Yahoo! Messenger. They each have their own program and operate their own network, and are not compatible with each other. It's like 3 cell phone companies whose customers cannot call each other if they are using different companies! There are a few independents out there like ICQ (say it like "I seek You") and GoogleChat and others, as well as a few "unified" attempts like GAIM and Trillian. The "unified" attempts operate over multiple networks.
If you've never used IM before, you'll need to choose one of the big camps, download their specific IM program, and register your "handle" or screenname, as AOL calls it. By this time, all the good ones are probably taken, so you'll probably end up with something like BigFisherman3642 or something like that. But be creative (try not to use your name though).
As instant messengers run in the background and you tend to keep them open, they are rapidly gaining in all sorts of abilities, like showing you real-time stock quotes, sports scores, news headlines, and quite a few ads, as well as additional communication abilities like video chat and even ability to place Internet phone calls (separate subscription and or hardware are probably required).
In general, messenger programs are quite safe, as they don't transfer any code, (i.e. program), just text, but some of the messengers let you send files to your friends, and receive them as well. Fortunately, that can be turned off completely. There were supposedly a few IM viruses that exploit the ability to link to certain websites and such, but you can turn those off in the security settings as well. Basically, NEVER click on any URLs and such unless you can trust the referrer. That security tip applies anywhere... on websites, in e-mail, even in IM.
The IM clients are mostly free, especially the single-network ones. The multi-network clients that are still in testing are free, but they may charge later. Also, the messengers may contain additional-cost features like video, Internet phone calls, and so on. Pure chat is free though.
As for which one to use... It really depends on who are you likely to be chatting with and if they are already on a certain network. It doesn't hurt to run multiple IM programs, it just makes your desktop look a bit cluttered. My cousin routinely runs 3 instant messengers together, and holds about 6-7 simultaneous chats with her various friends. The big 3 (AIM, MSNM, and Y!M) are constantly improving their products, and new features are constantly being added and bugs addressed.
I'd advise you to check with your friends and family who are already using an instant messenger and join that network, and keep each other in the "buddy list", so you can just track each other, and try the whole thing out.
Have fun, and again, welcome to the wide world of Internet!
Submitted by: Kasey C. of San Francisco, CA
Discussion is locked
61 - 90 of 87 Posts
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Just a natural introvert or do you not have any IM friends? It is a wonderful tool for entertainment and for business. Even the u.s. government uses IM.
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My son chats with his friends daily - and he still gets top notch grades! Sometimes I do need to remind him about homework but the problem is no worse than if he was doing something else, like playing games or watching telly: its all about learning to keep technology in perspective and self disipline. As long as IM doesn't become an obsession that shuts out the real life, what's the harm? And I'd rather he chats via IM than runs a huge phone bill, like my eldest son did before we had Internet and IM
I sometimes worry about who he is talking to but we have had a chat about internet security and the fact that you don't really know who the other person is, even after several months. If you follow the same rules as talking to strangers (replace sweets with grooming and bad files), you are safe. In fact, while my son is on the computer, he is not out somewhere where he can get into bad company or some other real trouble - and he doesn't stay out late because he doesn't want the conversation to end. Instant messaging means he stays out of smokey pubs and doesn't hang out on the streets, catching cold (in winter).
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I would rate ICQ as the best one still up-to-date which is being replicated by the other 3 messengers. A cool feature is the synchronous chat that none could replicate. Each letter that is being typed by the other person will appear on your screen instead of hitting the Enter Button everytime and yeah the default typing sound too gives a real-time feel.
Besides Advanced search like zip code and features that have not been replicated yet by other messengers I would still vote it as the #1 community for instant messaging. If you still want to be with Yahoo, MSN and AOL then go for Trillian and there will be less clutter with more consitency of seeing your buddies together. Another feature of trillian is that you can log into 2 accounts of the same instant messenger at the same time which none, AOL, MSN or Yahoo would allow a user to do..Hmmmm
Thanks for your time,
Bye, Dino.
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Essentially, all IM services can be viewed as running off the same idea - instant messaging. Yes, they're all free, yes, they're all received instantly, yes, you can talk to anyone in the world at any time you are both online, yes, you can have a live conversation with a webcam or microphone, yes, you can connect to your inbox. The major decision you have to make is "who do I want to be connected to?" Aside from all the, yes, the cute graphics or the super annoying sounds they make when a message is received or who updates their program most frequently or who has encrypted communication, the most important thing you need to sort out is connectivity.
The concept isn't that hard to get - a service that is "totally free" where you talk to anyone over the internet. The only foundational difference between services is connectivity. All my friends use MSN Messenger; therefore, I use MSN Messenger. Sure, Yahoo! could have x features that MSN Messenger doesn't, but why the heck would I get it if I have no one to talk to? So you want to be connected to everyone, get a convergent IM program. Which one should you get? That's all up to your patience, but the first thing you need to prioritize is your connectivity. Even if the program you choose turns out to be crappy, the only thing that matters is you're talking to the people you wanted/needed to. It's like marriage, it doesn't matter what you're doing, as long as you're with the one you want to be with.
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Essentially, all IM services can be viewed as running off the same idea - instant messaging. Yes, they're all free, yes, they're all received instantly, yes, you can talk to anyone in the world at any time you are both online, yes, you can have a live conversation with a webcam or microphone, yes, you can connect to your inbox. The major decision you have to make is "who do I want to be connected to?" Aside from all the, yes, the cute graphics or the super annoying sounds they make when a message is received or who updates their program most frequently or who has encrypted communication, the most important thing you need to sort out is connectivity.
The concept isn't that hard to get - a service that is "totally free" where you talk to anyone over the internet. The only foundational difference between services is connectivity. All my friends use MSN Messenger; therefore, I use MSN Messenger. Sure, Yahoo! could have x features that MSN Messenger doesn't, but why the heck would I get it if I have no one to talk to? So you want to be connected to everyone, get a convergent IM program. Which one should you get? That's all up to your patience, but the first thing you need to prioritize is your connectivity. Even if the program you choose turns out to be crappy, the only thing that matters is you're talking to the people you wanted/needed to. It's like marriage, it doesn't matter what you're doing, as long as you're with the one you want to be with.
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Ciao!
you forgot Skype, with more than 50 M users it's not a small community, even if it's more voice and video oriented, IM is also widely used.
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I suggest you look into becoming a counselor with SCORE, the free consulting arm of the US Sm Bus Adm. The office in Roanoke is at 250 Franklin Road, Federal Building, Room 716 PHONE: (540) 857-2834
If you wish to know more about SCORE, go to www.score.org.
Alan
Alan J. Zell, Ambassador Of Selling
azell@aol.com
Winner of the Murray Award for Markteting Excellence
Member, PNW Sales & Marketing Group
Member, Institute of Management Consultants
You are invited to learn about programs and services and
article on business topics that affect selling at www.sellingselling .com
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I use Skype.com as my main program now, but I also use PalTalk.com, MSN messanger,AOL,Yahoo,ICQ, Trillian they are ok but I like Skype.com the best, The others I have used more in the past But since I started using Skype.com it has been the most rewarding so far and I will keep it as my primary program it is more versitale IMO and my friends and family too.
Mike
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Just FYI -- in my opinion it's also helpful if people use some basic courtesies when IM-ing each other.
For example: Tap your friend on his/her virtual shoulder before launching into a conversation -- just like you might do at a crowded party.
You might want to start your conversation with something like this:
"Hey WaderLover, can u chat for a second?"
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As davevideolevin started his message with an acronym, you will have to learn to shorten practically every word + learn a lots of standard acronyms if you want to talk with someone that is used to chat with using IM. I assume this is because typing takes more time that talking to someone and abreviation is a desperate attempt to bridge the gap.
Some people who's spelling and grammar is no so good to start with, often forget the correct spelling and seem less capable of proper sentences. I have definitely noticed the deterioration of spelling, especially with the young ones. The language I use every day is not my native tongue and I have had little formal tuition on it, yet I help peers to spell everyday words almost daily. Needless to say, despite my resistance,Internet chat acronyms do slip into even my typing.
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Hello,
I'm replying to the question asked by Julie K. about which instant message is the best. I have and use both Yahoo and Microsoft (MSN) Messenger. My preference is Yahoo Messanger but the other is good also. I find Yahoo has more features and is pretty safe if you have your settings set the way you want. I truly know you'll enjoy it Hope this helps!!
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i have the 4 main messengers on my computer and the # 1 is ICQ because it is the only one that lets me send a message to people that are NOT on line. my friends & family live in europa, asia, australia and the time difference of 8 - 15 hr makes this function verry verry conveniant.
ciao hitsch
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To people on the other side of the world all the time, and I use yahoo. I also have a couple of other chat clients. Yam chat is one. Also Yhelite
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I have contacts in Yahoo, MSN and ICQ. I read about Trillian on this forum and have recently down loaded it. It works really well and now, each time I load Trillian, it connects to all 3 IM sytems which means I only have 1 system to load and not 3.
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<<Personally I think the best messenger is ICQ>>
But MSN BigAnt AOL GoogleTalk is more popular in the world.
Most of my friends and families use MSN for a long time.And in company most people like to use <a href="http://www.bigantsoft.com/">BigAnt</a> or AOL, because they are pretty effective.
You can try this: http://www.bigantsoft.com/
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Thanks a lot for your explanation.
What about Paltalk as one of the messenging provider (like yahoo, AOL)?
Do you like it to use?
Thanks
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I think MSN IM is great. I live in Chicago with family in Indiapolis. By IMing my sisters, I am able to stay in touch at no extra cost, not even long distance charges. We have web cams and mics so when we talk with the cams and mics on it's just like being there. With MSN we can even challenge each other to some very nice free games while chatting. Sometimes we invite other sisters to talk with us, so there might be 4 or 5 of us talking at one time in the same window. Sometimes I send them pictures, music or other files thru messenger. And now they've got this really cool features called ''WINKS'' that allows you to customize messenger with different pictures and effects. So I guess you can see why I love MSN so much.
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Messaging is a very cheap and quick way to make friends and to stay in communication with great peoble in New York as well as in Shanghai or Johannisburg, Moskow and so on. Peoble of all age come together, it is a real free communication with no afraid and no shyness for all men.
In a village in Belgium I can learn by messaging to think like an New Yorker, without any move in space.
Every day! It is very usefull for students and for old peoble too for many reasons. Everybody can find his specific use in mesaging. It don?t depends of age or sexe or money or altitude or attitude or blood pressure or healthy or strongness or weight or height or color or space or time. Try it and you will see that I am right.
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If so, what do you all consider the best IM AV program?
Trying to get our family more connected.
Thank you,
nelanj
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could try paltalk as it allows you to log into MSN Yahoo messenger + ICQ etc
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I have used Yahoo for a long time now and I think it gives you the best service. I never had a problem with them
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Hi; Just want to add my 3 cents. Voice can be fun also. Just pick up a cheap microphone (under $20 bucks) and have at it. Just like the telephone. The one on the other end doesn't have to have a microphone...they can type back. oops! my time is up. CU all later. Ron B.
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I hope its not too late to add to this discussion.
I'd like to get a bit more info on this subject. I've run into difficulties each time I used live chat also known as instant messaging. Reason was Active X. Seems Active X is what allows live chats to occur and it allows all of the garbage (viruses, trojans, worms, spyware etc.) onto your computer. I've shut down instand messenger and active x because twice I had problems that lasted for weeks until I figured it all out. On one occasion I was fighting for control of the mouse with whatever piece of garbage got into my computer and it took a tech from India to get rid of the mess this created.
So, how are others using this feature without running into problems? What else should I know that I don't know now?
Barbara
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hi ya julie just reading and you want to know about what to do on here well there a new messenger program on here now called Glodescene messenger you can google it its really great i use it all the time you can chat play music and all so share pictures in the txt box area alot more features they adding all the time and its great and meeting new friends now is so simple maybe i see you over there.
regards june in new zealand
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