Instant messaging is a type of communications service that enables you to create a kind of private chat room with another individual in order to communicate in real time over the Internet. This can be Abbreviated as 'IM' , This is analagous to a telephone conversation but using text-based, not voice-based, communication. Typically, the instant messaging system alerts you whenever somebody on your private list is online. You can then initiate a chat session with that particular individual.
Chat/Instant Messaging Features:
Windows live messenger
One of the key features that windows live messenger provide is organising you contacts. This feature will allow people to different contacts into different groups as shown in the screenshot to the right. The brackets (0/6) is telling the user that 0 out of the 6 people are offline, by doing this you can access your friends easier and quicker. By structuring the groups accordingly you can clearly see the contacts that you talk to the most.
Sharing folders:
Sharing Folders will be a new and simple way for people to share personal photos, documents, and files with their Messenger contacts. You can 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 (provided by a Microsoft partner) 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. You will be able to make PC-to-PC calls for free, with no need to sign up for a Windows Live phone call account, so long as you and your Messenger contact both have compatible speakers and microphones (or headsets).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.DBabble
DBabble is a powerful instant messaging and discussion / chat server and client which allows users to send instant messages and attachments, have private conversations, and create/participate in private or public meeting rooms and discussions in real time Faster and easier than Email, the DBabble communications solution is ideal for Internet Service Providers and large or small companies wanting to deliver the benefits of real time communications to their organization and users. DBabble is easily customizable, does not require direct internet access, and can be run stand alone on a small company network or integrated into large scale internet services provided by ISP's or corporations.
Features:
- Translate to any language, customize every piece of English text, or use one of our supplied translations for Spanish, German, French, Italian, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Russian, Portuguese, and Danish.
- Chat rooms that can be optionally moderated
- Customize the Windows client to have any name other than DBabble, use whatever background image, font, and color scheme you want and change every piece of text visible to users.
- Hide features you don't use so that your users are not overwhelmed with too many features. Option to allow users to show the hidden features if they want to.
- Private conversation feature, where users can see text as the other user is typing it - even in the web browser interface.
- A very customizable interface. There are many user preferences to change the layout of the interface to best suit the way in which each person uses DBabble.
- Send text messages to mobile phones.
Although these two are well known instant messaging services there are other networks that provide a chat service such as social networks like Facebook.
Facebook provides a chat option as shown on the screenshot on the right. This allows people to talk to people via chat who are online at the time. It is free to use the chat service but to use this you need to have a Facebook account and can only to talk to people that are your confirmed friends and online at the time. When people are online and available to talk there will be a green circle next to their name this makes people aware that they are there to talk to. If they haven't spoken to anyone in a while there will be a grey crescent next to there name, this means that they are online but haven't been talking.
Advantages & Disadvantages of instant messaging
Advantages:
- Easy to use.
- Its real Time, fast and instant responses.
- You can speak to the people you want to (creating your own buddy list).
- Free to send messages don't have to pay to people like you would via phone calls or text messaging.
- Instant messaging systems offer a safer environment than chat rooms.
- It is possible to talk to more than one person at once.
Disadvantages:
- Security risks such as: Message interception, virus via file transfer (bypasses virus scanning).
- Privacy concerns.
- Can be distracting for many people.
- Lack administration.
- Messages can intercepted.
- Always need a computer and network connection.
"Messaging programs bring instant risk"
"Online child safety drive launched"
"The aim is to stop paedophiles "grooming" youngsters online."
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/2629611.stm
Chat
Internet chat rooms allow you to communicate with different kinds of people from all over the world. They allow you to meet different kinds of people who share similar interests, goals, hobbies and desires. Internet chats can also be a great learning center ( e.g. chatting forums) where people can ask questions and receive answers on products and services, computer troubleshooting and more.
Single chat rooms are probably the most common chats on the internet. They managed and run by dating websites. Video/Webcam chats are also common forms of chatting because they allow you to view your contact as you chat. While video chatting is the most interactive form of chatting, they are also the most dangerous. Other Internet chats include business chat rooms which allow speedy exchange of trade stock tips and business related information. Christian chat rooms are other popular chats which users turn to for fellowship and good conversation.
Features
•Internet chats not only allow you to send and receive instant messages, they also allow you to share pictures, and files. Some Internet chat rooms include emoticons which are smiley faces used to describe what your present emotion is. Some Internet chats include sound effects which range from serious to silly and allow you to. Other chat rooms allow you to change color combinations to create a theme or background that works for you as you are chatting.
Warnings
•Do not provide strangers with personal information when using Internet chat rooms. In this day and age when identity theft and fraud are of great concerns, it is important to protect personal information at all costs. If you have children who use chat rooms, monitor the conversations and the people they communicates with. There are many Internet predators, pedophiles and sex offenders who send explicit information and pictures to underage children. Always read the rules and regulations before using chat rooms.
Alerts
Alerts let you know when you receive an IM, when someone on your messenger list comes on or goes offline, when you receive e-mail, or when your calendar shows an upcoming event. To set an alert:
By using stealth settings and ignoring unwanted contacts, you can help ensure your privacy and security. Stealth settings allow you to appear offline to some contacts and online to others. To set this, start by right-clicking on the group name or contact. Select "Stealth Settings," and choose online, offline or permanently offline. Click "OK" to finish. You'll know you appear offline to a certain contact or group if their name is in italics in your messenger list.
You can block messages from a single contact or up to 100 by ignoring them. You'll always appear to be offline to them. First, though, you have to delete the contact from your messenger list. Here's how you can block, or ignore, someone.
Avatars, audibles and IMVironments (themed IM window backgrounds) let you make Yahoo Messenger your own. An avatar is a character that you can personalize by changing its physical appearance, clothes, accessories and backgrounds and then show as your personal icon on Yahoo Messenger.
To create and customize your avatar, go to http://avatars.yahoo.com/. To display the avatar in IMs and the messenger list, follow these steps:
Go to the Messenger menu, select "Preferences" and click on "Display Image." Click the Avatar box to show your avatar, and select "Enable display images everywhere" to see pictures and avatars from your contacts.
Audibles are talking animated characters you can send in an IM to comment or make a joke. Click the lips icon below the conversation window to access the audibles. Click the Send button above the one you want to send. Click "More Audibles" to see them all.
An IMVironment (IMV) is a themed conversation window that you select. You and your contacts can see your IMV every time you IM. Your messages print over IMVs like Fishtank, which is animated with swimming fish. The Doodle IMV lets you and your contact draw in color on the same canvas, while other IMVs let you play interactive games together.
Webcams
Webcam capabilities let you view a contact's webcam video or send your own. Viewing someone else's webcam is easy. Just click "Contact" in the IM window and select "Contact Options" and "View Webcam." Sending your own is more complicated. For specific requirements, see Yahoo Messenger's Webcam Help section.
Yahoo Messenger also offers tools to simplify instant messaging -- and make it more fun.
Chat
Internet chat rooms allow you to communicate with different kinds of people from all over the world. They allow you to meet different kinds of people who share similar interests, goals, hobbies and desires. Internet chats can also be a great learning center ( e.g. chatting forums) where people can ask questions and receive answers on products and services, computer troubleshooting and more.
Single chat rooms are probably the most common chats on the internet. They managed and run by dating websites. Video/Webcam chats are also common forms of chatting because they allow you to view your contact as you chat. While video chatting is the most interactive form of chatting, they are also the most dangerous. Other Internet chats include business chat rooms which allow speedy exchange of trade stock tips and business related information. Christian chat rooms are other popular chats which users turn to for fellowship and good conversation.
Features
•Internet chats not only allow you to send and receive instant messages, they also allow you to share pictures, and files. Some Internet chat rooms include emoticons which are smiley faces used to describe what your present emotion is. Some Internet chats include sound effects which range from serious to silly and allow you to. Other chat rooms allow you to change color combinations to create a theme or background that works for you as you are chatting.
Warnings
Yahoo Messenger Features
With Yahoo Messenger features, Yahoo gives you options beyond the basics of instant messaging. You can set Yahoo Messenger to alert you of incoming messages or e-mail. You can protect your privacy, personalize with IMVironments and avatars or add webcam features. Here's more about each of these features.Alerts
Alerts let you know when you receive an IM, when someone on your messenger list comes on or goes offline, when you receive e-mail, or when your calendar shows an upcoming event. To set an alert:
- Go to the Messenger menu, select "Preferences," click "Alerts" and select "Enable Alert Sounds."
- Pick when you want an alert, using the Event menu.
- Choose the type of alert you want for each event. This can be a sound from the menu or one you add yourself.
- Close the window to finish.
By using stealth settings and ignoring unwanted contacts, you can help ensure your privacy and security. Stealth settings allow you to appear offline to some contacts and online to others. To set this, start by right-clicking on the group name or contact. Select "Stealth Settings," and choose online, offline or permanently offline. Click "OK" to finish. You'll know you appear offline to a certain contact or group if their name is in italics in your messenger list.
You can block messages from a single contact or up to 100 by ignoring them. You'll always appear to be offline to them. First, though, you have to delete the contact from your messenger list. Here's how you can block, or ignore, someone.
- Click on the Messenger menu, select "Preferences" and then "Ignore List." Choose "Ignore only the people below."
- Click on "Add" and enter the Yahoo ID of the person you want to ignore.
- To finish, click "Ignore" and "OK."
- To later stop ignoring the person, enter the contact's ID and click "Remove."
Avatars, audibles and IMVironments (themed IM window backgrounds) let you make Yahoo Messenger your own. An avatar is a character that you can personalize by changing its physical appearance, clothes, accessories and backgrounds and then show as your personal icon on Yahoo Messenger.
 Image courtesy of Yahoo Yahoo Messenger extras like imvironments allow users to customize the appearance of their messenger screens. |
To create and customize your avatar, go to http://avatars.yahoo.com/. To display the avatar in IMs and the messenger list, follow these steps:
Go to the Messenger menu, select "Preferences" and click on "Display Image." Click the Avatar box to show your avatar, and select "Enable display images everywhere" to see pictures and avatars from your contacts.
Audibles are talking animated characters you can send in an IM to comment or make a joke. Click the lips icon below the conversation window to access the audibles. Click the Send button above the one you want to send. Click "More Audibles" to see them all.
An IMVironment (IMV) is a themed conversation window that you select. You and your contacts can see your IMV every time you IM. Your messages print over IMVs like Fishtank, which is animated with swimming fish. The Doodle IMV lets you and your contact draw in color on the same canvas, while other IMVs let you play interactive games together.
Webcams
Webcam capabilities let you view a contact's webcam video or send your own. Viewing someone else's webcam is easy. Just click "Contact" in the IM window and select "Contact Options" and "View Webcam." Sending your own is more complicated. For specific requirements, see Yahoo Messenger's Webcam Help section.
Yahoo Messenger also offers tools to simplify instant messaging -- and make it more fun.
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