Instant messaging (ETR 4683)

Instant messaging (IM) is a form of real-time communication between two or more people based on typed text. The text is conveyed via devices connected over a network such as the Internet.

Instant messaging (IM) are technologies that create the possibility of real-time text-based communication between two or more participants over the internet or some form of internal network/intranet.

It is important to understand that what separates chat and instant messaging from technologies such as e-mail is the perceived synchronicity of the communication by the user-Chat happens in real-time IM allows effective and efficient communication, featuring immediate receipt of acknowledgment or reply.

Instant messaging actually predates the Internet, first appearing on multi-user operating systems like CTSS and Multicast in the mid-1960s. Initially, many of these systems, such as CTSS'.SAVED, were used as notification systems for services like printing, but quickly were used to facilitate communication with other users logged in to the same machine.

Standard free instant messaging applications offer functions like file transfer, contact lists, the ability to have simultaneous conversations and etc. Most attempts at creating a unified standard for the major IM providers (AOL, Yahoo! and Microsoft) have failed and each continues to use its own proprietary protocol.

Mobile Instant Messaging (MIM) is a presence enabled messaging service that aims to transpose the desktop messaging experience to the usage scenario of being on the move.

Users sometimes make use of internet slang or texts speak to abbreviate common words or expressions in order to quicken conversations or to reduce keystrokes. The language has become universal, with well known expressions such as 'loll' translated over to face to face language.

Instant messaging has proven to be similar to personal computers, e-mail, and the World Wide Web.IM products can typically be categorized into two types: Enterprise Instant Messaging (EIM) and Consumer Instant Messaging (CIM).