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Instant Message
Are you new to Instant Messaging? Are you trying to figure out how to use your AIM, ICQ, or MSN Messenger? Are you a parent trying to understand what your children are doing online? Then this About web site is for you. Written from the basics up, here is your comprehensive tutorial on understanding Instant Messaging on the Internet.
What is "I.M." and "Instant Messaging"?
IM and instant messaging are the new computer chat. But much more than just 1990's-style chat rooms, today's IM is about high-velocity communications, file transfers, video conferencing, and virtual meetings. About.com explains IM here...
Tutorial: Instant Messaging 101
ICQ, MSN Messenger, AIM... what do all these gadgets do? Can I really chat with my cousin in Guam with this? How does it work? What is "streaming content" and "file sharing"? Get started with IM in this helpful tutorial from your About guide.
Instant Messaging Planet: List of IM Products for Businesses
Yabber, Versona, Chatopus, Rhombus, Sonork: IM tools that are obscure to the public users, but a possible boon for business users. Yes, Instant Messaging can be very helpful in specific business environments like laboratories and hospitals. Check it out...
The Top Text Message Acronyms and Abbreviations, 2012
Online conversations are often typed with the thumbs on a mobile device these days. This has spawned a whole new world of abbreviated texting. About.com lists the most common text jargon and message abbreviations of 2012 here...
The Top Text Message Acronyms
Our online conversations have now expanded to handheld devices: we users now type with our thumbs, and we converse using cryptic shorthand and bizarre acronyms. Hundreds of bizarre new words have spawned in the last few years, based on both acronyms and stylish expressions.
As new acronyms are created, many are lost to obscurity. But there...
The Top Text Message Acronyms
Our online conversations have now expanded to handheld devices: we users now type with our thumbs, and we converse using cryptic shorthand and bizarre acronyms. Hundreds of bizarre new words have spawned in the last few years, based on both acronyms and stylish expressions.
As new acronyms are created, many are lost to obscurity. But there...
AOL Instant Messenger: AIM
A popular teenager tool, AIM connects an estimated 3 million users in real-time conversations. Perhaps someone in your family is addicted? Read more about AIM here...
Yahoo Messenger
Already nearing version 6, this counterpart to AIM, ICQ, and MSN Messenger, Yahoo Messenger does the same but with its special style. Read about it here...
MSN Messenger
One of the big players, MSN Messenger also claims to allow international phone calls using "telephony" Internet technology, and your computer microphone and speakers. It's far from perfect, but may be worth investigating if you are always in front of your computer every day.
ICQ: "I Seek You"!
One of the founding Instant Messenging tools on the Web, ICQ has lost some popularity to the better-funded AIM/MSN/Yahoo universe. ICQ, however, still has many diehard chatters that have devoutly stayed with the system. If you want to connect with some established online communities with hobby interests, then perhaps try ICQ for a week...