Download Index

In-Depth Reviews

Tips & Tutorials

Updates

News

Browsers

Chat / Conferencing

Desktop Utilities

Development

Internet Apps

Multimedia

OS Service Packs

Productivity Tools

WinPlanet: Glossary

Enter a keyword...

...or choose a category. choose one... Communications Computer Industry Companies Computer Science Data Graphics Hardware Internet and Online Services Mobile Computing Multimedia Networks Operating Systems Programming Software Standards Types of Computers World Wide Web

instant messaging Last modified: Friday, May 14, 2004
Abbreviated IM, 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, 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. See the page of text messaging abbreviations in the Quick Reference section of Webopedia.
AOL Instant Messenger Home page for AOL's Instant Messenger (AIM) system. You can download the free AIM software from here. Choosing an Instant Messaging System A series of articles covering the fundamentals of enterprise instant messaging and what you need to know as an IT decision-maker. Instant Messaging Can Usher in Instant Problems IT managers are being warned that IM is fast becoming a gateway for more attacks on the corporate network. Instant Messaging Planet Complete coverage of the business opportunities emerging from IM including case studies, security updates, and infrastructure issues. Instant Messaging Server Overview Fuzzy on the fundamentals of IM? This overview explains the pros and cons of taking what was initially designed as a personal app and implementing it across the enterprise. Yahoo! Messenger Home page for Yahoo!'s instant messaging system called Yahoo! Messenger. You can download the free software from here.	Related Categories Business Computing Chat Related Terms chat e-mail finger ICQ jabber Multimedia Message Service presence real time SIMPLE SMS spim store and forward text messaging XMPP