Instant Messaging (IM)Instant Messaging (IM)Biswaranjan Rout, CEB, Sept ‘10Biswaranjan Rout, CEB, Sept ‘10Biswaranjan Rout, CEB, Sept ‘10Biswaranjan Rout, CEB, Sept ‘10

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Because Conversation Matters!Because Conversation Matters!

The drawback of Email as a conversation tool:The drawback of Email as a conversation tool:

Conversation is compulsory for:

- Business Communication- Social Interaction

Email is NOT real time conversation. Email is like posting a letter and waiting for a reply, Of course time taken for delivery of messages is very fast.

Emails can be used for communication, but NOT for conversation. Emails can be used for communication, but NOT for conversation.

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

In simple words, IM allows you to have live chats with friends and family.

What is Instant Messaging?What is Instant Messaging?

The process:The process:

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Web ServerWeb ServerClientClient ClientClient

Transfer of text messages

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Why IM?Why IM?• Conversations take place in real time. • No waiting for an e-mail response or a call to be returned.• It’s free and accessible wherever Internet access is available.• IM chats are often very causal and more informal than letters

or e-mails.• IM takes multi-tasking to a new level. Phone calls, web

surfing, and IM can all be done simultaneously.

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Getting started:Getting started:

• Choose an IM service (Yahoo!, AOL, and MSN are some of the most popular).• Download the free software.• Sign in with a username and password.• Choose a screen name that you can remember and that is descriptive.• Add friends to your Buddy List, allowing you to see when they are online.• Have your friends add you to their lists.• Start chatting!

Popular IM Services:Popular IM Services:

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Some Statistics about IM usage:Some Statistics about IM usage:

Who uses IM? How often?Who uses IM? How often?

• 42% of Internet users—more than 53 million American adults—reported using instant messaging.

• 36% of IM users said they used IM every day.• 63% said they used IM at least several times a week.

Gen Y (ages 18-27) 62%

Gen X (ages 28-39) 37%

Trailing Boomers (ages 40-49) 33%

Leading Boomers (ages 50-58) 29%

Matures (ages 59-68) 25%

After Work (ages 69+) 29%

IM Usage by Age Group:IM Usage by Age Group:

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Instant Messaging on the Web:Instant Messaging on the Web:• Many IM services are now available in a scaled down version that uses

just a web browser.• No installation is required and you can use it anywhere Internet access is

available.

Popular Web Messaging Services:Popular Web Messaging Services:

Yahoo Messenger for the web

AIM ExpressMSN Web Messenger

Gmail Messenger

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A variant of IM (Random Messaging):A variant of IM (Random Messaging):

• Omegle.com is an example of an IM service where you talk to strangers.• Two people are randomly picked up from the list of people logged on.

Omegle.com:Omegle.com:

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A chat session between random users A chat session between random users by the names of “You” and “Stranger” in Omegle.by the names of “You” and “Stranger” in Omegle.Omegle is aimed at making new friends.Omegle is aimed at making new friends.

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Tools used in IM:Tools used in IM:

Emoticons:Emoticons:

Smileys:Smileys:

Emoticons = Emotions + Icons

An emoticon is a sequence of characters that express an emotion.

: ) Happy : ( Sad : | Disgusted :-X Sealed Lips >: ) Evil

• Smileys are small pictures that resemble human faces that denote an emotion• Most IM services come with a standard menu of smileys and more can be

downloaded on various web sites

Commonly Used Set of Smileys:Commonly Used Set of Smileys:

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Security Concerns:Security Concerns:• Security concerns with IM are similar to those with e-mail. • Basic common sense always applies. • Do not give personal information to strangers, never type sensitive information

like a credit card number or ATM PIN in an IM.

IM Culture:IM Culture:• Use frequent, shorter messages• Don’t worry about typos or misspelling• Capitalization and punctuation are optional

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Some abbreviations used in IM:Some abbreviations used in IM:

– LOL – laugh out loud– BRB – be right back– AFK – away from keyboard– BTW – by the way

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Problem: IM services that don’t “talk” to each other.

Solution: Create accounts on multiple IM services. – Login to all accounts at once.

Downside = multiple windows.

– Use IM aggregator software to monitor multiple IM accounts through one interface.

Compatibility Issues:Compatibility Issues:

• Trillian: http://www.ceruleanstudios.com/

• Pidgin: http://www.pidgin.im

• Meebo: http://www.meebo.com– Web-based! Nothing to install!– Works even if IM is blocked

Lets you login to and monitor multiple IM accounts through one client.Examples include:

Integrator Software:Integrator Software:

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Questions?Questions?

Biswaranjan Rout7th Sem, CSE

Reg: 0701219-1219040-9050-21 / 674-274-3572