Government Information - IM Reference FAQ
- What is IM?
- Where can I get an IM account and screen name?
- Where can I get IM software?
- Can I use web based IM instead of client software?
- What is IM internet slang?
What is IM?
From wikipedia, the free encyclopedia:
Instant messaging or 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. (more...)
Where can I get an IM account and screen name?
You have to register with a messaging service provider. All of the most popular IM services are provided free of charge. Additionally, many IM accounts are tied to an email account with the same provider, so you might already have an accout without knowing it. For instance, if your Yahoo! email account is johndoe@yahoo.com, then your Yahoo! IM screen name is johndoe. If you do not already have an account, please visit the below sites to register for one.
Where can I get IM software?
Most messaging service providers offer a fee desktop IM clients for their protocols. However, if you want to be able to chat over multiple messaging service protocols in one interface, then look into a free multi-protocol IM client, such as GAIM or Trillian. If you don't want to download anything or are on a computer where you can't install software, use a web-based IM service like meebo.
Can I use web-based IM instead of client software?
Yes. Many IM services offer a web-based IM interfaces to their service on their websites. Meebo is a multi-protocol web-based IM service.
What is internet slang?
Internet slang or netlingo is employed by IM users to shorten keystrokes. It often consists of abbreviations for commonly used chat messages, such as ttyl for talk to you later. Users also use emoticons to signal the emotional intent of mesages. See the Intenet Slang Translator and Dictionary for examples.