Instant Messaging

     IM, also known as instant messaging, consist of real-time messages sent between users over the Internet. IM is very similar to text messaging on our cellphones, and can be compared to a private chat room. Before the creation of IM software, such as Google Talk, Skype, MSN Messenger, etc.; many of us utilized emails to communicate but sometimes an email is not fast enough for some of us. This is why IM is such a huge success (Tyson, 2015).

     Some of the most common features that make collaboration possible that are available to users through IM software are: 1) instant messages – as aforementioned similar to text messaging; 2) chat – similar to a private chat room with a single individual or a group of people; 3) web links – the user has the ability to share and open links; 4) video and images – one can send and receive video files, pictures, and video chat with other users; 5) sounds – play sounds; 6) files – one can use IM as a peer-to-peer file transfer service; 7) talk – one can use IM to place phone calls instead of using a telephone; 8) streaming content – receive real-time news or similar applications; and 9) mobile capabilities – send instant messages from your cell phone (Tyson, 2015).

     I personally utilize several different IM applications such as Whatsapp, Skype, Line, and iMessage. The reason why I have so many is because not everyone that I know uses the same so I need several in order to stay in touch. Nevertheless, if I am forced to choose one as my favorite then my choice would be Skype. As I talked about during my blog about VoIP, Skype offers me several benefits that the other IM applications simply can’t; just as the ability to have my own Skype number where anyone can call me regardless if they have Skype or not.

Reference

Tyson, J. & Cooper, A. (2015). How instant messaging works. Retrieved September 14, 2015, from http://computer.howstuffworks.com/e-mail-messaging/instant-messaging.htm