what is icq as related to instant messaging

In this case the user will receive the message the next time he or she logs on. Some services allow you to send a text message to a person who is not online. Depending on the service you use, this could be a text-based instant message, a text-based chat session,or voice chat session. You can then initiate a real-timeconversation with the person who is online.

Once a user has been added to your contact list, you are then able to see that person’s status, or presence that is, whether they are online and available to chat, online but currently away from their computer, or offline. IM clients allow you to add users to a contact list, also called a buddy list. Once you have done that, you will then be able to communicate with others using the service.

You download the messaging client and sign-up for the service by creating a username and password. To use IM to chat with others online you first need to decide which of the available free public services you want to use. You can then initiate a chat session with that particular individual. Typically, the instant messaging system alerts you whenever somebody on your private list is online. While e-mail is considered to be the staple on online communicating, instant messaging is also common as it allows for real-time (i.e, immediate) contact with others.īy definition, Instant Messaging (IM) ienables you to create a type of private chat room with another individual in order to communicate in real-time over the Internet, analogous to a telephone conversation but using text-based communication. Giving out your e-mail address has become as commonplace as giving a phone number. The Internet has had a huge effect on the way we communicate with friends, family and co-workers. From AIM to Meebo to Yahoo Messenger, here’s a list of the leading public (and free) instanting messaging services.

What is icq as related to instant messaging