The Evolution of the IM Mode of Communication

Instant messaging is described as real-time communication between two people through the internet by means of text. The perceived synchronicity of real time chatting separates chats from other messaging technologies such as email. This means that there is immediate receipt of acknowledgement or reply in instant messaging even when a user is currently logged off. Most instant messaging programs will alert you if the other party is offline and will let you know that he or she will receive your message at logon. Instant messaging also comes with other additional features such as web-cams or audio chatting for free over the internet. With instant messaging programs, one is also able to save the conversation for later reference and this feature facilitates for a quick exchange of information like document snippets and URL addresses.

Todays instant messaging programs have functions like file transfer and ability to hold multiple conversations simultaneously. In fact, most of these programs incorporate all the functions that a small business would need to work together. Enterprise versions of these programs are used in corporate organizations and improve work efficiency and coordination of tasks, even with remote work groups. Some of the more advanced instant messaging programs have however remained closed networks to one another and they try to avoid the topic of interoperability. However, shareware instant messaging programs that allow for multiple IM networks to connect and share files are getting a lot of mainstream exposure and unless the top players like Yahoo!, MSN and AOL review their products to allow support for other networks, they may well be on their way out.

Looking at the evolution of instant messaging programs over the years, one of the biggest innovations in this field is the integration of text and voice in what is called VOIP. Voice-over-internet-protocol (VOIP) combines text and audio communication allowing users to receive phone calls from a computer and still chat. It is no wonder that these programs have seen their usage in audio and video conferencing where bandwidths allow for this to take place. Some services allow users to call both the other users cell phone and his or her computer simultaneously and the receiver can decide which to pick. Many websites today combine instant messaging with other services they offer allowing them to offer their clients better services such as customer services via chat. In the future, interoperability issues will be replaced with instant messaging programs that offer convenience, speed and simplicity for its users.