IV-C. Chatting on the Web

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  1. Chatting on the Web takes two forms:

    1. Utilizing an "Instant Messaging" service
    2. Joining a Chat Room established on a web site

  2. Instant Messaging

    1. Instant Messaging (IM) provides an instant personal link to someone else on the Internet
    2. Of course, both of you must be active on the Internet at the same time and, in most cases, both of you must be using the same IM software
    3. Typically, these IM services require that you download and install their software and establish a "buddy list" of the people with whom you want to chat (and whom you want to chat with you). Some examples are:

      4. Systems that allow you to chat only with others using the same system (Native Clients):

      1. AOL Instant Messenger
      2. ICQ Groupware
      3. MSN Messenger
      4. Yahoo Messenger

      Systems that allow you to interface with more than one system (Universal Clients):

      1. Imici Messenger (AIM, ICQ, MSN, Yahoo)
      2. Jabber IM (ICQ, MSN, Yahoo)
      3. Odigo.com (AIM, ICQ, Yahoo) and
      4. Trillian (AIM, MSN, Yahoo, ICQ and IRC logins)

      NOTE: No developer can guarantee that its universal client will always work with AIM. In the past, America Online has actively thwarted third-party access to AIM servers by changing the IM protocol frequently. (PC World, September 2001, page 182.)

  3. Chat Rooms
    4.

    1. Chat Rooms exist all over the Internet and cover an unbelievably wide range of topics
    2. Usually they are topic-specific. There are chat rooms for teens, for single mothers, for gays, for ham radio operators, etc.
    3. An example is Yahoo! Chat. Another is SeniorNet's Roundtable Discussions
    4. The anonymity of a chat room permits people to adopt identities other than their true one, so you really never know to whom you are talking. Almost all the names are "handles"
    5. Much of the conversation may be vacuous, but every now and then a good discussion breaks out
    6. Internet Chat Site Links provides links to additional resources

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