Advice

ERIC SPELLMANN

This update, Eric takes a look at your main options for instant messaging online

IM Stands for "Instant Messaging"

I remember when the internet existed only for e-mail.

Communication was limited to sending text messages from computer to computer. While faster than the US Postal Service (or the Royal Mail), it was hardly "real-time communication."

These days, sophisticated software has taken real-time communication to the next level: Instant Messengers.

An instant messenger is a program that runs on your system all of the time. When you are online, it notifies you when your friends go online. Of course, your friends, also using the instant messenger, are notified that you are online. But that's not all. The programs allow you and your friends to communicate directly, either through text, voice, or video.

Basically, six major instant messengers exist today: America Online Instant Messenger (AIM), Microsoft Instant Messenger, ICQ, Jabber, Odigo, and Trillian Basic. All of them are free, but offer different features.

AIM

By far, the most popular instant messenger is AIM. However, before you immediately go out there and download it, understand why they wear that title. By default, all 20 million AOL users have built-in instant messaging (whether they use it or not). Therefore, AOL can claim the largest user base.

Most people end up getting AIM, though, because of one little important fact: Most instant messengers do NOT interoperate with instant messengers made by other companies. In other words, if your friend is on ICQ and you are on AIM, you cannot chat. Two exceptions exist to this rule - Odigo and Trillian - but I'll get to them later.

MSN IM

With the advent of Windows XP, Microsoft is working overtime to become the dominant instant messenger. If you have a copy of XP on your system, you will immediately notice that MSN IM is automatically loaded.

However, using it requires that you have a Microsoft Passport. Basically, this Passport is a secure way of verifying your identity to your friends and online retailers. Some are concerned about the "privacy" issue on this one, though. Exactly WHAT is Microsoft doing with all of that personal information?

ICQ
One of the best known instant messengers is ICQ. The name is actually a play on words. "ICQ" sounds like "I Seek You."

ICQ was originally developed by an Israeli company named, Mirabalis, which was then bought by AOL. So, yes, that means AOL owns AIM and ICQ. I keep expecting them to merge the two, but it hasn't happened yet.

Jabber

More and more companies are setting up their own internal instant messaging solutions. Only Jabber has taken advantage of this trend by offering a free 100-user server. The Jabber client (program individuals use) is nothing to write home about, though.

Odigo

Interoperability has been the instant messenger mantra for many months. Allowing one instant messenger to work with any other has been the goal of every company except America Online. In fact, America Online has taken steps to prevent other companies from using their system. Only Odigo and Trillian seem to have slipped through the cracks. Using this impressive little program, you can chat and share files with anyone despite their instant messenger choice.

Trillian Basic

Of all the Instant Messengers I have come in contact with, the one I use the most (and exclusively) is Trillian Basic. As with Odigo, it is completely interoperable with all of the other Instant Messengers. However, Trillian's interface is much easier to use (and look at).

As an aside, remember that in order to use the voice or video communication features of these programs, both computers must have a webcam, sound card, microphone, and speakers. Fast Internet access is also advised, but not critical. Today's compression techniques allow even slow Internet connections to have good audio/video quality.
Regardless of which instant messenger you choose, you'll open a brand new world of communication options. If you use them enough, the savings, in long distance charges alone, will pay for your internet access.

See you in Cyberspace!

Eric Spellmann is the owner of Spellmann & Associates, a corporate technology training facility in Amarillo, Texas. Besides his weekly column, he produces technology segments for his local CBS television affiliate and speaks at numerous conferences. If you would like to receive the full transcripts of his columns as well as the television segments he produces for CBS, sign up for his FREE e-mail newsletter by sending a blank message to nl@ericspellmann.com with SUBSCRIBE in the subject. Or, you can sign up at his website http://www.EricSpellmann.com

© Christian Family Network
is run by CPO, supported by
Care for the Family, Marriage Resource, Positive Parenting,
Care, Women Alive, Christian Herald and many others.


		ERIC SPELLMANN This update, Eric takes a look at your main options for instant messaging online IM Stands for "Instant Messaging" I remember when the internet existed only for e-mail. Communication was limited to sending text messages from computer to computer. While faster than the US Postal Service (or the Royal Mail), it was hardly "real-time communication." These days, sophisticated software has taken real-time communication to the next level: Instant Messengers. An instant messenger is a program that runs on your system all of the time. When you are online, it notifies you when your friends go online. Of course, your friends, also using the instant messenger, are notified that you are online. But that's not all. The programs allow you and your friends to communicate directly, either through text, voice, or video. Basically, six major instant messengers exist today: America Online Instant Messenger (AIM), Microsoft Instant Messenger, ICQ, Jabber, Odigo, and Trillian Basic. All of them are free, but offer different features. AIM By far, the most popular instant messenger is AIM. However, before you immediately go out there and download it, understand why they wear that title. By default, all 20 million AOL users have built-in instant messaging (whether they use it or not). Therefore, AOL can claim the largest user base. Most people end up getting AIM, though, because of one little important fact: Most instant messengers do NOT interoperate with instant messengers made by other companies. In other words, if your friend is on ICQ and you are on AIM, you cannot chat. Two exceptions exist to this rule - Odigo and Trillian - but I'll get to them later. MSN IM With the advent of Windows XP, Microsoft is working overtime to become the dominant instant messenger. If you have a copy of XP on your system, you will immediately notice that MSN IM is automatically loaded. However, using it requires that you have a Microsoft Passport. Basically, this Passport is a secure way of verifying your identity to your friends and online retailers. Some are concerned about the "privacy" issue on this one, though. Exactly WHAT is Microsoft doing with all of that personal information? ICQ One of the best known instant messengers is ICQ. The name is actually a play on words. "ICQ" sounds like "I Seek You." ICQ was originally developed by an Israeli company named, Mirabalis, which was then bought by AOL. So, yes, that means AOL owns AIM and ICQ. I keep expecting them to merge the two, but it hasn't happened yet. Jabber More and more companies are setting up their own internal instant messaging solutions. Only Jabber has taken advantage of this trend by offering a free 100-user server. The Jabber client (program individuals use) is nothing to write home about, though. Odigo Interoperability has been the instant messenger mantra for many months. Allowing one instant messenger to work with any other has been the goal of every company except America Online. In fact, America Online has taken steps to prevent other companies from using their system. Only Odigo and Trillian seem to have slipped through the cracks. Using this impressive little program, you can chat and share files with anyone despite their instant messenger choice. Trillian Basic Of all the Instant Messengers I have come in contact with, the one I use the most (and exclusively) is Trillian Basic. As with Odigo, it is completely interoperable with all of the other Instant Messengers. However, Trillian's interface is much easier to use (and look at). As an aside, remember that in order to use the voice or video communication features of these programs, both computers must have a webcam, sound card, microphone, and speakers. Fast Internet access is also advised, but not critical. Today's compression techniques allow even slow Internet connections to have good audio/video quality. Regardless of which instant messenger you choose, you'll open a brand new world of communication options. If you use them enough, the savings, in long distance charges alone, will pay for your internet access. See you in Cyberspace! Eric Spellmann is the owner of Spellmann & Associates, a corporate technology training facility in Amarillo, Texas. Besides his weekly column, he produces technology segments for his local CBS television affiliate and speaks at numerous conferences. If you would like to receive the full transcripts of his columns as well as the television segments he produces for CBS, sign up for his FREE e-mail newsletter by sending a blank message to nl@ericspellmann.com with SUBSCRIBE in the subject. Or, you can sign up at his website http://www.EricSpellmann.com © Christian Family Network is run by CPO, supported by Care for the Family, Marriage Resource, Positive Parenting, Care, Women Alive, Christian Herald and many others.