IM

Updated: 08/02/2020 past Computer Hope

IM or instant messenger

IM is brusque for instant bulletin, which is a bulletin straight sent from 1 person to another. IM is also brusk for Instant Messenger, which is a program that connects users to the Internet or network to transport text messages. When used every bit a verb, IM (instant messaging) is the act of sending a message and chatting in an IM programme.

Notation

The term "Instant Messenger" is a trademark owned past Time Warner that should only exist used when describing AOL IM software.

Unlike chat with multiple people talking at once, IM requires an IM client (plan) and only allows yous to directly talk with someone online and in your buddy listing. With these programs, you lot are notified when a friend is online and available to chat.

Examples of IM software

Below is a brusk list of IM software that is or was available for a computer. In the early 2000s, instant messenger programs became less and less popular every bit social networking sites, similar Facebook and Twitter, began using social messaging apps. Today, well-nigh instant messaging happens through social network apps.

  • AOL AIM (ICQ) - Airtight on December 15, 2017.
  • Discord
  • Gadu-Gadu - https://www.gadu-gadu.pl/ (Polish language)
  • Gaim - became Pidgin.
  • Google Talk - Discontinued in May 2013.
  • Jabber
  • Pidgin
  • QQ (OICQ) - http://www.qq.com/ (Chinese language)
  • Skype
  • Windows Live Messenger - Moved to Skype.
  • Yahoo! Messenger - Discontinued in 2018.
ICQ IM

The image is an example graphic of what ICQ looked like, which was i of the first widely used Internet instant messenger programs.

Considering the companies supporting and developing IM software are competitors, there often is no compatibility between them. If yous're on AIM and you have a friend using MSN, yous cannot talk together. Programs like Trillian and Gaim (now called Pidgin) were created to let users to have any instant messengers in the aforementioned program. However, these types of programs withal operate over different networks.

Examples of messaging apps

As more people use smartphones and social networking, messaging apps have go the nearly pop way to message family and friends. Below is a list of a few of the almost pop messaging apps used today.

  • Blackberry Messenger - Discontinued in 2019
  • Facebook Messenger
  • iMessage
  • Kik
  • Line
  • Snapchat
  • WeChat
  • WhatsApp

AIM, Buddy list, Conversation, Chat terms, Computer acronyms, DM, Gaim, Google, ICQ, Net, Internet terms, Jabber, Message, Messenger, Pidgin, Skype, Trillian