Instant Messaging
Instant messaging (IM) is the latest trend in communication, which allows two or more persons to communicate by typing in text form and the message being received in real time. This form of messaging, compared to e-mail, allows for quick and easy responses to satisfy ones need for instant and constant communication. We will discuss the history of instant messaging; explore how it works and what is needed to enable this application. We will also discuss companies involved, regulatory issues, future trends in this area and the global implications of this relatively new form of communication.
In the 1970's early forms of messaging were implemented on private networks, and were used on the PLATO and DEC PDP-11 systems referred to as the "talk" program. Messaging was later incorporated into UNIX system and used by academics and engineers throughout the 1980's and early 1990's. In 1987 MIT created the first instant messaging tool called the Zephyr. In 1996 the company called Mirablis introduced ICQ, a free instant messaging tool in which anyone could use. America On Line (AOL) which had instant messaging as fee service became threatened by the number of users of ICQ and purchased the company. With the explosion of growth from ICQ, it led to new companies seeking to build upon this new form of communication.
For the proposed system, chatting will be one-to-one basis. That is why; there will be one dedicated operator for a specific ...
While each instant messaging program is unique, they all employ similar client-server architecture to send and receive m...
Throughout the course of this class, and more specifically the process of generating an idea for my final project, I found myself drawn time and again to the way people interact with each other electronically namely the internet. Having been involved in computers and nearly everything related for the majority of my life I have experienced a number of different tools and applications from chat rooms to online games to instant messaging that provide a means of interacting with others in a number of different ways. This experience and other concepts and ideas that Ive either read about or envisioned stood as my foundation in deciding on and formulating this project.
In 1973, Motorola released a revolutionary product that forever changed communication and the social culture around the world. This heavy and awkward looking device allowed wireless communication and contributed to the decline of sending letters in the mail or walking to someone’s house to talk (Alfred). We now call this device a cell phone. Since the first cell phone was released in 1973, technological advancements have improved the cell phone’s portability, weight, and compatibility, resulting in roughly 90% of all Americans owning a cell phone (Pew Research). These advancements also helped develop texting, a form of communication that relays messages within seconds. Texting has appealed towards the younger generation, specifically ages 18-24, due to its unique and fast lingo such as “lol” (laugh out loud) and “brb” ( be right back)( Netlingo.com). In a recent survey, over 31% of young adults prefer a text message instead of a voice call (Pew Research). However, calling, a more traditional conversation, remains widely used and is the preferred method of communication for over 51% of young adults (Pew Research). The preferred method of contact might be personal, but calling and texting both have advantages and disadvantages. They differ in convenience, interpretation, privacy, and safety.
People can "talk" to others by sending email messages, at the speed of pressing the send key. This information is instantly transmitted to the receiver, who can in turn, reply quickly. Today, one can even literally talk to someone else, just as if he/she were actually phoning someone over traditional phone lines. While the quality is not as clear as regular lines, the cost is considerably less.
The heart of all this tech revolution is the Internet, which makes any form of communication possible. The Internet has broken all the cost and distance barriers to make everyone more connected than ever before. Cell phones, social networking, webs and emails are the most common means of communications. Cell phones make it possible to communicate with hundreds or even thousands of contact
Over the last fifteen years, the way the people of our generation communicate has altered. In the beginning, cell phones were used strictly to converse verbally. It remained that way until 1992 when Neil Papworth sent the first text message reading “Merry Christmas” to Englishman Richard Jarvis (Shannon par.1-2). Papworth was un aware that this simple greeting would have such a drastic impact on cell phones. As of 2000 all cell phones have the ability to type out and send individual letters of the alphabet. Thus, millions of Americans have become obsessed with the text message, sending out and receiving billions of text messages on a daily basis. Most teens today would rather text than talk on the phone, which makes me wonder the causes for this texting phenomenon. Since sending texts is more convenient during busy days and we are able to text exactly what we want to say in the messages, our reason to use text messaging increases. A few other causes are that texting increases privacy between those involved, eases pressure when it comes to responding, it also makes one feel important among peers, and the unlimited text package deals from service providers encourages people to text even more. As a result, texting rapidly took over the way we communicate making this phenomenon one noticed by everyone.
Social media sites are also an alternative to texting since they serve the same functions. Twitter, for example, adopted the short character format, which helped the text message phenomenon (Erickson). Social media, chat, email, Skype, Oovoo and other forms of online communication have widen options for texting. Other way for texting is iMessage on an iPhone, which uses data. Social media makes it a lot easier for users to communicate. We can see if contacts are available or not to talk with rather than waiting (Rebtel). It is hard to imagine a world without modern advances in communication technology. SMS is still the most widely used data application in the world even with other forms of communication around, as seen from the graph on the left. It has become more than just sending texts with friends, it also enables us to receive updates and alerts, keep track of our finances, send emails, and much more. Traditional SMS makes it possible to talk to anyone, anywhere, anytime.
Texting has negative and positive influences on society. In 1984, Friedhelm Hillebrand and Bernard Ghillebaert developed the concept of SMS (short message service) in the Franco- German GSM cooperation (Erickson). Text messaging was created and released in the mid-1990’s. Texting, also known as SMS, is a form of communication in which it sends text messages between cell phones and other handheld devices (Erickson). In present day, texting has become a large part of connecting with people we know in our daily life. If texting were not created, where would we be currently in interacting with each other? What would be the fastest form of communication? Would we be able to adapt the new community without texting? Throughout history, we perceive technological advances and their effects on society as we try to eliminate our usage in them.
4. To communicate with other computers, either one at a time (Instant message) or many at once (chat rooms or discussion groups).
The younger generation particularly has seized on the strange communication through the Internet. Using chat groups on different subjects they are taking in school, they conduct live conversations by keyboard through the internet.
Anonymous (1998, June 23). Keeping in Touch With Americans: New Survey on Attitudes About Messaging Technologies Finds More Hope Than Hype About 'Overload' Problem. Business Wire, p. PG.
Research Question: The effect of text messages on students writing skills at the University of the West Indies. This Topic has intrigued the researchers interest and as a result this proposal will be investigating how text messaging and the affects the writing skills of students that attend the University of the West Indies.
Throughout history, developments in technology and communications have gone hand-in-hand in society’s advancement. However, the most significant impact of technology is in the communication department, because the spread internet has made sending emails, chatting, paying bills and finding a date affordable and quick. People can use Facebook, Skype, Yahoo or Gmail to communicate efficiently and instantly to their friends and loved one’s for no cost at all if they choose to.
Human civilization has gone through many changes and transformations, and pass through different stages of development. Despite this, in all ages of human society relation and communication between its components were the main value. But human communication has never been so global as in the twenty-first century. It is connected with the era of information technology. Virtual communication - is an integral part of our pastime. For many people the computer is not just a kind of technology, but rather the interlocutor.