Community Newsletter: Q&A: 3/3/06 What's the best instant messenger?
- 3/2/06 6:50 PM
Thoughts on the best instant messenger.
by geocatcher233 - 3/3/06 9:34 AM In reply to: 3/3/06 What's the best instant messenger? by Marc Bennett
I totally agree with the winning response. I use both the Yahoo instant messenger and MSN instant messenger because I have friends and family that use both. They both have good features some that are the same between the two of them some that are individual to the specific IM. While both have free IM to IM voice and video (web cam) I have found that for me the video on the MSN messenger works the smoothest and the best. With voice over the IM I can talk to family and friends as if I were on a telephone (especially using a headset with a microphone) and with video (web cam) I can see a moving picture of the person I am talking to. I love this feature when I am talking to my grown children and their families as they live in other areas of the country from me. It must be remembered however that for video to work the parties of the conversation must all have a broadband Internet connection (DSL, Cable Modem, etc.).
One thing of particular interest was an announcement by both Microsoft and Yahoo of an agreement signed between the two of them. Sometime in the near future people on the MSN IM network will be able to IM with people using the Yahoo IM network and visa versa. The world of IMing is slowly approaching, with the cooperation of the various IM networks, a single communication network that will eventually make all IMs compatible with each other. I look forward to being able to use just one IM interface to communicate with my family and friends who are now on multiple IM networks (Yahoo and MSN). Yahoo and MSN are on the right path, hopefully others will follow.
Massive waste of time - watch the grades nosedive!
by bsmiley8 - 3/3/06 10:27 AM In reply to: 3/3/06 What's the best instant messenger? by Marc Bennett
Wow what a massive waste of time IMs are -- let your teenage kids use one and watch the grades nosedive! If you're retired fine, otherwise you should intuitively realize what an interruption-fest an IM buddy list can be. Yes, you can turn them off if you intend to use your computer to actually get some work done. I say pick up the phone and have a meaningful conversation and leave the IM chit-chat to the gossip mongers and timewasters. The fact you will certainly need multiple IM clients should also tell you all need to know about this gimmick.
Why? are you..
by Eskiegirl302 - 3/3/06 12:57 PM In reply to: Massive waste of time - watch the grades nosedive! by bsmiley8Just a natural introvert or do you not have any IM friends? It is a wonderful tool for entertainment and for business. Even the u.s. government uses IM.
I don't use IM myself but
by Claptrap - 3/4/06 2:53 PM In reply to: Massive waste of time - watch the grades nosedive! by bsmiley8My son chats with his friends daily - and he still gets top notch grades! Sometimes I do need to remind him about homework but the problem is no worse than if he was doing something else, like playing games or watching telly: its all about learning to keep technology in perspective and self disipline. As long as IM doesn't become an obsession that shuts out the real life, what's the harm? And I'd rather he chats via IM than runs a huge phone bill, like my eldest son did before we had Internet and IM
I sometimes worry about who he is talking to but we have had a chat about internet security and the fact that you don't really know who the other person is, even after several months. If you follow the same rules as talking to strangers (replace sweets with grooming and bad files), you are safe. In fact, while my son is on the computer, he is not out somewhere where he can get into bad company or some other real trouble - and he doesn't stay out late because he doesn't want the conversation to end. Instant messaging means he stays out of smokey pubs and doesn't hang out on the streets, catching cold (in winter).
I thought the subject was about the Best One ?
by dinoraj - 3/3/06 12:22 PM In reply to: 3/3/06 What's the best instant messenger? by Marc Bennett
I would rate ICQ as the best one still up-to-date which is being replicated by the other 3 messengers. A cool feature is the synchronous chat that none could replicate. Each letter that is being typed by the other person will appear on your screen instead of hitting the Enter Button everytime and yeah the default typing sound too gives a real-time feel.
Besides Advanced search like zip code and features that have not been replicated yet by other messengers I would still vote it as the #1 community for instant messaging. If you still want to be with Yahoo, MSN and AOL then go for Trillian and there will be less clutter with more consitency of seeing your buddies together. Another feature of trillian is that you can log into 2 accounts of the same instant messenger at the same time which none, AOL, MSN or Yahoo would allow a user to do..Hmmmm
Thanks for your time,
Bye, Dino.
Only foundational difference
by Jilet - 3/3/06 12:37 PM In reply to: 3/3/06 What's the best instant messenger? by Marc Bennett
Essentially, all IM services can be viewed as running off the same idea - instant messaging. Yes, they're all free, yes, they're all received instantly, yes, you can talk to anyone in the world at any time you are both online, yes, you can have a live conversation with a webcam or microphone, yes, you can connect to your inbox. The major decision you have to make is "who do I want to be connected to?" Aside from all the, yes, the cute graphics or the super annoying sounds they make when a message is received or who updates their program most frequently or who has encrypted communication, the most important thing you need to sort out is connectivity.
The concept isn't that hard to get - a service that is "totally free" where you talk to anyone over the internet. The only foundational difference between services is connectivity. All my friends use MSN Messenger; therefore, I use MSN Messenger. Sure, Yahoo! could have x features that MSN Messenger doesn't, but why the heck would I get it if I have no one to talk to? So you want to be connected to everyone, get a convergent IM program. Which one should you get? That's all up to your patience, but the first thing you need to prioritize is your connectivity. Even if the program you choose turns out to be crappy, the only thing that matters is you're talking to the people you wanted/needed to. It's like marriage, it doesn't matter what you're doing, as long as you're with the one you want to be with.
Who do you want to be connected to?
by Jilet - 3/3/06 12:37 PM In reply to: 3/3/06 What's the best instant messenger? by Marc Bennett
Essentially, all IM services can be viewed as running off the same idea - instant messaging. Yes, they're all free, yes, they're all received instantly, yes, you can talk to anyone in the world at any time you are both online, yes, you can have a live conversation with a webcam or microphone, yes, you can connect to your inbox. The major decision you have to make is "who do I want to be connected to?" Aside from all the, yes, the cute graphics or the super annoying sounds they make when a message is received or who updates their program most frequently or who has encrypted communication, the most important thing you need to sort out is connectivity.
The concept isn't that hard to get - a service that is "totally free" where you talk to anyone over the internet. The only foundational difference between services is connectivity. All my friends use MSN Messenger; therefore, I use MSN Messenger. Sure, Yahoo! could have x features that MSN Messenger doesn't, but why the heck would I get it if I have no one to talk to? So you want to be connected to everyone, get a convergent IM program. Which one should you get? That's all up to your patience, but the first thing you need to prioritize is your connectivity. Even if the program you choose turns out to be crappy, the only thing that matters is you're talking to the people you wanted/needed to. It's like marriage, it doesn't matter what you're doing, as long as you're with the one you want to be with.
Skype?
by LMN320 - 3/3/06 12:47 PM In reply to: 3/3/06 What's the best instant messenger? by Marc Bennett
Ciao!
you forgot Skype, with more than 50 M users it's not a small community, even if it's more voice and video oriented, IM is also widely used.
what to do when you retire and have time on your hands.
by azell - 3/3/06 2:31 PM In reply to: 3/3/06 What's the best instant messenger? by Marc Bennett
I suggest you look into becoming a counselor with SCORE, the free consulting arm of the US Sm Bus Adm. The office in Roanoke is at 250 Franklin Road, Federal Building, Room 716 PHONE: (540) 857-2834
If you wish to know more about SCORE, go to www.score.org.
Alan
Alan J. Zell, Ambassador Of Selling
azell@aol.com
Winner of the Murray Award for Markteting Excellence
Member, PNW Sales & Marketing Group
Member, Institute of Management Consultants
You are invited to learn about programs and services and
article on business topics that affect selling at www.sellingselling .com
Skype.com is in the lead so far!
by PopsSoCal - 3/3/06 4:21 PM In reply to: 3/3/06 What's the best instant messenger? by Marc Bennett
I use Skype.com as my main program now, but I also use PalTalk.com, MSN messanger,AOL,Yahoo,ICQ, Trillian they are ok but I like Skype.com the best, The others I have used more in the past But since I started using Skype.com it has been the most rewarding so far and I will keep it as my primary program it is more versitale IMO and my friends and family too.
Mike
IM Manners
by davevideolevin - 3/3/06 4:36 PM In reply to: 3/3/06 What's the best instant messenger? by Marc Bennett
Just FYI -- in my opinion it's also helpful if people use some basic courtesies when IM-ing each other.
For example: Tap your friend on his/her virtual shoulder before launching into a conversation -- just like you might do at a crowded party.
You might want to start your conversation with something like this:
"Hey WaderLover, can u chat for a second?"
AND LANGUAGE
by Claptrap - 3/4/06 3:19 PM In reply to: IM Manners by davevideolevinAs davevideolevin started his message with an acronym, you will have to learn to shorten practically every word + learn a lots of standard acronyms if you want to talk with someone that is used to chat with using IM. I assume this is because typing takes more time that talking to someone and abreviation is a desperate attempt to bridge the gap.
Some people who's spelling and grammar is no so good to start with, often forget the correct spelling and seem less capable of proper sentences. I have definitely noticed the deterioration of spelling, especially with the young ones. The language I use every day is not my native tongue and I have had little formal tuition on it, yet I help peers to spell everyday words almost daily. Needless to say, despite my resistance,Internet chat acronyms do slip into even my typing.
Instant Message
by Pennykit - 3/3/06 5:09 PM In reply to: 3/3/06 What's the best instant messenger? by Marc Bennett
Hello,
I'm replying to the question asked by Julie K. about which instant message is the best. I have and use both Yahoo and Microsoft (MSN) Messenger. My preference is Yahoo Messanger but the other is good also. I find Yahoo has more features and is pretty safe if you have your settings set the way you want. I truly know you'll enjoy it Hope this helps!!
Pal Talk is a GREAT Instant Messenger
by btljooz - 3/3/06 7:23 PM In reply to: 3/3/06 What's the best instant messenger? by Marc Bennett
That's what I use.
I also use Yahoo....SOMETIMES;)
the best messenger is ICQ
by hitsch - 3/3/06 7:37 PM In reply to: 3/3/06 What's the best instant messenger? by Marc Bennett
i have the 4 main messengers on my computer and the # 1 is ICQ because it is the only one that lets me send a message to people that are NOT on line. my friends & family live in europa, asia, australia and the time difference of 8 - 15 hr makes this function verry verry conveniant.
ciao hitsch
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