the old way of instant messaging

All conversations take place instantly; one seems to be talking over the phone as immediate response can be given. There is also a contact list that indicate who is in your list is offline or online. However, the early instant messaging only served the purpose of talking to other users through typing in a chat room and looked very simple.

The evolution--MIRC
I recalled during my secondary school days, I was quite ‘into’ using the IRC (Internet relay chat). The IRC is a form of instant messaging or synchronous conferencing. It is designed mainly for group (many- to- many) communication in discussion forums known as the channels and also enables one- to- one communication between other IRC users. (Wikipedia, 2007) It is also a good way to save on telephone bills as one can hold a conference in a chat room with people all over the world.(MIRC,2006) Not only that, it allows data transfer via private message or the main page. I remembered there were channels used only for getting music or videos.

Certain users are given a special privilege to be the IRC operator in the chat rooms. They are given channel operator status in every channel and have the power to kick any user out of the channel. However, as the IRC connections are unencrypted and typically span long time periods, IRC is a good target for hackers. (Wikipedia, 2007) It can be seen that the internet relay chat follows the earlier instant messaging quite closely. The chatting takes place instantly and allows everyone to interact more freely.

MSN Messenger

I could not remember clearly how the MSN messenger became a fad. It just seems that all of a sudden, everyone around me is using the msn messenger and I went ahead too. MSN Messenger is another form of instant messaging that was developed and distributed by Microsoft between 1999 and 2006. It is used by computers running the Microsoft Windows operating system and aimed towards home users. (Wikipedia, 2007) Over these years, the MSN Messenger has evolved from the basic MSN Messenger 1.0 to the current Windows live messenger. MSN messenger 1.0 included only the plain text messaging and a simple looking contact list without any additional features.

msn messenger 1.0


On the other hand, the current windows live messenger has gone beyond real-time chatting. Not only one can chat online through typing, the other feature Pc-to-Pc calling allows one to call your friend’s computer and converse verbally online. There is also a bigger size and better quality of video conferencing. (Windows live services, 2007)




video conferencing and 'making a phone call'

Files can be sent and shared among users and conversations can be saved even when one is offline. It has indeed become one of the most popular IM networks around and improved a lot on the standard instant messaging in the earlier days.

Conclusion

The above two instant messaging tools--- MIRC and MSN Messenger both worked on the basis of the oldest instant messenger- they offer real time chatting experience. However, they have progressed and evolved. Many instant messaging services such as the yahoo messenger have now begin to offer video conferencing services, voice over IP (VOIP) such as Skype and web conferencing.(Wikipedia,2007) Even our mobile phones are able to access the internet and use any instant messaging services to communicate online. The internet may have shortened the distance between people but it is the instant messaging that has increase the closeness and relationships among people whom you know and do not know. Well, there is a huge possibility that in the future no more email or telephones will be available. The multi-purpose instant messaging may take the place of the other communication tools and definitely will be here to stay for a very long time.


References
Wikipedia (24 January, 2007). "Instant Messaging". Retrieved January 26, 2007 from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Instant_messaging
Wikipedia (23 January, 2007). "MSN Messenger". Retrieved January 26, 2007 from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MSN_Messenger
Wikipedia (24 January, 2007). "Internet Relay Chat". Retrieved January 26, 2007 from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_Relay_Chat
Wikipedia (2007). "History of the internet". Retrieved January 26, 2007 from http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=History_of_the_Internet&oldid=70771572
Windows Live Messenger (2007). "Windows Live Services". Retrieved January 26, 2007 from http://get.live.com/messenger/features
MIRC (1995-2006). "What is IRC?” Retrieved January 26, 2007 from http://www.mirc.com/irc.html

and my fav toy...one of my last xmas gifts....hahahhaa

shall share more of myself in the next entry....