Things You'll Need:
- Computer
- Internet connection
- Instant messaging software and service
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Step 1
Sign up for one of the instant messaging services, like America Online, Yahoo! or MSN. The services are all free to sign up and use. Just go to their website and fill out a quick registration form including your email address. They will usually send you a confirmation email for you to verify that you have requested the new membership.
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Step 2
Download the software for the instant messaging service. There are many instant messaging software programs today, as well as web-based messenger services like Meebo, where the user can connect to multiple services, such as Yahoo!, MSN, Jabber, AIM and ICQ. Which ever way that you prefer to connect, instant messaging is a fun and easy way to communicate with friends and family.
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Step 3
Install the instant messaging software onto your computer. As soon as the download has finished, it should ask if you would like to install the program now. Click yes, follow the next steps through the screens and then click finish when its done. The term "instant messenger" is a registered service mark of Time Warner and cannot be used in any software that isn't affiliated with AOL, at least not in the United States.
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Step 4
Set up your friends list, also referred to as a buddy list. The 'buddy list' is also a term that is a trademarked by AOL. and it is a list that contains your friends that you frequently contact. Most instant messaging programs have a list where you can keep track of all of your friends. Get all of the screen names from your friends and add them to the list.
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Step 5
Start sending instant messages to all of your friends. People refer to instant messaging as 'sending an IM'. If they don't want to accept an IM, users can set up an away message. This is similar to leaving a message on a telephone answering machine. Instant messaging has become an increasingly popular way to communicate with others online in real-time.
