How to Use an Instant Message Program to Chat With Your Friends

Instant messaging is a great way to communicate in real time over long distances without racking up a huge phone bill. Most utilities can be downloaded for free and are easy to install and use. These guidelines cover the basics of instant messages.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Internet Access
• Computers
• America Online

1. Decide on an instant message program with your friends. Most programs are similar in what features they offer, so your best bet is to find one that some of your friends already use.

2. Visit the program's home page and follow the site's instructions for downloading and installing the program. Have your friends do the same.

3. Select a screen name and password for yourself. You may have to try several names before you find one that isn't already taken.

4. Find out the screen names of your friends and add them to your contact list. The message program will alert you when your friends are online and available to send and receive messages.

5. When you see that a friend is online, double-click on his or her screen name to send a message.

6. Form a chat room (if your instant message program offers this feature) if several of your friends are online at once.

Tips & Warnings

• Different programs are used in different ways. Follow the specific instructions for your program, which should be available either in the program's Help file or on the program's home page.
• You and your friends must each have the same program to be able to communicate with each other. You can only send instant messages within the same program.