How Do I Chat Online for Free?
Instant messaging is a computer phenomenon that began in the late 1990s. Using an instant messaging program, you can chat online with your friends in real time. When you type a message, your friend sees it on her screen and vice-versa. Many instant messaging programs are available for download and the most popular ones are free. The key to selecting an instant messaging program is to choose the same application that your friends use.
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Instructions
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Ask your friends which instant messaging network they use and download the same program from its official website. Three of the most common instant messaging programs are Windows Live Messenger, AOL Instant Messenger (AIM) and Yahoo! Messenger. If your friends are spread over several networks, Trillian is a good choice because it allows you to log in to all of the popular instant messaging networks using one program.
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Create an account for the instant messaging program that you've installed. When you run the program, it displays a link that you can click to do this. The most important part of creating an instant messaging account is selecting your screen name; your friends will see your screen name when you log in.
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Log in to your instant messaging program using the screen name and password that you established when you set up your account.
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Add your friends to the instant messaging program. Most programs give you the ability to search for friends by name or email address if you don't know their screen names. After your friends have accepted your invitations, their names will appear on your screen when they are online and available to chat.
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Double-click a friend's screen name to start an instant messaging session.
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Type a message and press "Enter" to send it. When your friend replies, her message appears on your screen.
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Tips & Warnings
If many of your friends congregate on a social networking website such as Facebook or MySpace, you may find it easier to chat with them on that website rather than using a standalone instant messaging program. MySpace and Facebook both have instant messaging systems.
