Instant Messenger Tutorial
Internet tools like e-mail offer people a great way to keep in touch without racking up big phone bills. However, if you want to have real-time conversations, there's an even better way of keeping the lines of communication running. As long as you have basic computer knowledge, you can use an instant messaging (IM) service with little difficulty.
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Basics
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Some of the more popular IM services are AOL Instant Messenger (AIM), Yahoo Messenger (YM), Windows Live Messenger, Skype, ICQ and eBuddy, all of which can be downloaded for free. Once downloading is complete, you register with a username/screen name and password. If you open more than one account, check out programs like Gaim or Trillian that can connect to multiple IM services simultaneously.
When you launch your IM program, you will see categories like buddies, family, co-workers and so on. This is where you build your contacts list; if you already have a list of contacts you want to have on your buddy/friends list, find the "Add buddy/Add contact" option and start adding to your list. Some programs automatically add buddies, while others require approval from the person you're requesting.
If you want to send an IM, choose the "Send IM" function or double-click on the screen name of the person with whom you want to communicate. This results in a chat box popping up on your screen. Type whatever you want in the text box and hit "Enter" or click on "Send."
Depending on how your IM program's preferences are set up, you may be able to control your message receipt preferences. For instance, if you're logged onto AIM and choose to receive messages only from people you know or whose screen name you recognize, a message will pop up advising you that the person is not on your buddy list, and ask if you want to accept the message.
You also can choose how you want your IM program to run, in terms of sounds. If you want to know when someone logs onto AIM, the sound of an opening door tells you, while the sound of a door slamming informs you someone signed off the program and is no longer available to chat. If you turn off the sounds and keep your IM box hidden under a browser or another program, the box will light up if you have a new message.
Slang/abbreviations
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If you're new to instant messaging, you may be baffled while reading some of your contacts' messages, as there's a lot of slang and abbreviated usage in the IM world. Some of the common ones are LOL (laughing out loud), BRB (be right back), LMAO (laugh my a** off) and TTYL (talk to you later). Once you communicate via IM on a regular basis, you will pick up on some of the slang your buddies use when chatting with you.
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Sharing media
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Not only can you use IM programs to chat with people, but you also can share pictures, videos or other media. With programs like AIM and Yahoo! Messenger, if you choose to share photos, a separate box will pop up that you can simply drag photos into (if you're signed onto simplified Web-based versions of AIM or YM, you won't be able to share media). If you want to send photos (or videos or music) as files, choose the "Send file" option. If someone wants to share media with you, all you have to do is accept the invitation when it pops up on your IM box/screen.
If you want your buddies to see you live in the flesh, you can use a Web cam as another means of keeping in touch, If you have a Web cam, make sure it's properly connected and that it's set to be viewed on request.
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