Instant messaging: A service that alerts users when friends or colleagues are on line and allows them to communicate with each other in real time through private online chat areas. With instant messaging, a user creates a list of other users with whom he or she wishes to communicate; when a user from his or her list is on line, the service alerts the user and enables immediate contact with the other user. While instant messaging has primarily been a proprietary service offered by Internet service providers such as AOL and MSN, businesses are starting to employ instant messaging to increase employee efficiency and make expertise more readily available to employees.

This method of communication is a lot safer than a chat room as you know exactly with whom you will be speaking, and if they do get offensive, you will always have the ability to block them for as long as you see fit. If you want to find out more on exactly how it all works, then follow this link: http://www.howstuffworks.com/instant-messaging.htm , it will tell you all you need to know.

There are different suppliers of FREE IM programs, such as; MSN, Yahoo, Gmail, ICQ, Skype, AOL and others. They all do essentially the same thing, but each has their own little extras and quirks. For example, you maybe able to alter and change the background for each person on your list, and you can identify yourself with your own small picture. You can speak via a web cam or even send messages to people's mobiles. Or have little additions such as integration with Outlook Express and email alerts on the latest news etc. Installation and use of them is all very simple.

IM is a great innovation allowing you to communicate with friends, family and colleagues from all across the globe - give it a go, you'll be glad you did!

Prepared by Craig Knott