History
The first version of an instant messaging program can be dated back to 1996 when Mirabilis Ltd. created ICQ, standing for “I Seek You”. A free program, it was received well and gained popularity quickly. Part of the program’s attraction to users was the ability to create interest lists and public chat rooms. ICQ’s success led the number of downloads to eventually reach 100 million downloads five years after its initial launch. Continuous development on the software led to improvements, which allowed users to access their accounts from any browser.
America Online (AOL) also released an instant messaging program around the same time as ICQ. Similar to the rapid success of ICQ, the AOL Instant Messenger program (AIM) had 45 million users two years after its launch. America Online acquired Mirabilis and ICQ a year after AIM’s launch.
How It Works
After downloading the software for a specific instant messaging program, a user must create an account. After creating the account and logging in, the program connects the user to a server that is used by everyone who uses the same program. Once connected, the user’s IP address and port are sent to the server. The server then creates a temporary file with this connection information, the IP address and port, and the list of the user’s contacts. Once the user has selected a person to talk to, the user’s IP address and port are sent directly to the requested person. At this point, the two computers are connected to each other and can send messages to each other quickly.
Instant Messaging Providers
While ICQ and AIM are two of the older instant messaging providers that are still in use, there have been more programs that have recently come into development. Programs like Google Chat, Yahoo Messenger, and Windows Live Messenger, formerly MSN Messenger, all allow users to talk with other users within the same program and offer all of the basic functionalities. Programs like Trillian and Pidgin allows users to instant message on several accounts as well as with users using different IM programs. Many instant messenger providers now offer the option of webcam video functionality. Skype may be one of the better-known providers. While it is primarily used for video chats, it does offer an instant messaging option. The following picture shows logos for IM providers like Adium, Google Talk, Meebo, Pidgin, ICQ, and AIM.
Instant Messaging Language
The popularity of instant messaging has helped to develop its own language, which includes shorthand abbreviations for users to communicate with each other. The language of instant messaging is informal, playful, and emphasizes meaning over form. Common IM language includes BRB (be right back), BTW (by the way), IDK (I don’t know), LOL (laughing out loud), TTYL (talk to you later), and G2G (go to go). The following are just snippets of a long list of the acronyms in the IM langauage.
*$ Starbucks
,!!!! talk to the hand
20 Location
2B or not 2B To Be Or Not To Be
2b@ To Be At
2BZ4UQT Too Busy For You Cutey
2G2B4G Too Good To Be Forgotten
2G2BT Too Good To Be True
2moro Tomorrow
2nite Tonight
2U2 To You Too
303 Mom
404 I haven't a clue
411 Information
BBIABBe Back In A Bit
BBIAFBe Back In A Few
BBIASBe Back In A Sec
BBIAWBe Back In A While
CSACool Sweet Awesome
CSLCan't Stop Laughing
CSNChuckle, Snicker, Grin
If you would like to see the whole list you can go to the link below.
http://www.netlingo.com/acronyms.php
Here is a link to a funny commercial that shows how IM language has infiltrated the real world through texting.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4nIUcRJX9-o
Both parents and language professionals have criticized instant messaging and the language that has grown from it. Instant messaging does not help users develop as serious a personal exchange as they would talking to someone face to face. On the other hand, instant messaging allows users to type things on their mind that they might not be able to express as easily as if they were talking in person. Because of the quick and efficient nature of instant messaging, it easy to type and respond almost automatically without thinking about what was just sent. Also, the need for a quick response causes users to use shorthand and less grammatically correct words. The use of shorthand and less grammatically correct words is what irks most parents and language professionals. Does the IM language really hurt language and writing skills in teens? Most research indicates that yes, the culture of instant messaging disrupts student’s academic performance and writing. IM in general creates a dependency on the Internet. Extensive Internet use causes students to be more distracted from their studies. Teachers have found that “bad grammar, poor punctuation, and improper abbreviations” are used in the academic writing of young teens.
Instant Messaging in the Workplace
Instant messaging in the work environment has been found to be a productive feature. Surprisingly, offices that have installed IM programs have noticed that instant messaging has replaced phone calls, emails, and face-to-face conversations. Workers can more easily see if their coworkers are available, and can also ask quick questions with less turn around time. What are some tips for establishing an instant messaging program in the workplace? Microsoft Business lists some do’s and don’ts on their site. Do’s include adopting a policy for instant messaging, organizing contact lists to separate business contacts from family friends, awareness that messages can be saved, awareness of security issues, and keeping messages simple and short. Don’ts include using instant messaging to communicate confidential or sensitive information, allowing excessive personal messaging, comprising the company’s liability, and sharing personal data or information through instant messaging. IM providers that provide too many distracting features are not recommended for the workplace. An IM provider like Jabber is recommended for the workplace because it is easily customizable. This means that all messages can be kept on the company’s server, which is a key factor in securing messages. The image below shows a productive conversation in the workplace.
The Future of Instant Messaging
Instant messaging was once tipped to replace e-mail and be the next big thing, but recent figures have told otherwise. There has been a general decrease in the amount of time users are using their IM providers. Early on, the exclusivity of MSN and Yahoo Messenger, which only allowed MSN Messenger users to communicate with other MSN Messenger users, created a hole that needed to be filled. Eventually, social networking sites came into the picture and filled the hole. Sites like Facebook and Twitter allow users to reach all of their friends with additional features. Social networking sites have been considered a one-stop shop for users because of the instant messaging feature, photos, and re-connection with old friends. Even though Facebook’s chat feature is recognized as the inferior instant messenger, it offers convenience for its users.
Mobile Instant Messaging
The number of mobile instant messaging users is expected to exceed 1.3 billion by the year 2016. With the increasing use, development, and marketing of mobile phones it is easy to see why this could be the case. The number of mobile phone users has already passed the number of desktop users. With apps being created specifically for mobile phones, IM providers will probably look to cater more of their services toward the mobile phones market.
My Thoughts
Instant messaging did not really become popular until I was in middle school. Therefore, I have not been exposed to the culture of instant messaging enough for it to be branded as a disruptive part of my life. However, I can see how young teens that have been exposed to the culture almost as soon as they could use a computer could suffer from too much Internet use and instant messaging. These teens have known nothing but the newest technology that includes video chats, messaging on mobile phones, and Internet access available almost everywhere. I think that mobile phones and mobile technology in general, including the iPad and lighter and smaller laptops that travel well, will continue to be popular and will develop into more sophisticated and convenient technology. It will be hard for the teens that are now growing up with this technology not to become absorbed in all the capabilities it has to offer. However, kids who grew up in the early 90s, including me, still have some protective cushioning from when the Internet wasn’t invented yet.
Sources
1) Dean, Katie. “The Language of IM.” Wired. http://www.wired.com/culture/lifestyle/news/2000/01/33821
2) Enbysk, Monte. “10 tips for using instant messaging for business.” MicrosoftBusiness. http://www.microsoft.com/business/en-us/resources/technology/communications/10-tips-for-using-instant-messaging-for-business.aspx?fbid=2npMw-Ja4gC
3) Kelly, John. “Instant Messaging: This conversation is terminated.” BBCNews. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/8698174.stm
4) Tyson, Jeff. “How Instant Messaging Works.” Howstuffworks. http://communication.howstuffworks.com/instant-messaging5.htm
5) Reisinger, Don. “Beyond AIM: Top Instant Messaging Clients for Business.” Information Week. http://www.informationweek.com/news/software/productivity_apps/214501080?pgno=1
No comments:
Post a Comment