Week 4 - Instant Messaging

To successfully complete No. 4 - Instant Messaging, you must...
READ this blog post.
DO and THINK about the information in the "Learn More About" activities.
LEARN by completing the Hands On Activities, including reading the Important Tips.
Your total time commitment is about 30 to 40 minutes.

Introduction to Instant Messaging
Instant messaging (IM) is a form of online communication that allows real-time (or close to) interaction between two or more people through personal computers or mobile computing devices via the Internet. IM users can exchange messaging privately, similar to email, or join a group conversation. Although typed text remains the primary convention for IM, the technology has grown and now allows users to send images, audio and video files and other attachments. An early version of IM appeared first in the late 1990s. The list of IM tools has grown to include dozens of applications.

Technologies that enable IM such as wireless connectivity and web-ready mobile devices have become widespread.The interactive nature of IM is closer to spoken conversation that written correspondence. Users communicate in a manner that is a step beyond email. They get a sense of presence of other IM users through emoticons and other devices. Yet, they have a perception of distance and often safety.

Learn More About Instant Messaging
1. Read this Wikipedia article on Instant Messaging, at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Instant_messaging. (Time Commitment 5 - 10 minutes)
2. Read this article Email is Dead, at http://www.bigblueball.com/forums/general-other-im-news/41527-ap-aol-instant-messaging-trends-survey-email-dead.html (5 - 10 minutes)
3. Read this article, Instant Messaging Proves Useful In Reducing Workplace Interruption, at http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/06/080603120251.htm (2 - 5 minutes)

Hands on Activity -
Communicator is an instant messaging tool that enables real-time conversation in business environments. Open Communicator by selecting the icon on your task bar; it's located at the bottom right of your computer screen. Then, select open. Here are your hands on activities:

1. Status Change -To change your status, location or sign out, select the big green button at the top left on the open Communicator box. You can also do these same things by selecting with your left mouse button the Communicator icon on your tool bar.

2. Sort your Contacts -Select the icon at the far right side of the search contact box. All the functions for your contact list appear here. You can sort your contacts either by availability or name by selecting the appropriate option.

3. Create and View a Personal Note -Tell your co-workers more about about your status by creating a note. To view the note, rest your pointer over the status icon. The icon looks like a piece of paper. Keep your notes short. An effective note is just a few sentences. Notes show up next to your contacts name.

4. Search for people not in your contact list -If you would like to search for those people that are not currently in your contact list, type their name in the query box. Auto-complete will assist you by listing all possible matches in the organization.

5. Tag a Contact - You can set Communicator to notify you when a contact’s status changes to Online. In the Communicator window, in the Contacts list, right-click the name of the contact. Select Tag for Status Change alerts.

6. Send an Instant message - Double click on a contacts name. A dialog box opens. Type your message in the box.

7. Send a Instant message to multiple people simultaneously -To communicate with multiple people, select the first contact name. Select the enter key to open the chat sesson. Then, press the + key and hold down Ctrl key. Select subsequent contacts. Select the enter key again and they are added to your chat session.

8. Invite Others to join conversation in progress - During a conversation, to add additional people, select the invite option. You can invite others in your contact list or invite by email address. You can also do this under the actions icon. It's the dialog box at the top left corner.

Great job! Next week, you'll learn more about multi-media.