VirtualMV/Digital Learning Technologies/Social/Instant Messaging

Overview
Instant messaging (IM) is a form of real-time direct text-based chatting communication in push mode between two or more people using personal computers or other devices, along with shared clients. The user's text is conveyed over a network, such as the Internet. More advanced instant messaging software clients also allow enhanced modes of communication, such as live voice or video calling and inclusion of links to media.



Examples



 * Microsoft: Live Messenger (and Lynx)
 * Skype
 * Google - attached to gmail
 * In Adobe connect it allows students without a web cam or microphone to interact with the class
 * ICQ
 * Yahoo! Messenger
 * AIM
 * eBuddy
 * Xfire
 * U-Stream ( http://www.ustream.tv/ ) Live streaming video
 * 3D : IMVU (http://www.imvu.com/)
 * Consolidation
 * meebo (2009)


 * Microbloggers
 * Twitter
 * identi.ca Arranges the blogs into groups (by status.net). Users subscribe to groups rather than followers (as in twitter). All content added under Creative Commons
 * Freelish Similar to twitter (by status.net) All content added under Creative Commons.

Twitter

 * Flashy ways to display a twitter feed ( http://www.cats-pyjamas.net/2011/06/twitterwalls-the-writings-on-the-wall/ )
 * Example http://visibletweets.com/#query=%23vmvwiki&animation=1
 * Is Twitter a Waste of Time? - Infographic

Issues

 * A big advantage is that the conversation is recorded and can be read quickly (our reading speed is much faster than our listening speed)


 * The disadvantage is that the actual conversation depends on the typing skills of the participants.