YAHOO MESSENGER : INTRODUCTION

Introduction: Definition Instant Messaging (IM) Programs

Instant Messaging

"A service that alerts users when friends or colleagues are online 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." --Source: http:www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/experiences/glossary_h-n.asp.

"Instant messaging is the ability to exchange messages in real time with other people over the Internet. To send and receive instant messages, you need a connection to the Internet and instant messaging software. The instant messaging software enables you to set up a list of friends who also use the program. Once you set up this list, you can see if each friend is online at a particular moment. If so, you can begin a conversation with them quickly and easily. Most conversations are typed text messages that are sent back and forth, though more advanced users can exchange voice, video, files and more". --Source: http://messenger.yahoo.com

How Do I "Instant Message"

Perhaps the four most well known Instant Messaging (IM) programs are AOL Instant Messenger, MSN Instant Messenger, Yahoo Instant Messenger, and ICQ. These free programs are very similar in terms of their functionality and features. A limited subset of this same type of functionality is found in WebTycho's "class awareness" and "chat" features.

What Should I Consider Before Using An Instant Messaging Program

Each faculty member and student is free to choose whether or not he/she wishes to utilize an instant message program as a course-related communications tool. Use of these programs requires real-time participation by one or more participants and is, therefore, strictly optional. Before you and/or some of your students elect to use an instant messaging program, please consider the following:

• Beyond the information contained in this document, UMUC does not provide technical support for any third-party instant messaging programs. Most IM programs provide sufficient help menus and information.

• At the present time, most IM programs are not compatible with each other. Though you may easily be able to run one or more IM programs on your computer at any given time, these programs do not "speak to each other." For example, you cannot use AOL Instant Messenger to communicate with users of Yahoo Instant Messenger.

• IM programs are best categorized as a "communications" tool, rather than "teaching/learning" tools. As with any communications tool, IM programs can be used effectively or ineffectively. The perceived benefits derived from using this particular method of communication will vary from one person to the next, based on communication preferences, knowledge and understanding of instant messaging, the specific tool being used, and one's willingness to use the program in a manner considered "acceptable and appropriate" to other users. Just as there are times that people do not wish to be contacted by phone or email, the same is true of IM programs. To avoid annoying the people who have agreed to share their usernames with you (for your IM program's "buddy" or contact list) we recommend that use your IM program in a thoughtful and purposeful manner. Uninvited, incessant instant messages can be as annoying, if not more so, than "pop-up" ads.

• As with any software that runs over the Internet, IM programs present certain security and privacy concerns. Some of these concerns may be addressed through end-user controls, such as firewalls, anti-virus software, and selective vs. continuous usage. You can also set the "preferences" (settings) in your own IM program to exclude (forbid) file transfers to and from your computer (strongly recommend). Most IM programs also provide "preference" settings whereby you can limit IM communications to only those people whose names appear on your contact list. Although it is possible to run your IM program continuously while you are online, the choice to do so is yours alone. Some IM Programs, such as Yahoo Instant Messenger, provide you with the ability to log on in "invisible" mode. If you are "invisible", no one on your contact list can tell that you are online. Should you choose to make your "online presence" known to the colleagues, students, or friends on your own personal contact list, simply change your status from "invisible" to "available". Finally, most IM programs will enable you to create multiple user accounts. For example, if you use an IM program at work, you may not wish to receive instant messages from your friends during work hours. Likewise, if you are logged into your IM service during the evening or weekend hours so that you can chat with son or daughter who is away at college, you may not wish to receive IMs from colleagues who may also happen to be online "after work hours". A simple solution to this dilemma is to use two different accounts or usernames -- one for work and a second one for home.

• The popular IM programs offer the ability to communicate with other users in the following manner:

• one-to-one private messaging (text and possibly audio/video, depending on the IM program) with another person whose username is on your contact list.
• group messaging (text and possibly audio/video, depending on the IM program) with two or more people whose usernames are on your contact list.
• With group messaging, it is important to understand the difference between "chat" and "conferencing". Unlike WebTycho, where "conferencing" refers to asynchronous posting and reading of messages, conferencing with IM programs is the same thing as "real-time chat" (text, audio and/or video). If you are "conferencing" with people whose usernames appear on your contact list, your chat is restricted to invited participants. However, the "chat" feature in some IM programs can also be used to participate in the service provider's "public chat rooms". Use of those "public chat rooms" is beyond the scope of this tutorial and strictly "at your own risk".

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