How do I instant message?

To instant message you download and install one of the instant messaging programs, register and then start messaging your friends and making new ones.

Instant messaging is somewhere between sending an e-mail to someone and having a live phone conversation with them - it is more immediate and fun than e-mail while remaining cheaper than long distance phone calls.

For example, you could see when a relative in India gets up in the morning and turns on their computer, and ask them how they are today!

What you need

You might feel that, having taken a while to learn how to use the internet, and maybe set up a computer at home with e-mail and a web browser, the last thing you need is another thing to learn about!

It's true that instant messaging is best left until after you are familiar with the basics of computer and internet use, like e-mail and the web.

But it really doesn't take a lot more expertise to get going, and in the process you may learn other useful new skills like how to play online games that will open doors to a host of other possibilities.

The minimum you will need is a computer and internet connection.

Instant messaging works best with 'always on' connections, and that is why a lot of people use it from their workplace, but it works fine too using ordinary home dial-up connections.

Now you need to get hold of some instant messaging software.

Choosing which software

There are actually over 20 different kinds of instant messaging software you can use, most of them free or 'adware' - meaning you are exposed to advertisements as the price you pay to use the software!

There are only a few kinds in widespread use particularly with home computers, and these are:

There are others. Have a look at the software sites, CNET or Tucows for PCs or Tucows Mac site for Macs.

Getting started

Once you have decided which one you want to use, download the software to your computer by following the 'download' buttons or links from the relevant website.

This will usually download an 'installer' program rather than the messaging program itself: once you have downloaded it, double click on the installer program and the software will be installed on your machine.

As part of this process, or when you first come to use the messaging software itself, you will be asked to register.

You'll also receive your own instant messaging nickname - the equivalent of your phone number or e-mail address, which others will see when they exchange messages with you.

With many IMs your e-mail address is used as your nickname.

The buddy list

At the heart of the instant messaging experience is the list of your special contacts with who you want to exchange messages, known variously as the 'buddy list', the 'contact list' or the 'friend list'.

If there is someone you want to send instant messages to, you need to ask them if they already use an instant messaging program.

If it is the same program you use, all you need is to find out their e-mail address - if it is a different one, either you will not be able to communicate or one of you will need to change their software or add new software to the one you already use.

Once you have someone's e-mail address, you need to ask their permission for you to add them to your buddy list and for them to do the same.

There is a simple way of doing this in your software - usually involving searching for someone using their e-mail address or by first and second name, then clicking on a button to request their permission, then waiting for them to authorise you the next time they come online.

After they have agreed, they are the newest buddy on your list! A glance at the list will tell you whether or not they are online at any time, and if they are, you can send them a message.

Your first message

With your software installed, and a contact or two on your buddy list, you are ready to send your first message!

To do this, you go to your list and select the person you would like to send a message to. Either double click on their name; or use the right button on your mouse and choose 'send message'.

A message window will appear - simply type in your message and click on a button to send it.

You can tell whether or not your contact is online by looking at your buddy list (for example in ICQ, their name changes from red to blue when they come online).

They will receive the message within seconds. They can read it, see who sent it, and reply instantly if they wish, starting a live conversation.

Instant messaging is more immediate than e-mail, being more like a phone call but using writing.

It is great for giving people little reminders of things and seeing their response, or to ask someone a quick question where you need the answer straight away.

Tips

Here are some tips on getting the most out of it:

• Remember people might be too busy to send an instant response, so if they don't, just leave it or send them an e-mail.
• If you are too busy to respond to messages, or are leaving your computer with the internet connection still on, you can use the software to leave an 'out to lunch' or 'away' type message (or sign off altogether).
• If someone you send a message to is not online, the program will tell you. On some systems they will receive the message the next time they come online.
• On some systems a record of all the messages you have sent and received from a particular contact can be accessed using a 'history' feature - useful if you have asked them something before but can't remember their answer.

Stay safe

Like all forms of internet use, instant messaging has its potential security issues, not least because someone else could read messages that pop up on your contact's screen.

A few simple tips will keep you out of trouble:

• Don't use instant messaging for confidential or sensitive conversations.
• Never give anyone permission to add you to their buddy or contact list unless you are certain you know who they are.
• Explore the security options available on your software and set them to tight settings. For example, don't allow anyone to send you files unless they are on your approved list.
• Be careful about the personal information you enter onto the system, as it can sometimes be accessed by anyone looking in the messaging directory, not just your contacts.
• If you are ever pestered or harassed, let your instant messaging software provider know.

Extra features

Using instant messaging software these days is not just about sending messages - there are a host of other features and functions for you to play around with.

They are all based on the concept of exchanging different kinds of information live with someone else over the internet.

Check out the website of the software you use to find out all about the functions of your own software, and then experiment with them with one or two of your buddies. You could soon find out you can:

• Send files, pictures and web addresses quickly and easily between your and your buddy's computers.
• Chat with two or more other people live by typing text into windows and seeing what they type in as a live response.
• Talk to people live, anywhere in the world, for no extra charge (although you will both need a microphone, sound card and speakers for your computers.)
• Set up an IM contact page on the web.
• Send messages from your computer to someone's mobile phone!