Instant Messaging
From Isopedia
Technical Information
How does instant messaging work? Software is installed into a computer and then it is run locally on each computer. This then allows the computers to communicate over the Internet. A "client" needs to be downloaded to each computer that want to communicat. Then, using a propriety protcol, the "client" connects to the ICQ server. Once logged into the server, you are able to contact other "clients". To these other clients, you can send real-time messages. In order for this to be accomplished, the server creates a temporary file that maintains connection and contact information, allowing users to communicate.
What are some features of AIM?
1.Instant messages: send notes back and forth with a friend who is online. 2.Chat: create your own custom chat room with friends. 3.Web links: share links to your favorite web sites. 4.Images: look at an image stored on your friend's computer. 5.Sounds: play sounds for your friends. 6.Files: share files by sending them directly to your friends. 7.Talk: use the internet instead of a phone to actually talk with friends. 8.Streaming content: real-time or near-real-time stock quotes and news.
Historical Information
How did instant messaging begin? In the beginning, people used bulletin boards to talk to each other online. Bulletin boards connected users by connecting them to the computer hosting the bulletin board. However, having to disconnect from the first board to dial up and reach another was complicated. People started spending more and more time on the Internet. As time online increased, the technology improved. Chat-room software was developed and sites such as Talk-City were used. Email was also used as a main source of communication. However, as the pace of the world increased, the rapid response of e-mail was not enough. Also, there was no way to know if the person you were emailing was online to recieve the email. Sending multiple emails back and forth became very time consuming. All of these elements contributed to the technology of instant messaging.
Who was responsible for it? Instant messaging was created in July of 1996 by four Israeli avid-computer users. Their names were Yair Goldfinger, Arik Vardi, Sefi Vigiser, and Amnon Amir. They started a company called Mirabilis. Their company, Mirabilis, used a technology called ICQ, (I seek you). This ICQ technology allowed internet users to locate each other online and to create peer to peer communication. American online bought out Mirabilis and acquired the ICQ technology.
Origin of the term: Paul M. A. Linebarger devised the term for a device in the science-fiction stories he wrote. His instant messages were to be across interstellar distances at speeds faster than light. American Online did not originally even refer to their own IM service as an instant messenger and instead the early software they used was released as "flashmail". Users in the beginning spoke of "flashing" one another. Because some people thought this was inappropriate, the name was changed to instant messaging.
References
Haag, Baltzan, Phillips. Business Driven Technology, 1st edition. McGraw-Hill Irwin, 2005.
Team Members
- Amy Bordonaro
- Richard Cayer
- Jacqueline Miller
- Jennifer Rebai
