Social Media Definitions: I

Instant Messaging (IM):

Instant Messaging, often shortened to simply"IM" or "IMing" is a system for exchanging typed electronic messages which offers real-time or instant text transmission over the Internet using a shared software application on a personal computer or mobile device. Typically, the instant messaging system alerts you whenever somebody on your private list is online. You can then initiate a chat session with that particular individual. Generally included in the IM software is the ability to easily see whether a chosen friend or co-worker is online and connected through the selected service. Instant Messaging system differs from the ordinary e-mail in the immediacy of the message exchange and also makes a continued exchange simpler than sending e-mail back and forth. Most exchanges are text-only, though popular services, such as AOL, MSN Messenger, Yahoo!Messenger and Apple's iChat now allow voice messaging, file sharing and even video chat when both users have cameras. 

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