An application called Instant Messenger (IM) has attracted more and more attentions from the internet users around the world lately. It is said that IM has provided them a brilliant platform to communicate using PC with a relatively lower cost as compared to other medium of communications. Anyone can use IM regardless where he or she came from. The borderless form of communication has enabled a close relationship emerging between friend, relative, family member, and even entrepreneur to deliver their messages instantly and effectively. Some of the IM platforms even allow for using video and sound instead of the text itself.

Below I listed some of the services provided by the IM that are used extensively anywhere and anytime by the internet users.

AOL Instant Messenger

AOL became the most well-known IM ten years ago. Its popularity particularly dealing with its excellent services has successfully attracted many users which later leading the company to release stand-alone official AIM client called AOL Instant Messenger or AIM. AIM uses TOC protocol and OSCAR instant messaging protocol which was released by AOL on May, 1997 and it permits registered users to communicate in real time. The new version was specifically designed for WindowXP to enable the internet users to use video and sound, sharing files and other attractive features which are added from time to time.

AIM is always regarded as the most popular method of sending instant message as it has the largest group of registered users as compared to other IM interfaces listed here. Indeed, it is a user-friendly tool that is easily manipulated by the users to communicate with each other. AOL also offers an AIM client software which can be used for Mac OS X, Mac Os, and Linus.

Yahoo Messenger

The application of Yahoo Messenger enables its users to communicate each other by using the provided current Yahoo ID to sign in. It comes with an attractive emoticon, direct communication via video, fail transfer and so forth. Its front page appears to be more attractive as compared to other IM platforms but its users are lesser than AOL. It is a user-friendly communication tool and thus it is more appropriate to be recommended for a newbie who wishes to communicate friends, relative and family members.

The interesting feature of Yahoo Messenger is that the users are allowed to share photos easily and effectively. Instead, you can choose the theme to indicate your mood or feeling via its excellent feature called IMVironments. Indeed, it is the best IM client and hence it is worth using it. Its new version, Version 8, comes with the added Voice to make the communication sounds more attractive and impressive. This version also enables the users to include “Widgets” into the new messenger. With this added feature, you can exchange message with other users who use MSN Messenger and Window Live.

Google Talk

Google is the search engine favored by the most internet users as compared to Yahoo, Ask, Netscape and other search engine sites. Google provides its web-based application for instant messaging and voice over internet (VOIP) called Google Talk or simply known as Gtalk. Gtalk enables its users to make calls instantly and effectively without paying a single cent. It also allows the communication of other XMPP (eXtensible Messaging and Presence Protocol) clients with Google Talk users with its open protocol, XMPP. Now, BlackBerry is available to use within Google Talk which can be downloaded at Google Talk's blackberry. There is also an Add Friend button, a “Search all contacts” field to enable searches in both Google Talk and Gmail contacts.

Google has made the communication more convenient by introducing Google Apps Team addition to enable talks among co-workers or classmates taken place in a friendly environment. With this add-in application, anyone can obtain Google Docs to create and share documents, spreadsheets and presentations. As Google Apps Team addition recognizes the connections to co-worker or classmates effectively, their contacts will automatically be added in your contact list. To try this, try visit Google Apps Team Addition Homepage.

Google Talk is a good platform to choose for an instant messaging and open communication as it can be used for many languages. To do this, you just add any of the 23 other translation bots. They are all named by two-letter language abbreviations as "[from language]2[to language]@bot.talk.google.com", and the supported language pairs are: ar2en, de2en, de2fr, el2en, en2ar, en2de, en2el, en2es, en2fr, en2it, en2ja, en2ko, en2nl, en2ru, en2zh, es2en, fr2de, fr2en, it2en, ja2en, ko2en, nl2en, ru2en, zh2en. So, French to German translation, talk to fr2de@bot.talk.google.com.

On June 4, 2008, Google has added many other languages with the aims to reduce the language barriers with automated chat translations many people have been experiencing. The new bots speak Bulgarian (bg), Croatian (hr), Czech (cs), Danish (da), Finnish (fi), Hindi (hi), Norwegian (no), Polish (pl), Portuguese (pt), Romanian (ro), Swedish (sv) and Traditional Chinese (zh-hant). Basically, there are 26 new bots: bg2en, cs2en, da2en, en2bg, en2cs, en2da, en2fi, en2hi, en2hr, en2no, en2pl, en2pt, en2ro, en2sv, en2zh-hant, fi2en, hi2en, hr2en, no2en, pl2en, pt2en, ro2en, sv2en, zh-hant2en, zh-hant2zh, and zh2zh-hant. To check out the full list of supported languages, simply log in to supported language combinations.

ICQ

ICQ is an instant messaging commonly called “I seek you” which is regarded as a stand-alone IM client since it was first released in November, 1996. It was also the first to have features like “Buddy” and an interactive communication platform. This application has become portion of family AOL Time Warner, but unfortunately it is not advertised extensively like AIM. It is an application compatible with the PC operation of OS which includes cell phone and Symbian OS. That is why it is not surprising to find that its usage is growing.

ICQ provides many excellent features which make it stands firmly among other IM platforms. It has marvelous features include spelling checker, file transfer, “Push to talk” (PTT) service, video messaging and e-mail integration. Not only ICQ let you communicate with friends and colleagues in real time, but also you can play many online games to entertain yourself. ICQ is definitely the best choice for anyone who wishes to search for an attractive and entertaining IM platform.

MSN

Like other leading websites, Microsoft provides its excellent IM plug-in known as MSN Messenger. If you wish to use the services provided by MSN Messenger, you should first have a registered Hotmail to access this type of IM platform. It offers many interesting features such as video messaging, voice communication, emotion icons and many more.

MSN Messenger also comes with a facility to enable you to search via IM to obtain your desired findings. That means you can use it as a web search without opening another window. This feature is very unique as it is not available at other IM clients. MSN is an ideal web-search and IM interface for entrepreneurs, organizations, institutions, administrative and the home users as well. The other amazing feature is that you can leave a message or send a note even you are offline. Despite a large number of people are engaging with PC Windows every day, it is undeniably that this platform has improved the searches, instant messaging and real-time communication in a wide coverage.

Jabber

Jabber is an excellent XML-based protocol to enable real-time instant messaging for e-business. The protocol is added to include Voice over IP and file transfer signaling. It is unique that it integrates the existing e-business into a more personal and dynamic environment. Despite of this excellent feature, Jabber has enabled the communication with other IM platforms to be taken place at the same time with AIM and MSN. Nevertheless, it is not suitable for a newbie who is not familiar with the interface of IM. Once you have familiar with Jabber, it could be a marvelous tool used specifically for an extensible messaging and presence information (buddy lists). Unlike other IM clients, Jabber is an open system that requires its users to use their domain name and a suitable Internet connection to access the server and to talk to users from other IM platforms like Google Talk, Pidgin, Miranda IM, Gizmo Project, Psi and iChat as well.

iChat

iChat is an AIM client by Apple Inc. that allows users to integrate MSN, Yahoo and Google Talk contacts into the Jabber pane. This client provides an excellent facility to enable its users to communicate with either users from Mac, AIM or Jabber. With its new features of video backdrops, Photo Booth effects, Keynote presentation and photo slideshows making iChat a fun and live on-line messaging tool to connect people around the world.

The most unique feature of iChat is that it enables a full-screen personal video conference over thousand miles away via any type of broadband connections. Besides that, an application of iChat provides an interesting client to be integrated with OS X. Therefore, Mac users who are using AIM should give iChat a try.

AOL is suggesting that people "migrate" to Firefox or Flock but for most people this might just be complicated and the best route to take would be to just install Firefox from the Mozilla web site. I don't know much about "Flock" but i have always used and enjoyed Firefox (which is free) especially with the extensions and add-ons you can get which are also free. At least Firefox has a large user base and it is very well proven especially when you customize it to your liking.

I may be a Firefox fan, but I have to say that whatever browser you now choose to use, it will definitely be an improvement over Netscape's unreliable service over the past few years.

So now we can finally say: Rest In Peace Netscape, 1994-2008.

How does one go about choosing a suitable Instant Messenger for their needs or desires? Well, here's a start: Ask yourself, "what is my main purpose in getting this IM service"?

Are you using it to stay in touch with friends? Maybe your goal is to make new ones. Or maybe you need a messenger service more suitable to keep in touch with business associates or clients.

Yahoo IM is very popular for the making new friends purpose. It features chatrooms ranging from art and literature to music, business, hobbies and crafts. MSN and AOL IM are great for business correspondences, or keeping in touch with old friends.

Whatever your choice of Instant messenger, I hope it makes your communications less draining, quicker and more efficient.

Happy chatting!

“LOL” has many meanings. Its most common meaning is “laugh out loud,” or “lots of laughs.” One uses this expression when he or she thinks that what is being said is funny. For example, “person A” could say, “Yesterday I accidentally ate two slugs during my grandmother's graduation party.” In which case “person B” might respond, “LOL.”

“LOL”'s original meaning has changed. And now the term is used in the way that the person who is saying it is not in reality commenting on the humor of the earlier statement. In fact, the person saying it rarely thinks that the statement is funny at all. Whatever he really means by “LOL” is often infused with sarcasm or irony and largely hidden behind his computer screen.

Depending on its context, the implied definition may vary. Sometimes “LOL” is used when the person speaking has nothing useful to contribute to the conversation. For instance, if “person A” were speaking to “person B” about his hamster's death, when “person B” had no interest in his hamster's death at all, he might almost haphazardly type in “LOL” to sound interested.

“LOL” has become used so much during instant message conversations, that an online discussion is not considered a true online discussion unless “LOL” can be found within it. That being said, some people just type in “LOL” randomly, as if to ensure the authenticity of the online conversation. They feel that without the use of this so-commonly-used slang term, their conversation is dull and pointless. “LOL” is also used so much because it has become engraved in people's minds and they are almost drawn to the idea of just typing “LOL.” This is somewhat similar to typing “Hm”, while thinking of a reply.

Sometimes I feel that “LOL” is taking over everything. Like most trends, it began as a novelty, a barely recognized slang word. Soon came the beginning of Internet chatting, and with it, the meteoric growth in the use of “LOL.” It began as a rarely used term, falling behind the peaking “bb (bye bye)” and “gtg (got to go)” From there it slowly rose, passing the plunging “jk (just kidding)” and “idk (I don't know).” Eventually it reached its apex, as one of the most-used words during Internet chatting.

Soon it will be in the English dictionary, right in between “Lok Sabha (the lower house of the parliament of India)” and “loliginid (of or belonging to a family of long-bodied cylindrical squids).” It will be translated into every language, from A-ch'ang to Zyrian. Eventually, “LOL” might have its own acronym, and will be shortened to just “L.” Then “LOL” will become so popular that it will aspire to its own button on the keyboard.

Slowly that button will grow to the size of the spacebar, to make it more convenient and easy to push. Soon enough “LOL” will have its own button on the mouse right in between the right and left clicker. Before long, there will be movies and television shows about “LOL.” There will be “LOL” fashion lines and action figures. There will be “LOL” mugs, shot glasses and alarm clocks (batteries not included). Parents will name their dogs, and eventually their children “LOL.” Congress will pass a law that only someone named “LOL” can become president, and ultimately, “LOL” will rule the world!

Until then, I can do nothing but stare at my computer screen and watch those “LOL”s fill the screen.

Things you'll need:

Mozilla's Thunderbird e-mail client, found here

About 5-10 minutes of your time to set up your e-mail account

If you have a Yahoo! e-mail address and no upgraded service, the Yahoo! Widgets program, found here

AOL Standard (@aol.com, @aim.com, or @netscape.net)

After installing Thunderbird, launch it. It should ask you to set up an e-mail account. Make sure e-mail account is selected and click next. Enter your name and e-mail address and click next. Select IMAP at the top of the page. In the incoming server box, type imap.aim.com (for @aim.com or @netscape.net e-mail addresses) or imap.aol.com (for @aol.com e-mail addresses). In the outgoing server box, type smtp.aim.com (for @aim.com or @netscape.net e-mail addresses) or smtp.aol.com (for @aol.com e-mail addresses). Click next.

From your e-mail address that you typed in earlier, the program will obtain your username, but make sure it is correct before clicking next on this page. Choose your account name; it can be anything. Click next again, and then check to make sure everything is correct before clicking finish.

Unfortunately, the AOL and AIM services require advanced settings, so we're not done yet. Attempting to access your account before this advanced section is complete usually gets you a message from the server stating that you need to use ESMTP, EHLO, and AUTH. On the bar right above the toolbar, click Tools and then Account Settings. To the left, under the account name of the account you created, click Server Settings. To the right, under Security Settings, click “Use secure authentication.” Then, back on the left, go to Outgoing Server (SMTP) and, on the right, click Edit.

A new window should come up; under Security and Authentication in this window, check off User Name and Password and then type in your user name. Make sure “No” is selected under Secure Connection. Finally, click Ok in both windows that were open, and attempt to synchronize your mail. It will ask you for your password at first, but then your mail will be there.

AOL's My eAddress

Follow instructions from the section above, using imap.aol.com, but your user name in all cases is your whole e-mail address. For example, if your e-mail address is Joe@myemails.com, the whole thing is your user name.

Google's G-Mail (@gmail.com)

After installing Thunderbird, launch it. It should ask you to set up an e-mail account. Make sure e-mail account is selected and click next. Enter your name and e-mail address and click next. Select POP at the top of the page, and input pop.gmail.com in the Incoming Server box. For the outgoing server, type smtp.gmail.com in the Outgoing Server box. Click next. From your e-mail address that you typed in earlier, the program will obtain your username, but make sure it is correct before clicking next on this page.

Choose your account name; it can be anything. Click next again, and then check to make sure everything is correct before clicking finish.

Attempt to synchronize your mail, and it will ask you for your password. Type it in and click ok. You will receive all of your mail from that e-mail account.

Yahoo! Upgraded Service (@yahoo.com)

This is only for those who pay to get an enhanced Yahoo! mailbox. See instructions below for regular (free) e-mail accounts.

After installing Thunderbird, launch it. It should ask you to set up an e-mail account. Make sure e-mail account is selected and click next. Enter your name and e-mail address and click next. Select POP at the top of the page, and input pop.mail.yahoo.com in the Incoming Server box. For the outgoing server, type smtp.mail.yahoo.com. Click next. From your e-mail address that you typed in earlier, the program will obtain your username, but make sure it is correct before clicking next on this page. Choose your account name; it can be anything. Click next again, and then check to make sure everything is correct before clicking finish.

There's more to be done. On the bar right above the toolbar, click Tools and then Account Settings. To the left, under the account name of the account you created, click Server Settings. To the right, under Security Settings, click “Use secure authentication” and select SSL under the Use Secure Connection setting. Also, change the port setting above the security settings box to 995. Then, back on the left, go to Outgoing Server (SMTP) and, on the right, click Edit.

A new window should come up; under Security and Authentication in this window, check off User Name and Password and then type in your username. Make sure “SSL” is selected under Secure Connection, and then change the port number in the Settings box to 465. Click ok in both windows. Attempt to synchronize your mail, and it will ask you for your password. Type it in and click ok. You will receive all of your mail from that e-mail account.

Yahoo! Standard Mail (@yahoo.com)

This process will not get your mail in Thunderbird, because Yahoo! standard mail cannot be accessed unless you login to the webmail server at yahoo.com. So, instead, I can save you the trip to the Yahoo! page to see if you have mail by using Yahoo! Widgets.

Install Yahoo! Widgets, and then right click the Widgets icon in the taskbar (it looks like two small gears on a small black background) and select Open Dock. On the right side of your screen, a small black tab should appear; hover your mouse over it to open it up, and then click the plus sign in the upper right hand corner (it should be about the height of your screen after pressing the plus button).

Find the Yahoo! Mail Checker by using the arrows at the bottom of the screen to scroll through the widgets, and then click on it to make it appear on your desktop. Enter your Yahoo! username and password, and it will show you how many new messages you have waiting. Clicking on the number of unread messages opens up your web browser and takes you directly to Yahoo! Mail.

MSN (@msn.com or @hotmail.com)

Sorry, but only the paid Microsoft Live Hotmail subscribers can get their mail from their desktop. Even worse, there is no Yahoo! Widget or Windows Sidebar Gadget to do this job for you. Finally, only Microsoft Outlook, Outlook Express, and Windows Mail can display these messages. But several Yahoo! Widgets are available that will tell you about new messages. Search the (located at Yahoo! Widgets) website to find one you like, because there are several.