Instant Messaging

Alan Parker Robert CallowBrian Kearney

Fortunato MacariDaniel HarringtonChang Gong Wang

Introduction

• Text only

• America Online Instant Messenger

• Microsoft Network Messenger

• Webcasting

• Wireless

Brief History

• BBS was commonly used

• Early 90’s saw more internet activity

• Instant messaging came on the scene in 96 with ICQ

Instant Messaging

• Clients are used to chat with others

• Maintain Buddy lists

• Change states

• Can be customised

Instant Messaging

• Users require to log in

• Buddy lists stored on server

• Possible to search for users

• Person’s user name is required to chat

Instant Messaging

• Closed source

• Proprietary communication protocols

• Strong competition between major players

Instant Messaging

• Most IM clients are closed source

• Most use proprietary communication protocols

• Strong competition between clients

AOL Instant Messenger

• AIM is America On-line’s IM client

• Currently the largest with 53 million active users • AIM supports encrypted messaging

• Automatically scans files for viruses

• No offline messaging

Yahoo Instant Messenger

• Don’t have to download a client

• Must have a yahoo e-mail account

• Integrates well with other Yahoo services

Microsoft service Network (MSN)

• Need to create a .net passport

• Comes with most windows installations

Text Only

• Forums, BBS, IRC

• Public servers usually organized into rooms each with its own topic

• Public rooms don’t always need authentication

Internet Relay Chat (IRC)

• IRC is open-source, open-protocol

• Uses plain text

• Users needs to have a nickname but not a password

• Administrative power given to certain users

Webcasting

• Broadcasting video or audio over the web either live or delayed

• Uses streaming media technology

• Web casting usually refers to non-interactive streams or live events

• Used extensively in commercial sector for E-learning

Wireless

• Wireless instant messaging is available for hand held devices

• AIM Yahoo Msn have versions for these devices

• A commonly used method of this is SMS

GAIM & Trillian

• GAIM and Trillian allow different IM’s to communicate with each other

• AIM Yahoo and MSN oppose this

• GAIM and Trillian are the IM’s of tomorrow!

GAIM

THANK YOU