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MSN messenger is a free service run by MSN which includes instant messaging (IM) among many other things. IM is a real-time internet communications service that enables you to create a private chat room with another individual. Typically the IM system alerts the user whenever somebody in their private list is online; the user is then able to initiate a chat session with that particular individual. Many IM services can also alert users to information such as calendar appointments, stock quotes, weather, or sports scores. People use IM on all types of computers; desktops, wireless (notebook computers), hand-held, and Web-enabled mobile devices (Mobile Phones and personal digital assistants); users of wireless IM however usually pay a small fee for the service.
IM began in 1996 when a handful of companies started producing client software that allowed them to chat in real-time with other people with the same software. The generally accepted pioneer of IM was Mirabilis with its ICQ client. Although they may have been one of the first users of IM it was not long for major internet players such as MSN (Microsoft) and Yahoo to see the appeal of such a product and the volume of interest from users (Intranet Journal 2003, para. 4).
Today's IM networks have progressed since the earlier versions however only slightly. More advanced IM services allows multi-way chat, large file transfers, and in some cases whiteboard functions (Intranet Journal 2003, para. 8). A major change however which has occurred deals with the multitude of platforms from which users can now access their IM services. As discussed above IM is a tool that is able to work on desktop PC's, wireless and handheld devices.
MSN Messenger includes many different features. Through chat users can chat using a web cam, send text messages to Mobile Phones and express themselves instantly by using emoticons. To personalize MSN messenger, you can sign in with your own picture, create your own emoticons and express yourself with different backgrounds. With a web cam you can send your image in real-time to your friends. You can also play games on MSN messenger, and exchange messages whilst playing. MSN also allows you to decide who you want to exchange messages with and therefore protects your privacy. As well as all this you can swap photos, backgrounds and files instantly, while using Messenger (http://messenger.ninemsn.com.au/).
Of course not everyone agrees that IM is a good thing. Some schools and parents are concerned that IM will place youths in danger of; online gossiping, bullying, pornographic spam, computer viruses and predatory peadophiles. Still for many youths not having access to IM is like not having access to E-mail or Mobile Phones. IM benefits however, such as its ability to extend discussions outside of the classroom, promote collaboration, and build friendships, outweight the risks associated with it (Schmidt 2005, 46).
Intranet Journal. 2003.Instant Messaging: Corporate Productivity Tool or Cool Toy?.http://www.intranetjournal.com/articles/200305/pij_05_01_03a.html (accessed October 27, 2005).
Keith, S. and M. Martin. 2005. Cyber-Bullying: Creating a Culture of Respect in a Cyber World. Reclaiming Children and Youth, 13(4) 224-228 (accessed September 28, 2005, from ProQuest database).
Ninemsn Messenger http://messenger.ninemsn.com.au/ (accessed 5th October 2004)
Schmidt, Aaron. 2005. The Young & the Wireless, School Library Journal 51(10) (accessed 27 October 2005 EBSCOhost database).
Janae Smith 22:54, 27 Oct 2004 (EST)
User:Alicia Michelle Machin 20:05, 27 Oct 2005 (EST)
