ABSTRACT
Instant messaging and e-mail are closely related with one major difference. Instant messaging allows for continued exchange rather than the back-and-forth exchange made possible by e-mail. The ability to see whether another user is connected to the Internet and exchange messages has found a wide audience. Instant messaging requires that both parties be online at the same time. The recipient must also be willing to accept messages, since most instant messaging software allows users to reject messages. America Online (AOL) is often credited as the first provider to popularize instant messaging. When an instant message is sent, the recipient will hear a sound indicating that he or she has a message. Instantaneous receiving and sending instant messages is almost like having a real conversation with another person. It is also possible to carry on a conversation with more than one person; just be careful that you are sending the right message to the right recipient.
