& Instant Messenger Communication of the Future Jonathan Smith MIS

Table of Contents History of Current Uses of Current and Future Competition Future Direction

The Beginnings of the was established on Arpanet in was established on Arpanet in Arpanet (Advanced Research Projects Agency). Arpanet (Advanced Research Projects Agency). Funded by ARPA Funded by ARPA Arpanet was a large network that was developed by the United States Department of Defense. 1 Arpanet was a large network that was developed by the United States Department of Defense. 1

History Con’t The purpose of Arpanet was to attempt to keep the technological abilities of the United States superior and ahead of other countries. The purpose of Arpanet was to attempt to keep the technological abilities of the United States superior and ahead of other countries.

History Con’t SNDMSG > The first program to transfer information over the Arpanet. SNDMSG > The first program to transfer information over the Arpanet. EMISARI > An internal system that allowed the trading of messages on the same computer. EMISARI > An internal system that allowed the trading of messages on the same computer. BANANARD > Allowed sending and reading capabilities and was also the first to provide on-line help. 2 BANANARD > Allowed sending and reading capabilities and was also the first to provide on-line help. 2

History Con’t MSG > Forwarded messages and automatic handling of address fields and replies. 3 MSG > Forwarded messages and automatic handling of address fields and replies. 3

History Con’t Early 1980’s - on the internet was started Early 1980’s - on the internet was started was host-based and on time- shared minicomputers. was host-based and on time- shared minicomputers. Late 1980’s - PC LAN (Local Area Network) was integrated with desktop applications. 4 Late 1980’s - PC LAN (Local Area Network) was integrated with desktop applications ’s – Client server capabilities began to take over. 1990’s – Client server capabilities began to take over.

Current Currently, is one of the most influential ways in which we communicate. Currently, is one of the most influential ways in which we communicate. has transformed that way that information is relayed. has transformed that way that information is relayed. In many cases has replaced the use of physical paper mail. In many cases has replaced the use of physical paper mail. provides ways to be more interactive with the mail that is sent and received. provides ways to be more interactive with the mail that is sent and received. Videos, documents, and pictures are currently being sent through s. Videos, documents, and pictures are currently being sent through s. has been the most rapidly adopted form of communication ever known. In less than two decades, it has gone from obscurity to mainstream dominance. has been the most rapidly adopted form of communication ever known. In less than two decades, it has gone from obscurity to mainstream dominance.

Competition There are no competitors of itself. There are no competitors of itself. There are many competitors with providers. There are many competitors with providers. AOL is currently the leader, but there are many providers that are following close behind. AOL is currently the leader, but there are many providers that are following close behind. MSN, Earthlink, and Yahoo are major providers that are getting new members everyday. MSN, Earthlink, and Yahoo are major providers that are getting new members everyday.

Future of has accomplished many advances since the days if its beginning and further growth of the system is honestly unclear. has accomplished many advances since the days if its beginning and further growth of the system is honestly unclear. There are not many other uses of that have not been utilized. There are not many other uses of that have not been utilized. The continued transfer of files is the future for . The continued transfer of files is the future for . The introduction and progression of instant messenger will be the source for basic communication between internet users. The introduction and progression of instant messenger will be the source for basic communication between internet users.

What Is Instant Messenger? Instant Messenger provides a way to chat over the Internet in real-time. It allows group discussions and it also has the capabilities to allow private conversations. 5 Instant Messenger provides a way to chat over the Internet in real-time. It allows group discussions and it also has the capabilities to allow private conversations. 5

The Beginnings Of Instant Messenger Instant messenger came on the scene in the mid 1990’s. 6 Instant messenger came on the scene in the mid 1990’s. 6 It became popular because of the fact that it provided the ability to talk or chat with others in the internet in real time. It became popular because of the fact that it provided the ability to talk or chat with others in the internet in real time. It was faster than . It was faster than . The parties involved had to be online in order to communicate. The parties involved had to be online in order to communicate.

History of Instant Messengers Con’t AOL was the pioneer of the instant messaging craze. AOL was the pioneer of the instant messaging craze. AOL ( America Online ) was the leader in the ing system and worked to be the leader in instant messaging service. AOL ( America Online ) was the leader in the ing system and worked to be the leader in instant messaging service. AOL is the only instant messenger program that is compatible with non- members. AOL is the only instant messenger program that is compatible with non- members. There are no other instant messenger systems that have been able to develop the link that enables their members to be able to instant message those outside of their system. 7 There are no other instant messenger systems that have been able to develop the link that enables their members to be able to instant message those outside of their system. 7

History of Instant Messenger Con’t Instant Messenger’s popularity was furthered in 1996 by Mirablis Instant Messenger’s popularity was furthered in 1996 by Mirablis Mirablis was a company that was started by four Israeli programmers. Mirablis was a company that was started by four Israeli programmers. They developed the first free instant messenger that any person was able to use. 8 They developed the first free instant messenger that any person was able to use. 8

Instant Messenger Currently Instant messenger continues to grow. Many instant messenger services have developed since the start of instant messenger. Instant messenger continues to grow. Many instant messenger services have developed since the start of instant messenger. Instant Messenger services have expanded to have chat rooms, which are groups of people that can all communicate to one another. Instant Messenger services have expanded to have chat rooms, which are groups of people that can all communicate to one another. Most Internet programs have chat room programs included in the use if their programs. Most Internet programs have chat room programs included in the use if their programs.

Instant Messenger Competition Similar to , there are competitors of instant messages itself. The competition exists amongst the providers of the instant messenger services. Similar to , there are competitors of instant messages itself. The competition exists amongst the providers of the instant messenger services. AOL is also the leader in instant messenger service. AOL is still ahead of the game because if the fact that they enable their members to chat with non- members. AOL is also the leader in instant messenger service. AOL is still ahead of the game because if the fact that they enable their members to chat with non- members. Competition for this specific feature is minimal. Small providers like Trillian are trying to put there mark on the industry, by providing chat capabilities to all users including non-members. Competition for this specific feature is minimal. Small providers like Trillian are trying to put there mark on the industry, by providing chat capabilities to all users including non-members.

Competition Cont’d AOL is far more advanced on the services that it provides to it members. AOL is far more advanced on the services that it provides to it members. The other providers provide free s, but the services are not up to par compared to the service of AOL. The other providers provide free s, but the services are not up to par compared to the service of AOL.

Future of Instant Messenger The future of instant messenger can be seen through the direction that it is developing today. The future of instant messenger can be seen through the direction that it is developing today. The ability to vocally speak to the people that you are online with. The ability to vocally speak to the people that you are online with. Becoming a substitute for the telephone Becoming a substitute for the telephone With the World Wide Web, long distance calls will be obsolete. With the World Wide Web, long distance calls will be obsolete.

Future of Instant Messenger Con’t The implementation of video conferencing. The implementation of video conferencing. The ability to see the person or persons that you want to speak to. The ability to see the person or persons that you want to speak to. The ability to use instant messenger on camera cellular phones. The ability to use instant messenger on camera cellular phones. The ability to use instant messenger on PDA’s and other handheld devices. The ability to use instant messenger on PDA’s and other handheld devices.

End Notes (google search)

Bibliography Websites Interviews Fashaw, Gene (current uses of ) Greer, Vincent ( current uses of instant messenger)