Chat Programs

Chat programs allow people to communicate one to one over the Internet. How chat programs function varies widely, with some allowing chat between two users and some allowing chat between hundreds of people.

Online chat programs are usually referred to as either,

- Instant Messengers
- Internet Relay Chat
- Messaging Clients
- GUI IM programs

By and large, most chat programs are referred to as Instant messaging (IM) programs. An instant messaging system works through the use of a shared client. Two users or more will install the same instant messaging client (such as MSN Messenger), input one anothers account name and then initiate a text based real time communication.

The main component in a IM programs is a friends list. And the difference between a friends list in a IM program and other online communication technologies, such as email, is it's real time nature. The list and the chat is in real time and the sending of a message to a person who is not currently logged on is not possible. However, some IM programs are now allowing messages to be sent to persons off-line, to be read at a later date, thus removing the original difference IM had to email.

As the IM market has become more competitive, developers are in a race to create more advanced features. Some of the latest features developed, are the integration of webcams and microphone chat. Commonly implemented features include a history of saved messages, group contacts creation, emotions, transfer of small files and a small advertisement on the client page.

Instant messaging programs have a long history, dating back to computer systems developed in the 1960's. The modern IM programs were created in the early 1990's, with ICQ and AOL Instant Messenger being amongst the first and most popular. ICQ were able to claim two patents for IM in the United States. This forced subsequent developers, such as MSN, to create new protocols for IM, so as to not infringe on ICQ's patents.

A popular open source protocol was released for IM in 2000, Extensible Messaging and Presence Protocol 'XMPP'.

Below are some of the most popular chat programs available on the Internet,
  • IRC
  • A famous and popular chat program that has been implemented on a range of platforms such as Windows, Mac and Unix machines. Mirc, Pirch, Virc, Ircle and MacIrc are just a few of the different versions of IRC available. IRC is a complex system that allows hundreds of people to chat online in a wide variety of topics.
  • Basic IRC Commands

    • All IRC clients such as Mirc and Ircle have an input area where you can type what you want to say or issue IRC commands. You issue a IRC command by typing a line beginning with a / (forward slash) character.

      Commands,

      • /help - gives help for the list of commands you can use.
      • /w <ESC><ESC> - if you want to find all the commands beginning with a letter such as W then type this command.
      • /server - change or view servers by typing this command and the server address after.
      • /nick - change your nick/name used on irc.
      • /list - lists IRC channels, number of users, and topic for each.
      • /names #channel-name - shows the nicknames of all users on that channel.
      • /whois nickname - Shows information about the nick specified.
      • /quit - exit irc.
  • ICQ
  • Like IRC, ICQ is a complex system with a wide variety of features, such as the ability to search for people to chat to who have similar interests. ICQ cannot be used by children under 13 years of age and is not recommended for beginners.
  • I upgraded ICQ and lost my Contact List

    • When this happens follow these instructions,

      1. Browse and then locate the icq/2002a folder
      2. Then rename it to dbbackup.
      3. Then launch your ICQ DB Convert (START button -> Programs -> ICQ -> ICQ DB Administrator)
      4. Follow the on-screen instructions.
      5. This should then find your lost contact list.
      6. Otherwise check the icq website for further help.
  • Lost or forgotten an ICQ password

    • Go to the below addressattempt to retrieve lost or forgotten passwords on icq,

      https://web.icq.com/secure/password

      You will however still need information such as,

      • ICQ number
      • the details as you entered when you registered icq such as Nickname, First name, Last name and Email.

      If you have lost or forgotten these then you contact the ICQ support team.

  • AOL Instant Messenger
  • Supplied to users of AOL ISP service, AOL Instant Messenger has become a very popular program with millions of AOL users using it daily. A popular feature of AOL Instant Messenger is that you can add it to your web site.
  • MSN Messenger
  • You first need an email account at hotmail to download MSN Messenger and beable to create an account. Once this has occurred you can transmit instant messages with other hotmail account users. MSN Messenger is popular due too it's simplicity and ease of use.
  • Popup Spam

    • Messenger pop-ups are a new kind of spam that targets PCs running Microsoft Windows 2000 or XP.

      Example is,

      There are not currently many solutions to this problems apart from disabling messenger.

      In Xp do this,

      • On the Start menu, click Control Panel,
      • then click Performance and Maintenance
      • then Administrative Tools.
      • Double-click Services.
      • Scroll through the list of services until you see Messenger, and then double-click it.
      • In the Startup Type list, click Disabled.
      • Under Service Status, click Stop, and then click OK.

List of other IM programs
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