Instant messaging (and there are other, similar programs, freely available or distributed by other service providers) is different from most other forms of even Internet-based communication, not only for its speed of response but for its informality as well.

To use America Online Instant Messenger (AIM), first connect to the Internet via whatever service you use. Then start up the AIM software, enter your screen name and password, and watch the following screen:

You have the option of dividing your buddy list into multiple folders, helping you to organize your "buddies" in whatever way is convenient.

The buddy list window is active as long as you are logged into AIM. Because of the informality of the medium, and the obscurity of AOL screen names, people who just happen to drop by may have no idea what you are using AIM for -- some workplaces find using AIM inappropriate. And you can't hide its use, either -- even if you minimize screens, a distinctive icon in the lower right corner of the screen indicates AIM is still there. And instant messages that come in for you will appear on the screen, or blink at the bottom of the screen if you attempt to place other windows over them.

If you really must use AIM in the workplace, you can take some steps to make it easier for your co-workers and yourself:

• inhibit people not on your buddy list from reaching you during the work day;
• create and invoke an "away message" that says you're at work and how you can be reached;
• create a user profile that shows you're professional -- and use AIM for fun only after work, perhaps even with a different screen name than the one used at work.
• remember that disruption is a powerful force in slowing down work! When IMs come in, even if they can't be interpreted as being anything but work-related, they cause a momentary lull in any other work, which can snowball. If you're interested in getting something done, it's a good idea not to log on to instant messaging at all. Even if nobody you know is online, someone could show up and surprise you. Even if you use the "away message," you will find yourself at times unable to resist the urge to see who's there and what they've said.

Note the extreme informality used in the conversation. The message moves through the Internet faster than you can type. Users are forced to cut corners in ways they might never apply in other forms of writing.

• Because it goes on in real-time, nobody is very careful about spelling.
• I personally seldom use capital letters and often will ignore punctuation to allow me to respond to messages faster.
• I also find that brief sentences are easier to follow than paragraphs.
• It is very difficult to talk about more than one subject at a time, because a new subject will come up before you can respond to the first one.

There are also standard rules of etiquette followed in this environment:

1. If you don't know someone, don't contact them unless specifically invited. Some users have profiles inviting new conversations; others only feel comfortable talking with those they know.
2. If someone can't talk, or doesn't share your interests, don't continue the conversation. That can cause problems. Likewise, don't take a conversation in directions that those you talk to are uncomfortable with.
3. Be careful with fonts, sizes and colors -- the large selection enables you to be hard on the eyes. Teenagers have been known recently to use aLtErNaTiNg CaPs AnD sMaLl LeTtErS. This is an abomination. :-)

References

http://www.imunified.org/

A move is underfoot to create a standard of interoperability between instant messaging providers. AOL, the largest such provider, claims as of late 2000 not to need this, but other providers believe AOL wants its Instant Messenger to stay proprietary to keep its own customers (and potential customers) in the fold.