If you are using AIM as your instant messenger service then you probably have access to most of your friends while they are online. That is, of course, if they use AIM as well. In the past this might have prevented you from speaking to friends and family while you were online, but today there are instant messenger alternatives that allow you to use one service to contact them all!
New Alternative to Old Messenger Services
New messenger services are taking advantage of the number of different messenger programs and turning them all into an asset. These new instant messenger programs are developed with the ability to communicate with the servers of some of the worlds top communication options. AIM, MSN Messenger, Yahoo Messenger, ICQ and others have become integrated into one package. Now you can talk to anyone at any time.
The best thing about these newer services is that they are free to users. There is no cost to operate and use universal messenger services, unlike the fees you would need to pay to be a member of AOL or MSN. The messenger servers sometimes include advertising panes in their interfaces, but they do not utilize pop-ups or other annoying advertising techniques. It just depends on the server you choose. Read the FAQ provided by the developer for further information.
Possibly the best thing about next generation instant messengers is the ability to experience audio and video. Now you can use your computers microphone to speak in real time to your friends while they are online. You can even use your web cam to have a face to face meeting with a loved one even when they live thousands of miles away, and for free.
If you use instant messaging services you know that not everyone in your network uses the same messenger. This can be a pain since youd need to keep all of your different servers running simultaneously to communicate, as well as juggle multiple windows when trying to talk to everyone at the same time. This is no longer a necessity, however, thanks to next generation instant messenger services.
The Latest Messengers Integrate the New with the Old
The latest instant messenger services have taken the complaints of users and turned them to their advantage. These services are capable of bridging several different providers like AOL or MSN and allow you to receive all of your IMs in one place. Yahoo! and ICQ are also compatible with these new messenger services.
These IM managers are able to include audio and video input as well, which can make for a terrific way to stay in touch. You dont need to keep track of multiple windows either, since it is possible to host a web cam chat across the different platforms, provided everyone has the necessary hardware.
The newer instant messenger services also integrate file sharing, which is good for people who want to share documents, pictures, music and anything else their internet connection can transmit effectively. Many companies use this option when their employees need files quickly and are on a business trip or stationed in a distant office.
Internet chatting has evolved a lot from its beginnings. The first chat servers were huge public forums for discussion about various topics. Today, chatting has developed into one of the most efficient forms of communication we have, and all for little to no cost. Most instant messenger programs come attached to an actual internet service provider, but today independent companies are entering this communications market.
Using Alternative Instant Messengers
The biggest drawback when using an ISPs instant messenger service is only being able to communicate with other members of the network. If you use MSN and some of your friends use AOL, the only choice you have is to install the other software. This means having two windows open simultaneously, which eats system resources. Now, however, there are next generation instant messengers that allow you to communicate with AOL, MSN, Yahoo!, and others without having to run each program independently.
New messenger services take advantage of audio and video as well. It is no longer necessary to only communicate with friends and family by written text. Now you can use a web cam and microphone to have live conversations with the people you love. You can even join web groups that share your interests and have large community discussions.
Newer services usually offer free versions of their software. It is provided free by including advertising panes in the interface. You can pay for premium service and eliminate the advertising pane, depending on how intrusive you find it to be. Otherwise the alternative instant messenger services can be used at no cost to you, and can be set up in minutes.
Web cams can be bought either online or from your favorite computer superstore. The most inexpensive versions cost between $10 and $20, although the resolution on these is poor. If you are going to be using your web cam a lot you might want to consider a more powerful model with a better lens and higher resolution. Web cam packages that come coupled with a microphone headset are also great since theyve got everything you need to stay in touch in one place.
You can use the Internet to keep in touch with friends and family in a number of ways. You are no longer limited to using email or instant messaging, as audio and video have become more readily available for communication services via the Internet. Today there are chat rooms that are devoted to using other multimedia inputs to help create a more complete experience.
Using Audio and Video in a Chat Session
In order to use audio in your online chat sessions you will need a microphone so your friends can hear you. Speakers are not a big concern since every computer is shipped with them, but a microphone might need to be bought separately. Computer microphones are very inexpensive, and even high quality models can be bought for about $10.
For video chat you need a web camera which can be connected to your computer through one of your USB ports. They are able to send high quality, streaming images to your friends computers if you are both using the same service. Many services are offering fully integrated video and audio in their chat services, which makes for some powerful conferencing options companies can utilize when departments are in separate parts of the country.
One great service is called TeamSpeak, which is used by many gamers to keep in contact during gaming sessions. Competitive clans utilize TeamSpeak to great effect because it can be set to activate by voice input, keeping your hands free to play the game. TeamSpeak can be used to contact anyone on the current server by audio only, as no video capability is available.
Audio and video have become much easier to transmit online thanks to more powerful internet connections. People with web cams and microphones are communicating like never before with live, hi-res images and crisp audio. If you have a web cam and a microphone then all you need is an internet communication service that powers them.
Devoted Internet Audio Communities
Internet audio communities allow you to chat online with others who share your interests. If you love to cook and want to share your recipes with other enthusiasts you can join a cooking audio community and trade with friends. People who love sports can swap game stories or statistics with other sports lovers.
Using an audio community is very easy, and requires very little hardware. A decent microphone is important because streaming audio can be difficult to understand if your mic is not powerful enough. Background noise is often a problem. The other requirement is speakers, but they should already be included with your computer. Finally you will need to download the community software, which you can find easily on the Internet.
AOL and MSN offer plenty of chat communities but fall short where audio and video is concerned. Most often these features are reserved for registered users, so joining a community ends up costing you the price of membership each month. There are new services, however, that are completely free and even offer video conferencing communities to those who have web cams as well as microphones.