The future of Instant Messaging

[diplomatic_lies]

I was doing a quick press release when I came across this article:

http://www.registerguard.com/news/2004/01/03/a1.messaging.0103.html

Summary: Older people are getting into instant messaging. New uses they've found include:

-Communicating via IM with the family in the same house
-Talking with co-workers
-Talking with people about difficult issues
-Wife and husband using it while in the same room


While instant messaging can be useful sometimes (ie. efficient corporate communication, talking with your cousins in another continent), I'm not sure I like the way its going.

Seems like people are getting waaaay too dependent on it.

Are we gonna whip out our laptops during a date and have a raunchy "Instant Messaging Session"?

 

[Francisco d'Anconia]

It's nothing new, it's just an alternative to message rather than using their cell phone text messaging. Plus there's no charge for it.

Also, it's usually faster (more efficient) than email. Plus people may be concerned that their emails are being monitored at work. They're unaware that their IMs can be monitored too.

 

[Vincent]

I still vow it's retarded to use it to chat with girls. You can't express yourself freely and communication is crippled.

I still use it to chat with my family since all my siblings live in other states and it's easier then calling. I'll also talk to my friends over it but just ones that I don't see face to face, ie ones in other states.

 

[Bonhomme]

Spam IMs

I've recently noticed a spate of spam (hacker?) IMs, which I duly ignore, unless there's an accompanying email addy.

If there is an email address, I generally send an email saying: "You should be careful sending IMs to strangers, because they might be trying to hack on to your computer."

 

[Joe The Homophobe]

the future of instant messaging should be having instant messaging dissapear as video chat are available for everyone.

you know, video chat with anyone in the world with the same ease of use as instant messaging, and tv quality video.

 

[NYC Dude]

It is understandable to use IM at work, but with your wife/husband while they're in the same room? That's just silly. It is an efficient way to communicate ideas, basically a cross between the telephone and e-mail, but it can't become a substitute for all modes of communication.