What is an Instant Messenger name?
An Instant Message allows electronic communications to happen in real time and an Instant Messenger name or user ID identify the electronic destinations to which the messages terminate. For example email can be compared to a letter sent in the mail while instant messaging can be compared to a conversation over the phone. Instant messaging requires the use of a client program that hooks up an instant messaging service. Most services offer a presence information feature, indicating whether people on one’s list of contacts are currently online and available to chat. This may be called a ‘Buddy List’. In early instant messaging programs, each letter appeared as it was typed, and when letters were deleted to correct typos this was also seen in real time. This made it more like a telephone conversation than exchanging letters. In modern instant messaging programs, the other party in the conversation generally only sees each line of text right after a new line is started. Most instant messagi
