Instant messaging (IM) is about communicating with others in real time, over the internet, through your computer. It is usually done in text, but more frequently now, in voice and video. In many messaging services there is a facility for messages to sit and wait for you to respond (like a post office holding messages), so it doesn’t necessarily need to be in real time (just faster that way!).
Features
Yahoo! Messenger needs to be downloaded (very easy process) and a password and login set up. You also need to add your contacts or groups of contacts by adding their email addresses. It offers text, voice and video communication. You can also appear offline to some but not to others and can talk in a chat room. It also allows conference calls and files transfer.
Cost
Free
What it's used for
To talk to people when there is no inbuilt IM in the software you're using with them.
Why it's good
It’s very easy to use and many people already have it and know how to use it. It’s also easy to add people if you know their name and email address.
Problems/downside
The text seems to be fine but the voice can drop out and time delays can be experienced depending on the connection and location of participants. South Africa worked fine one night and was awful the next. It’s not a specific education service so to protect your privacy provide the minimum of information when setting up your account details (just the required fields).
Examples to check out (places to play are marked with an *)
Alternatives
Criteria/factors re tools and processes – Yahoo! Messenger
| Criteria | Comment | |
|---|---|---|
User
friendly |
Yes | easy to download, set up and use. |
push
or pull in kind |
Both | if leave running on your desktop it will notify you if someone wants to talk to you. Or you can preset a call time and then open it just when you need it. |
low
or high interaction with participants/facilitators |
High | Very high interaction (or can use in lecture style) |
synchronous
or asynchronous activity, |
Synchronous | Synchronous for voice and can use synchronously or asynchronously for text chat |
facilitator
skills of a low or high level |
Lowish | Fairly low depending own how many features you choose to use. |
participant
skills of a low or high level |
Low to medium | Medium for download and set up of mike and speaker/headset then low as it’s very easy to use. |