IM Last modified: Monday, November 13, 2006
Short for instant message, a type of communications service that enables you to create a kind of private chat room with another individual in order to communicate in real time over the Internet, analagous to a telephone conversation but using text-based, not voice-based, communication. Typically, the instant messaging system alerts you whenever somebody on your private list is online. You can then initiate a chat session with that particular individual. See the page of text messaging abbreviations in the Quick Reference section of Webopedia..
•E-mail this definition to a colleague• For internet.com pages about IM . Also check out the following links! Choosing an Instant Messaging System  A series of articles covering the fundamentals of enterprise instant messaging and what you need to know as an IT decision-maker. Instant Messaging Planet  Complete coverage of the business opportunities emerging from IM including case studies, security updates, and infrastructure issues. Open Networks Today  Networking news moves at a fast pace, and Open Networks Today lets you keep up with it. Open Networks Today offers its readers the ability to control how news is presented through customizing content filters, discussions, and news feed links. A Lack of SIMPLE Pleasures This 2002 article from InstantMessagingPlanet examines some of the obstacles SIMPLE has been up against in trying to become a standard. Instant Messaging Can Usher in Instant Problems IT managers are being warned that IM is fast becoming a gateway for more attacks on the corporate network.	Business Computing Chat chat e-mail finger ICQ jabber spim text messaging Give Us Your Feedback Shopping IM Products Compare Products,Prices and Stores Shop by Category: Sport and Outdoor 539 Store Offers Garden 5 Store Offers Specialty Kitchen Appliances 2 Store Offers Office Supplies 9 Store Offers Tools and Accessories 54 Store Offers