Disadvantages Of Instant Messaging

Published Date: 02 Nov 2017

Instant Messaging (IM) is a set of real-time text-based communication between two or more users over the internet, why call instant messaging? Because it allows user to send or reply message instantly to other user, and the message will only takes very little time to reach to the other person PC, and it doesn’t matter how far the user live at; as long as they have internet services then they will receive your message for sure. Furthermore, IM been updated support instant file transfer services; means that, you now can share your file immediately with friends by clicking couple of buttons and then the file will shared to your friend instantly. Besides there are few features are added to instant messaging; example, users may see each other via webcams or talk directly for free over internet by using any microphone devices and IM also will save the conversation between users in a limited time so that users can have their later reference.

History

In the record of history, the very first "instant messaging" is just a command-line UNIX "talk" with using a split screen as it user interface, and was popular in the year of 1980s and the early of 1990s, but the concept actually dates back to the mid-1960s. The Multi-user operating system such as the Compatible Time-Sharing (CTSS) which was created at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in 1961 and it allowed up to 30 users to log in simultaneously and send messages to each other. The system, which is similar likes now what we call as electronic mail (Email). In 1965s, had already hundreds of registered users from MIT and others are from New England Colleges.

In 1980s, The Zephyr Notification Service, created at MIT through a project called Project Athena; function of these service are used UNIX to locate and send messages to users. At the same years, CompuServe's CB Simulator was been created and it used to simulate citizens band radio through text-based messages and user handles, is considered the first service dedicated to online chat.

Two years apart, Commodore International released the Commodore 64 PC in 1982. The Commodore 64 PC is included an Internet service, called Quantum Link (Q-Link), which came to be known as America Online (AOL) in the '90s. Q-Link users could pay a monthly fee to send text-based messages to others via modem, and the receiver had the option to either responding or ignoring the messages.

In 1996, a company Mirabilis launched ICQ. ICQ was a text-based messenger that was the first to really reach a widespread market of online users. ICQ allowed for multi-user chats, file transfers, a searchable user directory and more. ICQ then was selling it to Digital Sky Technologies in 2010. The latest version of ICQ now includes Facebook integration, mobile sync and further updates.

However, when AOL launched AIM in 1997; and the biggest turning point occurred on these years too; because AIM allowed users to send message to each other, and also included user profiles, away messages and icons for more engagement. Between that, AIM also develop 2 different bots such as StudyBuddy and SmaartChild which indirectly in year 2005, both bots succeeding attracted more than 53 million of users to their instant messaging markets.

The following years 1998, the Yahoo! Messenger launched and it originally named is Yahoo! Pager. It’s used of the Yahoo! ID to let users log in and Yahoo! Messenger included the custom status function and also the address book customized, and Yahoo also had a chat room services which same like AOL.

In 1999, the strongest company Microsoft launched their owned instant messenger and named it as MSN. MSN enables users to exchange online messages and email with the more than 40 million users of the MSN Hotmail TM Web-based email service as well as with people using AOL Instant Messenger. Microsoft then renamed the service as Windows Live Messenger in 2005, adding photo sharing capabilities, social network integration and games. In 2009, the company announced more than 330 million active users every month.

As of 2010, social networking providers often offer IM abilities. Facebook Chat is a form of instant messaging, and Twitter can be thought of as a Web 2.0 instant messaging system. Many instant messaging services offer video calling features, voice over IP and web conferencing services. Web conferencing services can integrate both video calling and instant messaging abilities. Some instant messaging companies are also offering desktop sharing, IP radio, and IPTV to the voice and video features.

How does it Work

Basically, when you start up any instant messaging (IM) programs it will connect to a particular company’s IM server, such as Google, Yahoo or AIM and through the internet to verifies users personal identity or in other words called authentication or sends information to users about their recently messenger updates.

Furthermore, when you sign up to let’s say AIM messenger, it IM server will verifies your username and password and then log you in; at the same time you’re already connected to the IM server. In your IM program, you will see a list of friends is currently online, there are also statuses will either change from ‘Online’ to ‘Busy’, ‘Away’ or Offline also based on that person is logged in or they using their IM program or not. Sending a message to friend; message will travel from your IM client to the IM server you are connected, the message then only will reach your friend and a windows will pops up on his/her PC.

Moreover, if sending file to your friend. Your IM client will ask the IM server where your friend is located and then it will helps your computer connect directly to your friend computer. The reason that IM client do that is because direct connected between two user computers can prevent IM server uses much internet bandwidth on travelling file between two users.

Positive and Negative aspect

Advantages

There are many advantages to using instant messenger. Basically the concept is very simple which is to put people together when they aren't in the same city or even the same country. Nowadays people can play games with strangers over internet and business or companies can even do business through use of the IM. .It connects people regardless where they are actually located. In the company, colleagues can send and reply instant message in real time without face to face, meanwhile the work report can be shared during the instant chat session; the IM can make a virtual conference without get all the related people together in a physical meeting room. People can speak to multiple people in the virtual conference, share ideas and get conclusions. People on a business trip can contact the co-works inside the company through IM as well. What’s more, the staff can talk to customers or vendors online as well, in other word, now people can do business through the instant messenger direct rather than use the traditional method like make phone calls.

Disadvantages

There are of course disadvantages of instant messaging. While the real time response is great, IMs do take away the face to face, personal experience that people have when they are speaking to someone in person. You can't really get a very good emotional bead on someone through IM nor are you sure of who you are talking to through IM, which can be dangerous if you aren't careful. Other disadvantages include -

Uncertainty that the person you are talking to is the person you are talking to, especially when you are not very familiar with the things and risks of the internet. This can be dangerous. Also your computer may be attacked of viruses due to you may accidentally receive some files from the unknown people or click a disguised URL.

In company environment, there will be potential for misuse. People in workplaces may use the IMs during work time to chat with friends and waste time or even bring the possible virus from outside.

There are also some security risks like the content of the instant message may be intercepted. As a result the sensitive data like customer list, sales report may be revealed on the internet.

In conclusion, if you will use an IM inside the company, you should consider the advantages and disadvantages of the instant messenger as mentioned above and select an enterprise level instant messenger will be a good choice since most of the IMs offer strong encryption of the instant messaging transferred. If you will use an IM with friends and family, please do not receive files from the people unknown.