● 即時通訊（IM）歷史 |即時通訊（IM）歷史資料
即時聊天使親友的溝通突破時空極限，使辦公室的溝通突破上下級極限，使陌生人的溝通突破環境極限，使自我與外界的溝通突破心理極限……
作為使用頻率最高的網絡軟件，即時聊天已經突破了作為技術工具的極限，被認為是現代交流方式的象征，并構建起一種新的社會關系。它是迄今為止對人類社會生活改變最為深刻的一種網絡新形態，沒有極限的溝通將帶來沒有極限的生活。
聊天一直是網民們上網的主要活動之一，網上聊天的主要工具已經從初期的聊天室、論壇變為以MSN、OICQ(又稱QQ)為代表的即時通訊軟件。大部分人只要上網就會開著自己的MSN或QQ。據統計，迄今為止，全球約有一億多人使用即時通訊軟件在網上交流。中國網民慣用的即時聊天工具騰訊QQ從1999年2月誕生到現在，注冊用戶已超過1.6億，在線用戶最高時超過200萬人，而每天獨立上線人數更是達到一千二百多萬，擁有活躍用戶5500萬，幾乎覆蓋所有中國網民。
即時通訊工具使用頻率之高，超出任何一種網絡軟件。有專家預測，到2004年，即時通訊軟件將取代電子郵件，成為最流行的互聯網通訊工具。
Sanjay Jindal, Director, Technology, Chanin Capital Partners talks to Yair Goldfinger, Founder, ICQ:
互聯網誕生于傳統的電話網絡，通訊交流可以說是互聯網天然的應用之一。電子郵件就是最重要的通訊交流工具，是互聯網最早的“殺手級應用”。此后興起的網絡論壇和網絡聊天室都是網絡聊天的前身。但是，個人對個人網絡聊天的真正崛起還是需要從ICQ的傳奇故事開始。
雖然，互聯網是典型的美國產物，但是與萬維網由歐洲人發明一樣，ICQ也不是美國人的杰作。對于沒有專家指導、也沒有受過專門教育和培訓的四個猶太年輕人來說，能夠在三個月內發明ICQ這個在因特網上掀起風暴的新技術，應該說是個奇跡。高德菲因格等四名20多歲的發明人（Yair Goldfinger (26,Chief Technology Officer), Arik Vardi (27,Chief Executive Officer), Sefi Vigiser (25,President), and Amnon Amir (24),），最初的種子基金是向其中一位的父親借貸的，并在美國硅谷開始了創業歷程。后來，美國在線公司三年內，分兩次共向其投入4億多美元，使ICQ技術得到進一步發展和完善。2001年5月，全球ICQ的用戶就已經達到了1億。
ICQ 源自以色列特拉維夫的Mirabils公司（成立于1996年7月）。Mirabils 這個單詞是拉丁文中神奇的意思。ICQ就是英文“I SEEK YOU”簡稱，中文意思是：我找你。這是一款網絡即時訊息傳呼軟件，支持在互聯網上面聊天、發送消息、網址及文件等功能。在你上網時，用ICQ可以很快的找到你的朋友，當然他也必須裝上這個軟件。美國在線AOL購買下ICQ以后推出功能更加強大的99a、99B、2000等版本，內建了個搜索器，另外連網頁的制作都可以由ICQ獨立完成，不用另尋免費空間就可以使用，當你使用時進行適當的設置你的電腦就成了個服務器，網友們通過您的電腦就可進入到您的主頁參觀。
幾種主要即時通訊工具：
ICQ：最早的網絡即時通訊工具ICQ，原是以色列的幾名學生開發出來的，其最大的特點是具有網上信息實時交流的功能。ICQ改變了整個互聯網的交流，使之變得更加及時和方便。
QQ：國內最時髦的即時通訊工具當數騰訊的QQ，連到網上的一臺臺電腦上，屏幕上大多跳躍著一個個各式各樣“小人頭兒”———QQ上的好友來信了。它為用戶提供尋呼、聊天、新聞等信息，還有手機上的移 動QQ服務，現在QQ已經升級到2003版。
MSN：軟件巨頭微軟之后開發了MSNMessenger，把MSN Messenger嵌進了WindowsXP操作系統里。
YahooMessenger：目前微軟公司的MSN已經發布到了6.0版本，有即時消息、表情符號下拉列表、語音對話、視頻會議、文件傳輸等功能。
著名搜索網站Yahoo同樣推出自己的聊天工具Yahoo Messenger(雅虎通)。雅虎通支持多種操作系統，并支持其他便攜式無線設備，因此，具有與其他QQ所不同的商業盈利手段。不僅可以隨時查看新聞和天氣預報，甚至可以隨時查閱股票行情。
History of Instant Messaging
Instant messaging was created in July of 1996 by 4 young Israeli avid-computer users. Yair Goldfinger (26,Chief Technology Officer), Arik Vardi (27,Chief Executive Officer), Sefi Vigiser (25,President), and Amnon Amir (24), started a company called Mirabilis in order to introduce a new way of communication over the Internet.
These guys realized that millions of people were connecting to the Internet to use the World Wide Web, but these users were not interconnected. They created a technology which would enable Internet users to locate each other online on the Internet, and to create peer-to-peer communication channels easily. They called their technology ICQ, (I seek you). and released it in November of 1996.
Within 6 months, by "word of mouse", 850,000 users had been registered by Mirabilis. By June of 1997, Mirabilis was able to handle 100,000 concurrent users and had become the largest Internet communications network.
Success of this magnitude with a new communication technology did not go unnoticed, and Mirabilis and ICQ were acquired by America Online in June of 1998 for $287 million.AOL had also created it’s own Instant Messanger system.
Microsoft had also created its own Instant Messaging client and service, MSN Messenger, and another Internet heavyweight, Yahoo! created one as well.
Because IM services evolved from propriatry systems created by companies to make a profit, their systems remain unable to interoperate because of the desire to control the IM market. AOL and ICQ, even though they are owned by the same company, are not interoperable. The AOL and ICQ clients cannot communicate with one another, and AOL maintains both systems and market dominance in the IM field.
All this may change soon. Conditions of the AOL-Time Warner merger require AOL to open up its IM systems. Several competing companies have joined together to to advocate for an IM protocol similar to those that allow the interoperability of email systems.
Other companies have taken a different approach rather than wait for an agreed-upon standard. Jabber is one company that has created a client program capable of communicating with various IM systems.
All info taken from www.gslis.utexas.edu
Printed from http://www.viewz.com/features/imguide.shtml
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Instant Messaging Guide
The Basics
Much like E-mail, Instant Messaging (IM) has revolutionized the way we communicate. With just a few clicks and keystrokes, you can instantaneously talk with anyone around the world. Just download an IM client, sign up for a free account and you’re on your way.
The most popular Instant Messaging clients are ICQ, AIM and MSN Messenger. These clients allow you to send text messages, files, images and movies to other users over the Internet.
Instant Messaging History
Since the early ’90s, AOL has always had a form of Instant Messaging but it wasn’t until 1996, when they introduced the Buddy List feature, that it really took off. In the same year, ICQ (I Seek You) burst onto the Internet scene and helped popularize Instant Messaging. Whereas AOL Instant Messaging was exclusive to AOL members, ICQ was a free IM software available for download to anyone.
In 1997, AOL introduced AIM (AOL Instant Messenger), which allowed its members to talk with non-members for the first time. AIM eventually usurped ICQ as the prevalent IM client, and in 1998, AOL bought Mirablis (ICQ’s creator), thus becoming the dominant player in Instant Messaging.
As the popularity of Instant Messaging grew, other IM clients like MSN Messenger, Yahoo Messenger and a variety of smaller players eventually entered the mix. However, it’s important to point out that there is no interoperability between the different IM clients. Each IM software uses its own proprietary system and network.
This lack of intermingling led to the so-called IM Client Wars. Microsoft’s MSN Messenger tried to access the AIM network in 1999 to create a bridge between their users and the more numerous AOL and AIM members. AOL viewed it as a security risk and blocked MSN Messenger from its systems. The IM Client Wars has now settled down into an unsteady d閠ente.
How to Decide on an IM client
Since all IM clients are free, deciding on an Instant Messenger is easy: Just find out what IM client your friends and colleagues are using.
As we mentioned, there is no standard protocol for Instant Messaging, so you can only send messages to people who are using your IM client and services. For example, ICQ users can’t send IMs to MSN users and vice versa. The notable exception is AIM: AIM users can communicate with AOL members.
So, first discover the prevalent IM client in use among friends or colleagues, or you may have to use all three or more just to be able to talk. Chances are you will have to use 2 or more IM clients to talk to everybody.
ICQ (I Seek You)
Platform Availability: Windows, Pocket PC, Mac, JAVA, Palm, Linux (developed by other companies)
ICQ is regarded as the pioneer of Instant Messaging. It was created by a small Israeli company, called Mirablis, in 1996, and was bought up by AOL in 1998. Its popularity has remained high and a number of new features have added to the ICQ experience.
Features
In addition to the usual IM functions of sending messages and files in real-time, you can Leave A Message, check your e-mail through ICQ, play games with ICQ buddies, or block troublesome users. You can also use ICQ2Go! to send instant messages from any computer with an Internet Explorer Web browser.
The Contact List
At the heart of ICQ is the Contact List. This is your lifeline to all of your IM pals. With a quick glance, you can see who is online and who is available to chat. ICQ will also alert you when a friend pops online.
Message Central
ICQ has numerous features that deal with sending and receiving messages. If you’re busy or just want to step away from the computer for a few minutes, you can let people know you’re unavailable by setting your "Availability" mode.
There are 7 different availability modes: Available/Connect, Free for Chat, Privacy, Away, N/A (Not Available), Occupied and DND (Do Not Disturb). If someone sends you a message while you’re in one of the last 4 above modes, they will receive an automatic message telling them that "You’re away" or "Occupied." You can customize the actual message for each mode. I.E. "Be right back" or "I am currently unavailable, please do not disturb me unless it’s urgent."
If you don’t want people to know that you are online, you can select the Privacy mode. This mode effectively renders you "invisible" to other users, because you are listed as "Offline" in their contact list.
The Good and The Bad
ICQ’s major selling point is the number of registered users - more than 128 million to date and rising. The ICQ Anywhere policy is also a welcome asset. You can talk with anyone through phone, handheld, Web or e-mail. You can also use the ICQ Phone to make telephone calls to ICQ pals, or do ICQ to ICQ calls through your PC. This service has a monthly fee.
The drawback to all of these features is the drain on computer resources and memory. Also, Spam has found its way onto ICQ. Using the ICQ pager, Spam is sent out to a block of users in the form of instant messages. ICQ 2001b had problems letting people share files with others behind a corporate firewall. But, the recent release of ICQ 2002a has fixed the firewall problem and sports better Spam protection.
Getting Started With ICQ
Download the ICQ Client at http://www.icq.com.
Sign up for an ICQ Account - Be careful not to include private information like your address or phone number.
Connect to the ICQ Server - Open the ICQ client and input your username and password.
Your Contact List pops up. Start adding ICQ buddies by clicking on the "Add " button. Search for ICQ buddies by entering their e-mail address, full name, nickname, or ICQ number. Once you have found a user to add to your contact list, click on their username and a request for authorization will appear. Click on "Request" to send it. If the user accepts, a request for your authorization will come back to you. If you choose to accept, you will be added to their contact list.
Sending and Receiving IM’s - To send an instant message double-click on a user in your contact list. A message box will appear. Enter your message in this box, and click on "Send". You will know that you have a message when a flashing yellow note replaces your ICQ icon in the taskbar. To receive the message, just double-click on the flashing yellow icon.
To log off ICQ, click the "Online" button and then click "Offline".
More ICQ help
Take a tour of the ICQ features
AIM (AOL Instant Messenger)
Platform Availability: Windows, Pocket PC, Mac, Palm, Linux, Mobile (Phones)
AOL Instant Messenger 4.7 (AIM) is the only outside IM link to AOL or CompuServe members. The ability to talk to AOL subscribers has fueled the popularity of AIM, since it’s a free download available to everyone.
AOL members can also use AIM to send instant messages without having to sign on to the AOL service.
Features
Anyone familiar with AOL will see the similarities AIM shares with AOL’s own Buddy List and Instant Messaging service. However, where AOL’s Instant Messaging acts as a valuable feature in its online service, AIM has been built to stand on its own. Thus, it’s been souped-up with many features like the stock ticker, file transfer, chat rooms, and built-in e-mail client.
AIM Quick Buddy is another great feature that lets you send instant messages through a browser, so you can access your AIM account through any Internet-enabled computer. If you have a personal web page, you can easily add interactivity by using AIM remote, which allows people to IM you directly from the web site.
You can also use "Away Notices" to explain your absence from the computer.
Buddy List
One of the best features of AIM, the Buddy List lets you organize your online friends into easy groups like "Work", "Family", etc. To group your online buddies, just hit the List Setup tab to get started. You can add a new group or start populating the default groups by hitting the Add a Buddy button at the bottom. You can always re-organize later by easily moving buddies to new groups.
Sending & Receiving Instant Messages
Use the Buddy List to easily send IMs. Just double-click on the user’s name and an instant message box will appear. You can also customize your IMs with a buddy icon, create your own chat rooms, or talk with multiple AIM users in one window.
The Good and the Bad
The good: AIM’s attractiveness lies in the IM bridge it creates between AOL and non-AOL members. The only way non-members can communicate with the more than 34 million AOL subscribers is by using AIM.
The bad: It automatically launches when you start up your computer. For some, this may be a good thing, but others may prefer to open up applications at a time of their choosing. AIM also lacks some of ICQ’s useful features like leaving a message; requiring authorization for someone to add you to their buddy list; or rendering your online presence "invisible" to people you’d prefer to hide from.
Getting Started With AIM
Download the AIM Client at http://www.aol.ca/aim/index_eng.adp.
Sign up for an AIM account, or use your existing AOL, Netscape, CompuServe 2000, AOL Hometown, or AOL.com’s Personal Finance Centre account.
Open the AIM client and enter your screen name & password.
To send an instant message, double-click on a screen name in your buddy list. Type in your message. Click "Send".
To sign off, click on "My AIM" and then click "Sign Off".
For more help, go to http://www.aol.ca/aim/index_eng.adp or click on the Help menu in AIM.
MSN Messenger
Platform Availability: Windows, Mac, Pocket PC, Microsoft TV, MSN Companion
MSN Messenger is Microsoft’s offering in the IM market. Like AIM and ICQ, it’s a free download that lets users send instant messages and files to MSN friends anywhere in the world.
(Windows Messenger is the XP version of MSN Messenger and has been integrated into the operating system. Windows XP owners can easily start Instant Messaging by going to Start/All Programs/Windows Messenger. Get more information on Windows Messenger here.)
Features
In addition to the standard Instant Messaging features, you can page a friend’s cell phone via instant message, use your PC microphone to carry on a voice conversation, play DirectPlay games with other MSN members, or keep track of your stocks with the MoneyCentral tab. MSN Messenger also has a user-friendly feature that notifies you when you receive e-mail through your Hotmail Account or any other e-mail account. There’s also an indicator that lets you know when a MSN friend is typing a response to your IM.
Contact List
Use the Contact List to see who’s online and available to chat. You can then exchange instant messages with up to four friends in the same conversation window. MSN correspondents in your Contact List can also be broken down into groups for easy organization.
Seeing and Being Seen
A nice privacy feature is the ability to "hide" your online presence. You can appear "Offline" to everybody in general or only to those you choose by using the "blocking" option. You can also block people from sending you instant messages.
The Good and the Bad
The Good: The privacy features of MSN Messenger are a definite plus as you have control over whether you’re seen or not and by whom.
The Bad: When you receive e-mail notifications, pop-up boxes will annoyingly appear on the screen.
Getting Started With MSN Messenger:
Go to http://messenger.msn.ca to download the latest version of MSN Messenger.
Open MSN Messenger and sign up for a Microsoft Passport account. You can use your existing hotmail account if you already have one.
Use your new login and password to sign-in.
To add users to your contact list, click on the Add button.
You can search for users by e-mail address, sign-in name, or by their full name and address.
To send a message, double-click on the user you want to IM. Type your message in the window, and click "Send".
To sign out, click on "File" and select "Sign Out."
For more help, go to http://messenger.msn.ca/Default.asp, select the appropriate platform and click on Help.
Smileys & Shorthand (IM Lingo)
To express emotions or facial expressions, there is Instant Messaging lingo or Smileys that are universally understood. Smileys are a combination of certain characters. Most common are the : (colon) for the eyes and the ) (right parenthesis) for the mouth. There are a ton of different combinations that you can use.
Here are a few: (Turn your head to the left side to see what they look like.)
:) Happy
:( Sad
:O Surprised
:P Sticking Tongue Out
:D Big smile
:*) Kiss
;) Winking
:/ Frustrated
^_^ Squinty eyes
You can also use shorthand in Instant messages. Here are a few phrases to get you started:
lol laughing out loud
brb be right back
btw by the way
bbiab be back in a bit
bbl be back later
thx thanks
sup What’s up
l8r later
ttyl talk to you later
ttfn ta ta for now
gmta great minds think alike
imho in my humble opinion
np no problem
gtg got to go
Click here to get a more comprehensive list of smileys and shorthand.
Privacy And Security
In the first days of Instant Messaging, there were security concerns that hackers could break into your computer through ICQ - a possible risk - but those concerns have now been allayed with beefed up security codes and firewalls.
Having said that, all of the major IM clients have experienced security flaws at one point or another that were quickly fixed and were not taken advantage of by malicious hackers. As well, there have not been any major virus outbreaks, but the potential for malevolence always exists.
E-mail users have been well educated in the ways of virus protection as a result of various high-profile viruses. The dangers in Instant Messaging are no different, and people should maintain good security measures when using IM clients.
Here are a few easy tips to avoid potential pitfalls:
It’s a good practice not to transmit sensitive and confidential information through Instant Messengers. IMs could be intercepted and read.
Each IM client asks you to fill out a profile of yourself. Be sure not to include private information such as phone number and address.
Never accept files from people you don’t know and make sure you know a file’s properties when receiving files from people you do know.
Never click on unknown or suspicious hyperlinks.
Always download the latest MSN, AIM or ICQ patches, and be sure to upgrade when a new IM version becomes available. New upgrades not only offer new features, they also plug potential security holes.
As well, each major IM client has different privacy and security features that are worse and better than the other. Here is a quick list of the "the good" & "the bad" security features.
ICQ (I Seek You)
The Good: Your IP address is hidden from other users. An IP address, the Internet equivalent of a unique phone number, is what hackers use to pinpoint your computer and then perhaps attempt a break-in. But if they don’t know the location of your PC, they can’t hack in. In older versions of ICQ, your IP address was left open for everyone to view.
In order to talk with another user, you must request their authorization to add them to your list of contacts. This is a great feature because it bars people you don’t want to talk to from Instant Messaging you.
Another great security feature is the privacy option. Someone needs authorization to be able to see your online status, so only friends & family will see when you are online.
The Bad: In the last few versions of ICQ, a feature called ICQ Pager has facilitated the proliferation of Spam, but the recent release of ICQ 2002a promises better Spam protection.
AIM (AOL Instant Messenger)
The Good: If someone IMs you, and they are not on your buddy list, you can accept or decline their IM. This is similar to the authorization process in ICQ, but you can see the person’s username and have the option of receiving their instant message.
AIM requires authorization from the intended recipient before images and files can be sent, which is good since you can see what someone is sending you before you accept it.
The Bad: AIM allows other users to add you to their Buddy List without your permission. So someone you don’t know could have you on their Buddy List and know when you are online.
MSN Messenger
The Good: You can control who sees your online status and who doesn’t. You can also block certain people from sending you IMs. Another great privacy feature is the ability to see who has added you to their contact list.
The Bad: Someone can add you to their Contact List without authorization, although you can find out who has added you and block them from seeing your online status and sending you messages.
Chat
A Short History of Internet Protocols at CERN
Basic History of the Internet at CERN and in Europe, published in early 1995.
wwwinfo.cern.ch/pdp/ns/ben/TCPHIST.html
history of IM
http://www.almark.net/Internet/html/slide6.html
History of ICQ
Very basic history of this popular instant messaging program, which was developed by Mirabilis.
www.rpi.edu/~leec7/cyber_art/icq.htm
History of IRC (Internet Relay Chat)
Short, but reasonable history of Internet Relay Chat and the various networks.
daniel.haxx.se/irchistory.html
ICQ Celebrates Five Years
Brief article commemorating half a decade of ICQ, includes details of the instant messaging client’s history and growth.
www.betanews.com/article.php3?sid=1005886405
IRC History by Jarkko Oikarinen
The founder/inventor of Internet Relay Chat tells the story of how it came to be.
www.irc.org/history.html
IRC: The Net in Realtime
Very brief history of Internet Relay Chat, includes a number of anecdotes and transcriptions.
www.skypoint.com/~gimonca/irc2.html
The Great Split
The story of how the IRC network came to be split into multiple networks, as told by an "old-time IRC Operator".
www.irc.org/history_docs/TheGreatSplit.htmlre images and files can be sent, which is good since you can see what someone is sending you before you accept it.
The Bad: AIM allows other users to add you to their Buddy List without your permission. So someone you don’t know could have you on their Buddy List and know when you are online.
MSN Messenger
The Good: You can control who sees your online status and who doesn’t. You can also block certain people from sending you IMs. Another great privacy feature is the ability to see who has added you to their contact list.
The Bad: Someone can add you to their Contact List without authorization, although you can find out who has added you and block them from seeing your online status and sending you messages.
