The younger generation utilizes these acronyms to shorten their sent messages. Some of which are LOL (laughing out loud), BRB (be right back), BTW (by the way). Alongside the popularity of these programs is the emergence of shorthand texts. Yet, the most significant change in the IM industry was the launch of AIM, which gained 53 million users in 2005. It featured a text-based messenger, file transfers, user directory, and many more. The first ever IM program that launched is ICQ, owned by Mirabilis. Now, the internet offers an easier way-Instant Messaging (IM).

E-mailing used to be the fastest way to communicate online. IMs are often done between two users in private style of communication.ĭid you know that in February 2008, software giant Microsoft tried to buy Yahoo for 45 million US dollars? The former did this in hopes of a joint business venture to rule out Google, their leading competitor. The fine line between chat rooms and IM conversations lies in the number of people who can access the chat. Either through a stand-alone application or embedded software over the internet. Instant Messaging (also known as IM) is the transmission of near real-time messages.