Unsuitable for lengthy messages and discussionsĬhat VS Instant Messaging : More than just a tool for convenience Potential misuse, especially in work settingsįile sharing via IM increase the risk of virus attacks and hacking Not suitable for users who are always traveling or on-the-goīoth users must be online to enable real-time messaging Not ideal for businesses catering to the older generation or non-computer literate customers Seamless communication even while on-the-go Helps collate valuable end-user data and feedback Instantly check read receipts and delivery status of messages Multiple IM windows is allowed (one for each private message)Ĭreation of contact list (or ‘Buddy List’) to save screen names of contacts Pre-chat forms for customer assistance (for some chat software) Message visibility to everyone with access or link to the chat room Some IM apps require payment when new users sign up. User account creation through clicking the ‘Register’ or ‘Sign Up’ buttonĭownload the app and install it in the user’s smartphone or computer. While both are used mainly to communicate with other people, there are distinct differences that help distinguish how chat and IM operate differently: Spot the difference: What is the difference between IM and chat It was in 1996 that instant messaging began to dominate the lifestyles of internet users, following Mirabilis’ introduction of the free instant-messaging service called ICQ.Īside from messages, instant messaging now allows exchanging files such as videos, documents and images.īoth instant messaging and chat have dominated the business sector, as shown by the growing number of chat and IM platforms being developed to support all business sizes: The concept of instant messaging grew in popularity as advancements in technology continued to progress. It enables users to keep a list of people or contacts to communicate with. Instant messaging was released in the year 1960, when Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) developed the platform, they allowed up to 30 users to log and send messages to each other. IM’s strong gravitation towards one-on-one interaction is what marks one of the key difference between instant messaging and chat. Instant messaging is usually more suited for a one-on-one conversation between two individuals. To this day, more new applications and platforms are being developed to allow people to engage in chat rooms. The people that comprise a chat room do not always have to be initially affiliated or connected for them to be able to send and receive messages from each other. It is a forum where multiple people connect with each other, discuss their shared interest, and send messages and images to everyone all at once. In 1997, AOL was able to host over 19 million users in the midst of the elevation of chat rooms.Ĭhat basically transpires in a virtual chat room. Due to the expensive costs of the internet then, it left a decline in the number of people using chat.īut, since AOL helped make the use of the internet more affordable, people are now able to stay online for as long as they wanted and that was also when chat rooms became a huge hit. In the past, the use of the internet was more costly and the charges incurred were based on the duration spent by a person online. What started with only five people who could chat at a time, was then expanded into a technological advancement in the 90’s that forever changed the digital landscape. The main goal for its design and conception was to give people the ability to chat with groups of people instantaneously. What is chat?Ĭhat messaging was developed and launched during the 1970’s. It is this particular convenience and instantaneous connection that make both chat and instant messaging essential and powerhouse resources for modern-day communication.īut before delving further into the distinct features, pros, and cons of each, defining and elaborating what is chat and instant messaging comes first. Ideally, both are used when both or all parties involved are online to ensure that sent messages can be read promptly. Indeed, although chat allows users and even businesses to send instant messages to friends, colleagues and customers, instant message is still not considered the same as chat.Ĭhat and instant messaging both allow users to converse more quickly and easily through using a short messaging format and enabling the exchange of messages in real-time. There is a huge difference between chatting and instant messaging. In the online setting, however, these two terms convey different forms of keeping in touch. Who could blame them? At first glance, both terms seem and sound like both convey basically one and the same thing, especially in the context of communication. The terms “chat” and “instant messaging” have most probably been interchanged confusingly by both business owners and end-users.
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