World Cup in real time

Next to e-mail, instant messaging (IM) is by far the Internet’s most popular feature.

Millions of World Cup users have downloaded free programs like Windows Messenger or AOL Instant Messenger (AIM) to send messages, files and photos in real time because, sometimes, even e-mail isn’t fast or convenient enough.

For example, you have no way of knowing if the person you are sending e-mail to is online at that particular moment. And if you are sending e-mails back and forth with the same person during the event, you usually have to click through a few steps to read, reply and send the e-mail – especially tedious if you’re merely typing messages like: “Thanks, got your report.”

IM allows you to maintain a “buddy list” of people you want to interact with and you can send messages to anyone on your list as long as they are online. Sending a message opens up a small window where you and a friend can “chat” by typing in messages that both of you can see, or you can chat with several friends at the same time.

Add a microphone, headset and webcam to your computer and most IM programs will let you talk and video conference — for a fraction of the cost of a phone call. Many of the leading IM programs will also communicate with mobile phones, web-enabled PDAs and let you access your account through any net-connected computer.

IM is ideal for real-time business use – although serious corporate users should check out secure services like Omnipod (omnipod.com), Reuters Messaging (about.reuters.com/productinfo/messaging/) or Yahoo’s Business Messenger for sending confidential information.

Teens love its immediacy, uninhibited environment, the cool emotions and the fact that, unlike a phone, they can pause the conversation for an hour without ending the call and incurring parental wrath.

So which IM should you choose? Just find out which one your friends and colleagues are using. One of the drawbacks of IM is that few of them talk to each other so if all your mates have Windows Messenger and you have Yahoo Messenger, you’ll be out of the loop.

Whatever system you use, remember a few simple guidelines:

•Don’t fill in the personal profile options – IM is less secure than e-mail and wide open to spammers and other info-identity thieves – so leave them blank or create an online persona.