LLP Instant messaging is the newest tool used to increase revenue and customer service within the corporate world, having risen in popularity from serving as an online chat method for teenagers. A blur between the functions of the telephone and e-mail, instant messaging offers real time communication over the computer. It holds a great deal of promise for the business world as instant messaging software programs become more refined. Its impact on library services is still quite minimal. A close examination of the benefits and drawbacks associated with instant messaging can help determine whether this technology is one law librarians should expect to embrace or hold back on adopting.
Instant messaging involves downloading a software program onto a computer.
AOL was the first to offer this software and is still the market leader. Companies are currently developing many varieties of the software to market more to the corporate world. Once the software is on the desktop, a user can create a user directory of other users with the same software. When the user logs onto his or her computer, the software produces a list of people on his or her directory who are currently online. With instant messaging software, a user can send a message to another user's desktop computer and they can chat online in real time via a pop-up window.