AIM is a great way to communicate synchronously, and a great way to get someone's attention if you need a quick answer. AIM is free and downloads automatically with recent versions of Netscape. Messenger operates in much the same way that AIM does and has many of the same features. Users simply mouse click on the voice chat button and speak into a microphone. The sound is not telephone quality, but the program seems to work well.
Messenger saves each buddy list in a way that allows users to see the same list on any computer.
Messenger from any computer with Internet access, including those in the computer labs. The Java version does not include voice chat. Pager is free. Nicenet's Internet Classroom Assistant Nicenet's Internet Classroom Assistant is a web site from a non-profit organization. At this site, you can set up a class for your students and can then send and receive messages in asynchronous discussion groups, post course outlines and other handouts, send and receive private messages, and more.