Chat

I used to chat online regularly but rarely do so anymore, most of that was using an IRC client and sometimes using ICQ. Although I have MSN already installed I decided to try ICQ again, which I have not used for many years. I was unable to find my old ICQ number so after installing the program I created a new account.

A lot has changed with ICQ since I last used it and it seems very similar to the other instant messaging programs. I found it quite easy to use and it didn’t take me long to find the settings to turn off the annoying notification sounds.

I added several students using the ICQ numbers they had posted on the WebCT discussion. I had a brief chat with another student, Tony Cosentino.

Several students had organised to have a group chat the following day. I was able to chat to the students and add several others to the chat. I was unable to add one of the students, Michelle to the group and I was unable to discover why. Instead Michelle joined a chat room on the ICQ website and invited me to join. I joined this and so did Tony.

The chat room on the website was a java IRC client which was interesting as it it allowed me to compare the two chat programs at once. The ICQ client, at least for text chat, was probably no better than the IRC chat. However if you wanted to start to use the extra features like contact lists, voice chat and web cam then it would be far superior.

During the chat we discussed when chat would be useful and which chat clients we prefer. I think that text chat isn’t really that useful for business but for entertainment as it allows some anonymity and group interaction that speaking in public doesn’t. It is possible to chat respond to several chat windows from friends that several people talking to you at once.

I can see voice and video conferencing being especial useful for businesses to discuss matters that are more immediate than can be achieve by email correspondence. I also think the advantage of chatting is it allow communication over vast distances for very little cost compared to normal telephone calls.