One type of technology that forms a logical extension between the notion of community building and the work of nonprofits is instant messaging (IM). Reportedly some 80 million folks are using IM technology daily to generate a low-end estimate of some 500 million messages a day. What exactly is instant messaging, though? As best as one could describe it, it is sort of a hybrid of e-mail, chat rooms, pagers, ringing telephones, voice mail, caller ID, bulletin boards, and Rolodexes- depending on what you use it for. The real secret behind IM's usefulness is not the speed with which messages can be delivered. It is the ability to gauge when a particular user is online and to deliver targeted communications and information to them at the exact moment that they are both most able and most likely to respond to them. Despite the hype about IM technology as the next extension of e-mail and chat, it is not really new, especially considering entities like Usenet and the early Bulletin Board Systems (BBS), which ran on UNIX operating systems. The UNIX systems had a talk feature called that enabled one-to-one relatively instantaneous text-based messaging of a few lines between two people. In Finland, around the late 1980s, Jarkko Oikarinen developed a chat system called Internet Relay Chat (IRC), which gained a foothold among the growing base of Internet users who wanted to participate in live online discussions with more than one person. By the time IM as we know was deployed via services like America Online around the late 1990s, you could start to see features like instant notification when particular users were online and available for conversation and targeted contact lists that would let you select (and elect to join) groups of users with similar interests. Why should you consider using IM? Well, most of the software tools available are free, allowing users to take advantage of real-time targeted chat communications. In fact, if you are running a network using Novell, Lotus and Microsoft tools, you most likely have a form of IM bundled into your systems. The type of message and response archiving IM clients utilize also makes it much easier to develop an electronic "message trail" or transcript of communications, even among multiple users, that becomes cumbersome to do through e-mail or a discussion list. IM also can allow staffs, particularly large staffs divided by project teams and/or geography, to communicate cheaply, effectively, and efficiently. Tied to this is the fact that IM systems force users to register and designate an identification for themselves, allowing other users to log them into lists that can designate when someone is online and available to receive messages. In addition, the current and next generation of IM technology enables users to set filters that will forward messages from either preferred sources and/or those messages that are relevant and urgent based on patterns of use or user preference. So, at a minimum, IM allows users to:

• Check the online status of other users
• Select their visible online status (away, busy, etc)
• Customize the way messages displayed and delivered
• Choose sounds or visual cues to alert you when users are online or new messages are delivered

So what's wrong with IM?

1. Ironically enough, it puts a lot of pressure on people to respond immediately. The concern is that the quickness of responses kills the potential for substantive exchanges. The other side, however, is that the type of messages folks receive, could be ultimately forced to be more focused on a specific matter that can be targeted to specific users.
2. The spontaneous gathering that can take place among a set of users can seem somewhat distracting if not intrusive. Although good IM clients allow one to change their accessibility status (such as "online but busy," "away from the desk," or "do not disturb"), it does not change the fact that one could potentially be flooded with numerous pop-up messages, much as a steady stream of messages accumulating in one's inbox.
3. It is extremely easy to get overwhelmed by simultaneous one-to-one, one-to-many, many-to-one, and many-to-many exchanges, and you can run the risk of sending the wrong response to the wrong user or groups of users.
4. The ability to filter out people based on whim or preference potentially creates a scenario where potentially useful information sources are evaluated based only on familiarity, not necessarily the quality of the content provider.
5. There has been a major set of skirmishes between the various makers of IM clients that are unable to communicate with one another. You may recall, in fact last summer's shenanigans between AOL's AIM client and Microsoft's MSN Messenger, and similar services by Yahoo and Prodigy. Microsoft repeatedly attempted to let its client communicate with AIM, AOL blocked its service to MSN Messenger, and Microsoft reversed engineered its product to work around the blocks. Eventually Microsoft backed off. Even as recently as March 2000, a similar scenario was brewing between CMGI's iCast client and AOL's AIM. AOL, which also owns the ICQ instant messaging client, has repeatedly said that it will work to help develop standards under efforts such as those of the Internet Engineering Task Force's Instant Messaging and Presence Protocol (IMPP) Working Group, but that it will not allow it's service at this time to communicate with competing clients.
6. There are still some serious security issues IM clients present to users. The ability to maintain an "always-on" connection means that you are opening up a "channel" to your computer's desktop, thereby raising the vulnerability of client systems to viruses, security breaches, spam messages, junk mail, and abuse by other users, assuming of course that they are using the same client. For example, there is the recent instance of a "buffer overflow attack" with the ICQ service this past February, as a user took another user's client hostage by flooding the victim's client with more text than it could handle, including an executable code that gave the hacker access to other person's machine.

Possible Uses Despite the complaints, IM is fast becoming a tool more than a toy. Organizations that are starting to recognize its potential for serving as a medium for providing updates on constantly changing information. It's not just about spontaneous chat either. Wired Magazine, for example, shared word of how deaf and hearing impaired students and faculty have used IM to free themselves from the need to use interpreters for things like media relations, or teletype devices connected to telephones to talk with others. Another example is Nortel (formerly Northern Telecom), which uses IM to help automate the production of circuit boards, such that whenever there is stoppage in production, a front line worker can send an alert to the appropriate technician via the company's central server. The technician then replies via cell phone or pager while the server does a spot check to see if any parts or materials needed to fix the error are available in the factory's inventory. Even more significantly, IM is being deployed across a number of handheld and wireless devices (handheld computers, cell phones, pagers, personal information managers and data assistants) by companies like Yahoo, America Online, and Microsoft, allowing integration between a range of online services that can deliver "heads-up" when new or relevant information arrives from online calendars and news sources. IBM and Lotus have also found ways to integrate IM into mission critical information systems, reducing significantly the amount of internal e-mail sent. That's because an on-the-fly thought can be conveyed via IM for a quick response while the idea or request is still "fresh" rather than lingering in someone's e-mail inbox. Attorneys and corporate workers are utilizing IM for creating portable, spontaneous "backchannel" communications that can be used for notifications of meetings, private real-time negations and other forms of business communications. IBM has begun testing a real-time language translation feature for its IM product SameTime that would allow an English speaker to send a regular message to a French speaker such that it would appear in French, and the response would appear in English instantaneously.In the medical community, a company called PHT has developed a product called LogPad that utilizes Palm Pilot-styled devices to monitor the conditions of angina, diabetes, and asthma patients such that whenever an emergency arises, the specific doctor is paged. Regardless of the company you favor for IM, the basic conceptual debate focuses on the "central server approach" through which all messages are routed to their intended recipients, and "distributed models" which require users to register a unique Internet address through a common server, but then to establish point-to-point connections with other users directly via Internet connections. While the two approaches seem similar, the difference becomes greater when you start to envision things like videoconferencing, and voice-over-internet services. Data heavy messaging then becomes quite burden on centralized servers. In order to evaluate how IM can really benefit the public policy activities of nonprofits, it would be safe to say that it depends upon the willingness of individuals to take advantage of the technology. in some ways, the most appealing feature of IM remains the ability to coordinate mutilple types of communications through one client, and to conduct simultaneous conversations, depending upon your client tools, in a variety of formats. The convenience of knowing when someone is most likely to respond also saves one a certain amount of grief. There is a growing number of IM tools that deserve notice in addition to the popular offerings from America Online, ICQ, Microsoft, and Yahoo. Additionally, a number of the tools listed below are free (where a fee may be involved, we have done our best to note it). Keep in mind that the quality of IM communications again depends on a host of factors, including the quality of your ISP connection, your equipment, and the bugginess of a particular piece of software. Moreover, IM again tends to only work (with a few exceptions) among individuals using the same client. AOL Instant Messaging (AIM) http://www.aol.com/aim One of the two major combatants from 1999's IM wars, AIM's popularity is due in large part to its being bundled as a part of Netscape's Navigator browser. If you have a sound card and microphone, you can conduct real time voice chat. You can also share graphic files instantly as well. ICQ http://www.icq.com ICQ (short for "I Seek You") was originally developed by Mirabilis, which was bought out by America Online. It is probably the most widely used IM client for real-time individual or group chat. Microsoft MSN Messenger http://messenger.msn.com This is the service that was locked into combat with AOL's AIM client. To download this you will need to register for a free "Microsoft Passport" (if you have a Hotmail account or Outlook Express services, you automatically have a Passport). Messenger lets you connect to anyone else with a Passport of Hotmail e-mail address, add them to a contact list, and communicate with them. Prodigy Instant Messaging (PIM) http://pim.prodigy.net/install.html This is another IM client bundled as a perk for subscribers to an online service. Functions much like Excite IM client. Yahoo! Messenger http://messenger.yahoo.com/messenger/mail.html Combines a suite of features such as links to cell phones and wireless devices, voice chats, and news ticker features. There is a growing number of IM tools that deserve notice in addition to the popular offerings from America Online, ICQ, Microsoft, and Yahoo. Additionally, the tools below are free (where a fee may be involved, we have done our best to note it).

• AbbottChat (http://www.abbottsys.com/atchat.html) This client for Macintosh and Windows users (including those on AOL) lets people chat without having to log onto a central server, in effect running their own messaging systems for one to one conversations or group chats. Files can be transferred and notification of users' online status is featured. They are now charging for the current client, but a previous version of the fully functioning client is available online from Ziff-Davis (http://hotfiles.zdnet.com/cgi-bin/texis/swlib/hotfiles/info.html?fcod e=000PYT [no spaces])
• ChatRocket! (http://wwwuniversal.hypermart.net/public/download.html) Not a lot of online documentation available for this one, but it is touted as a "bi-directional" chat client, which means that two users can talk to one another by connecting directly via their respective IP addresses.
• CoolSpeak (http://www.coolspeak.com) Pretty sophisticated package of unified IM services, CoolSpeak incorporates text to voice, paging, messaging, chat, and is soon expected to add faxing capabilities to the free downloaded client. CoolSpeak also features a tool-free telephone service for registered users to send, receive, and reply to voicemail messages from other users, and to send text messages as voicemail messages.
• CuteMX (http://www.globalscape.com/products/cutemx) A different take on IM, this is primarily search engine software designed to locate media files located on the Web, that can also transfer files and receive streaming content via a built-in media player. It also features basic instant messaging and chat functions.
• FireBall (http://www.fireballnow.com/) Relatively small download for a relatively simple IM client for Windows
• FireTalk (http://www.firetalk.com) FireTalk gives PC users (sound card and directional headset microphone required) unlimited domestic and international long distance calls, voice messaging and instant text messaging. It supports live voice-based conference calls of up to 100 people, and voice mail messages and greetings of up to one minute that can be accessed by other users. The chat room/forum feature is significant here as it allows for moderated online voice discussions of up to 100 users, and broadcast/auditorium presentations to up to 1,000 users. It also allows users to congregate anywhere on the Web, in effect turning any Web page into an online chat room or instant messaging board. FireTalk also enables users to synchronize the browsers of other users so that they can look at web pages and sites simultaneously. One of the newest entrants in the IM field, FireTalk boasts a pretty formidable range of online telephony services.
• GKU (http://www.xifaworks.com/gku) And you thought ICQ had an awful pun for a name. GKU (Gnomie Know You) is a pretty close twin of ICQ in look and functionality.
• Hotline (http://www.bigredh.com/index2.html) Macintosh and PC client download has standard IM features, but also utilizes QuickTime playback support, which means that any of the 30 supported multimedia file types (MP3, MPEG, AVI, Wave, GIF, JPEG, TIFF, Flash, among others) can be viewed as they are being downloaded (much like streaming media), instead of after the download. Most IM clients only allow for file transfer and not direct and/or simultaneous file playback.
• Hotlyin (http://www.filedudes.lvdi.net/mac/online/hotlyin.html) or (http://www.tucows.com (under Macintosh section) This Macintosh IM client is a lot like Hotline, but it also allows for multithreaded downloads in separate windows, enhanced statistics on downloads and transfers, and features for advanced IM network administrators who might want to host their own IM server.
• ichat (http://www.ichat.com) The model for this IM suite of tools is based on the integration of a separate pager and chat client, similar to the services offered by Excite and Yahoo. The pager tool notifies users when others are online, and a wizard interface lets people exchange messages and files. The ichat Rooms client allows users to participate in hosted online discussions conducted through web based chat rooms.
• LOL Chat (http://www.lolchat.com) This is distinctive because it not only opens up separate windows for each person you with whom you chat, but it also lets you see each character as it is typed. You can have as many open as windows as you choose.
• MyCQ 1.2 beta 6f (http://www.mickem.nu/viewProject.php3?projectid=1) MyCQ can incorporate user lists and files from ICQ and AOL Instant Messenger, and relies on "skins" (downloadable overlays) to allow users to customize the look of the IM interface
• Network Assistant (http://www.yaasoft.com/nassi) This is more of a tool for LANs (Local Area Networks) to have full IM features, including chat, whiteboard, and instant notification. For LANs running the WinPopUp utility, this tool works well in tandem.
• OfficeChat (http://www.polarlogics.com/officechat) Microsoft Outlook 97 and 98 can be used for instant messaging with this tool, allowing for chat sessions and file transfers. It monitors incoming calls from other Outlook users, and when received, a "heads up" notification enables you to accept or decline invitations for discussions or exchanging files. For those of you concerned with security, these Outlook sessions are encrypted.
• OnlineCall (http://www.onlinecall.com) This one has multilanguage support and supports basic IM functions, and has plans to support Internet paging, Web browser interface and auto-start of external applications in its next release.
• PeopleLink (http://plnk.peoplelink.com/plnk/peoplelink/download/index.cfm) PeopleLink is noteworthy because it can convert text into speech that can be played via a sound card equipped machine. It consists of a download executable file and a separate Java applet that enables Web-based chat.
• PowWow (http://www.tribalvoice.com/powwow) This both predates and matches the offerings of FireTalk, and is another contender for organizations considering a scalable IM option for their work. Noteworthy features here include the remotely guided web browser synchronization (or "web tours") for groups of users, shared and online whiteboards.
• Rapman (http://www.rapman.com) Client software interesting for its emphasis on streaming media content, including Internet radio and news broadcasts. This can import ICQ contact lists.
• ScreenFIRE (http://www.screenfire.com/products/index.html) This lets people familiar with IRC Chat utilize a similar interface for instant messaging and on-the-fly conferences of up to 50 people. Although not available currently, a Java applet will be coming out for Macintosh, UNIX and Windows
• TaoTalk (http://www.taotalk.com) An instant voice messaging and voice chat system, with a really small download size. The idea is that you can send and receive voice messages to others, even those who do not have access to the Internet. here's the rub: when sending a message to those without access to the free TaoTalk software, the recipient will get a message with a link to a Web gateway where they can log in and hear the playback of the voice message. If your end user lacks Web access, they can check the message via a telephone gateway (for now, unfortunately, there is no international gateway, simply a common number for calls in the UK)
• TinyChatIS (http://www.cmi.arizona.edu/users/calbrecht/Freeware/TinyChatIS.exe) This is literally one of the smallest downloads and installs for IM software. No need to register through a central server, since each client acts as a separate IM server, so it automatically switches between sending and receiving modes when needed.
• Webbe (http://www.webbe.com) Arguably the slickest and simplest of the IM interfaces, this is positioned as a potential corporate-level tool, though the individual client version is free, and can support conferencing for up to 25 users, with file exchanges of any size and type.
• WinTalk (http://www.thoughtcraft.com/elf/wintalk/wintalk.html) or (http://www.elf.com/elf/wintalk.html) This supports the UNIX Talk protocol, which means that Windows users can carry on real-time chat with UNIX users running TALK or some variant thereof. While there is no version of WinTalk planned for Macintosh users, there is a TALK program for Macs at (http://www.umich.edu/~archive/mac/util/comm/talk1.11.sit.hqx). If the author's claims are correct, all TALK-compatible software should be able to talk to all other TALK-compatible software, but you will not be able to conduct voice-based chats.
• WorldChat (http://home.sunrise.ch/compag/sds/wchatfw.html) IM client with good basic ability to log chat sessions
• x Chat (http://xstudio.bizland.com/digital/xchat/index.html) This is a useful chat tool for private Intranet or Internet use, probably most useful for two people in remote locations, as only two users can share an x Chat connection. It maintains a contact address book, which can automatically connect to whichever user is on the connection. It also features a special chart whiteboard for business users and the ability to capture a screen shot of your desktop.