IT历史：即时通讯（IM）历史

即时通讯（IM）历史资料

即时聊天使亲友的沟通突破时空极限，使办公室的沟通突破上下级极限，使陌生人的沟通突破环境极限，使自我与外界的沟通突破心理极限……

作为使用频率最高的网络软件，即时聊天已经突破了作为技术工具的极限，被认为是现代交流方式的象征，并构建起一种新的社会关系。它是迄今为止对人类社会生活改变最为深刻的一种网络新形态，没有极限的沟通将带来没有极限的生活。

聊天一直是网民们上网的主要活动之一，网上聊天的主要工具已经从初期的聊天室、论坛变为以MSN、OICQ(又称QQ)为代表的即时通讯软件。大部分人只要上网就会开着自己的MSN或QQ。据统计，迄今为止，全球约有一亿多人使用即时通讯软件在网上交流。中国网民惯用的即时聊天工具腾讯QQ从1999年2月诞生到现在，注册用户已超过1.6亿，在线用户最高时超过200万人，而每天独立上线人数更是达到一千二百多万，拥有活跃用户5500万，几乎覆盖所有中国网民。

即时通讯工具使用频率之高，超出任何一种网络软件。有专家预测，到2004年，即时通讯软件将取代电子邮件，成为最流行的互联网通讯工具。
 
Sanjay Jindal, Director, Technology, Chanin Capital Partners talks to Yair Goldfinger, Founder, ICQ:
 
互联网诞生于传统的电话网络，通讯交流可以说是互联网天然的应用之一。电子邮件就是最重要的通讯交流工具，是互联网最早的“杀手级应用”。此后兴起的网络论坛和网络聊天室都是网络聊天的前身。但是，个人对个人网络聊天的真正崛起还是需要从ICQ的传奇故事开始。

虽然，互联网是典型的美国产物，但是与万维网由欧洲人发明一样，ICQ也不是美国人的杰作。对于没有专家指导、也没有受过专门教育和培训的四个犹太年轻人来说，能够在三个月内发明ICQ这个在因特网上掀起风暴的新技术，应该说是个奇迹。高德菲因格等四名20多岁的发明人（Yair Goldfinger (26,Chief Technology Officer), Arik Vardi (27,Chief Executive Officer), Sefi Vigiser (25,President), and Amnon Amir (24),），最初的种子基金是向其中一位的父亲借贷的，并在美国硅谷开始了创业历程。后来，美国在线公司三年内，分两次共向其投入4亿多美元，使ICQ技术得到进一步发展和完善。2001年5月，全球ICQ的用户就已经达到了1亿。

ICQ 源自以色列特拉维夫的Mirabils公司（成立于1996年7月）。Mirabils 这个单词是拉丁文中神奇的意思。ICQ就是英文“I SEEK YOU”简称，中文意思是：我找你。这是一款网络即时讯息传呼软件，支持在互联网上面聊天、发送消息、网址及文件等功能。在你上网时，用ICQ可以很快的找到你的朋友，当然他也必须装上这个软件。美国在线AOL购买下ICQ以后推出功能更加强大的99a、99B、2000等版本，内建了个搜索器，另外连网页的制作都可以由ICQ独立完成，不用另寻免费空间就可以使用，当你使用时进行适当的设置你的电脑就成了个服务器，网友们通过您的电脑就可进入到您的主页参观。

几种主要即时通讯工具：

ICQ：最早的网络即时通讯工具ICQ，原是以色列的几名学生开发出来的，其最大的特点是具有网上信息实时交流的功能。ICQ改变了整个互联网的交流，使之变得更加及时和方便。

QQ：国内最时髦的即时通讯工具当数腾讯的QQ，连到网上的一台台电脑上，屏幕上大多跳跃着一个个各式各样“小人头儿”―――QQ上的好友来信了。它为用户提供寻呼、聊天、新闻等信息，还有手机上的移 动QQ服务，现在QQ已经升级到2003版。 

MSN：软件巨头微软之后开发了MSNMessenger，把MSN Messenger嵌进了WindowsXP操作系统里。 

YahooMessenger：目前微软公司的MSN已经发布到了6.0版本，有即时消息、表情符号下拉列表、语音对话、视频会议、文件传输等功能。 

著名搜索网站Yahoo同样推出自己的聊天工具Yahoo Messenger(雅虎通)。雅虎通支持多种操作系统，并支持其他便携式无线设备，因此，具有与其他QQ所不同的商业盈利手段。不仅可以随时查看新闻和天气预报，甚至可以随时查阅股票行情。 

History of Instant Messaging

Instant messaging was created in July of 1996 by 4 young Israeli avid-computer users. Yair Goldfinger (26,Chief Technology Officer), Arik Vardi (27,Chief Executive Officer), Sefi Vigiser (25,President), and Amnon Amir (24), started a company called Mirabilis in order to introduce a new way of communication over the Internet.

These guys realized that millions of people were connecting to the Internet to use the World Wide Web, but these users were not interconnected. They created a technology which would enable Internet users to locate each other online on the Internet, and to create peer-to-peer communication channels easily. They called their technology ICQ, (I seek you). and released it in November of 1996.

Within 6 months, by "word of mouse", 850,000 users had been registered by Mirabilis. By June of 1997, Mirabilis was able to handle 100,000 concurrent users and had become the largest Internet communications network.

Success of this magnitude with a new communication technology did not go unnoticed, and Mirabilis and ICQ were acquired by America Online in June of 1998 for $287 million.AOL had also created it’s own Instant Messanger system.

Microsoft had also created its own Instant Messaging client and service, MSN Messenger, and another Internet heavyweight, Yahoo! created one as well.

Because IM services evolved from propriatry systems created by companies to make a profit, their systems remain unable to interoperate because of the desire to control the IM market. AOL and ICQ, even though they are owned by the same company, are not interoperable. The AOL and ICQ clients cannot communicate with one another, and AOL maintains both systems and market dominance in the IM field.

All this may change soon. Conditions of the AOL-Time Warner merger require AOL to open up its IM systems. Several competing companies have joined together to to advocate for an IM protocol similar to those that allow the interoperability of email systems.

Other companies have taken a different approach rather than wait for an agreed-upon standard. Jabber is one company that has created a client program capable of communicating with various IM systems.

All info taken from www.gslis.utexas.edu

Printed from http://www.viewz.com/features/imguide.shtml
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Instant Messaging Guide

The Basics

Much like E-mail, Instant Messaging (IM) has revolutionized the way we communicate. With just a few clicks and keystrokes, you can instantaneously talk with anyone around the world. Just download an IM client, sign up for a free account and you’re on your way.

The most popular Instant Messaging clients are ICQ, AIM and MSN Messenger. These clients allow you to send text messages, files, images and movies to other users over the Internet.

Instant Messaging History

Since the early ’90s, AOL has always had a form of Instant Messaging but it wasn’t until 1996, when they introduced the Buddy List feature, that it really took off. In the same year, ICQ (I Seek You) burst onto the Internet scene and helped popularize Instant Messaging. Whereas AOL Instant Messaging was exclusive to AOL members, ICQ was a free IM software available for download to anyone.

In 1997, AOL introduced AIM (AOL Instant Messenger), which allowed its members to talk with non-members for the first time. AIM eventually usurped ICQ as the prevalent IM client, and in 1998, AOL bought Mirablis (ICQ’s creator), thus becoming the dominant player in Instant Messaging.

As the popularity of Instant Messaging grew, other IM clients like MSN Messenger, Yahoo Messenger and a variety of smaller players eventually entered the mix. However, it’s important to point out that there is no interoperability between the different IM clients. Each IM software uses its own proprietary system and network.

This lack of intermingling led to the so-called IM Client Wars. Microsoft’s MSN Messenger tried to access the AIM network in 1999 to create a bridge between their users and the more numerous AOL and AIM members. AOL viewed it as a security risk and blocked MSN Messenger from its systems. The IM Client Wars has now settled down into an unsteady dtente.

How to Decide on an IM client

Since all IM clients are free, deciding on an Instant Messenger is easy: Just find out what IM client your friends and colleagues are using.

As we mentioned, there is no standard protocol for Instant Messaging, so you can only send messages to people who are using your IM client and services. For example, ICQ users can’t send IMs to MSN users and vice versa. The notable exception is AIM: AIM users can communicate with AOL members.

So, first discover the prevalent IM client in use among friends or colleagues, or you may have to use all three or more just to be able to talk. Chances are you will have to use 2 or more IM clients to talk to everybody.

ICQ (I Seek You)
Platform Availability: Windows, Pocket PC, Mac, JAVA, Palm, Linux (developed by other companies)

ICQ is regarded as the pioneer of Instant Messaging. It was created by a small Israeli company, called Mirablis, in 1996, and was bought up by AOL in 1998. Its popularity has remained high and a number of new features have added to the ICQ experience.

Features

In addition to the usual IM functions of sending messages and files in real-time, you can Leave A Message, check your e-mail through ICQ, play games with ICQ buddies, or block troublesome users. You can also use ICQ2Go! to send instant messages from any computer with an Internet Explorer Web browser.

The Contact List
 At the heart of ICQ is the Contact List. This is your lifeline to all of your IM pals. With a quick glance, you can see who is online and who is available to chat. ICQ will also alert you when a friend pops online.

Message Central
ICQ has numerous features that deal with sending and receiving messages. If you’re busy or just want to step away from the computer for a few minutes, you can let people know you’re unavailable by setting your "Availability" mode.

There are 7 different availability modes: Available/Connect, Free for Chat, Privacy, Away, N/A (Not Available), Occupied and DND (Do Not Disturb). If someone sends you a message while you’re in one of the last 4 above modes, they will receive an automatic message telling them that "You’re away" or "Occupied." You can customize the actual message for each mode. I.E. "Be right back" or "I am currently unavailable, please do not disturb me unless it’s urgent."

If you don’t want people to know that you are online, you can select the Privacy mode. This mode effectively renders you "invisible" to other users, because you are listed as "Offline" in their contact list.

The Good and The Bad
ICQ’s major selling point is the number of registered users - more than 128 million to date and rising. The ICQ Anywhere policy is also a welcome asset. You can talk with anyone through phone, handheld, Web or e-mail. You can also use the ICQ Phone to make telephone calls to ICQ pals, or do ICQ to ICQ calls through your PC. This service has a monthly fee.

The drawback to all of these features is the drain on computer resources and memory. Also, Spam has found its way onto ICQ. Using the ICQ pager, Spam is sent out to a block of users in the form of instant messages. ICQ 2001b had problems letting people share files with others behind a corporate firewall. But, the recent release of ICQ 2002a has fixed the firewall problem and sports better Spam protection.

Getting Started With ICQ

Download the ICQ Client at http://www.icq.com.
Sign up for an ICQ Account - Be careful not to include private information like your address or phone number.
Connect to the ICQ Server - Open the ICQ client and input your username and password.
Your Contact List pops up. Start adding ICQ buddies by clicking on the "Add " button. Search for ICQ buddies by entering their e-mail address, full name, nickname, or ICQ number. Once you have found a user to add to your contact list, click on their username and a request for authorization will appear. Click on "Request" to send it. If the user accepts, a request for your authorization will come back to you. If you choose to accept, you will be added to their contact list.
Sending and Receiving IM’s - To send an instant message double-click on a user in your contact list. A message box will appear. Enter your message in this box, and click on "Send". You will know that you have a message when a flashing yellow note replaces your ICQ icon in the taskbar. To receive the message, just double-click on the flashing yellow icon.
To log off ICQ, click the "Online" button and then click "Offline".
More ICQ help
Take a tour of the ICQ features

AIM (AOL Instant Messenger)
Platform Availability: Windows, Pocket PC, Mac, Palm, Linux, Mobile (Phones)

AOL Instant Messenger 4.7 (AIM) is the only outside IM link to AOL or CompuServe members. The ability to talk to AOL subscribers has fueled the popularity of AIM, since it’s a free download available to everyone.

AOL members can also use AIM to send instant messages without having to sign on to the AOL service.

Features

Anyone familiar with AOL will see the similarities AIM shares with AOL’s own Buddy List and Instant Messaging service. However, where AOL’s Instant Messaging acts as a valuable feature in its online service, AIM has been built to stand on its own. Thus, it’s been souped-up with many features like the stock ticker, file transfer, chat rooms, and built-in e-mail client.

AIM Quick Buddy is another great feature that lets you send instant messages through a browser, so you can access your AIM account through any Internet-enabled computer. If you have a personal web page, you can easily add interactivity by using AIM remote, which allows people to IM you directly from the web site.

You can also use "Away Notices" to explain your absence from the computer.

 Buddy List
One of the best features of AIM, the Buddy List lets you organize your online friends into easy groups like "Work", "Family", etc. To group your online buddies, just hit the List Setup tab to get started. You can add a new group or start populating the default groups by hitting the Add a Buddy button at the bottom. You can always re-organize later by easily moving buddies to new groups.

Sending & Receiving Instant Messages
Use the Buddy List to easily send IMs. Just double-click on the user’s name and an instant message box will appear. You can also customize your IMs with a buddy icon, create your own chat rooms, or talk with multiple AIM users in one window.

The Good and the Bad
The good: AIM’s attractiveness lies in the IM bridge it creates between AOL and non-AOL members. The only way non-members can communicate with the more than 34 million AOL subscribers is by using AIM.

The bad: It automatically launches when you start up your computer. For some, this may be a good thing, but others may prefer to open up applications at a time of their choosing. AIM also lacks some of ICQ’s useful features like leaving a message; requiring authorization for someone to add you to their buddy list; or rendering your online presence "invisible" to people you’d prefer to hide from.

Getting Started With AIM

Download the AIM Client at http://www.aol.ca/aim/index_eng.adp.
Sign up for an AIM account, or use your existing AOL, Netscape, CompuServe 2000, AOL Hometown, or AOL.com’s Personal Finance Centre account.
Open the AIM client and enter your screen name & password.
To send an instant message, double-click on a screen name in your buddy list. Type in your message. Click "Send".
To sign off, click on "My AIM" and then click "Sign Off".
For more help, go to http://www.aol.ca/aim/index_eng.adp or click on the Help menu in AIM.

MSN Messenger
Platform Availability: Windows, Mac, Pocket PC, Microsoft TV, MSN Companion

MSN Messenger is Microsoft’s offering in the IM market. Like AIM and ICQ, it’s a free download that lets users send instant messages and files to MSN friends anywhere in the world.

 (Windows Messenger is the XP version of MSN Messenger and has been integrated into the operating system. Windows XP owners can easily start Instant Messaging by going to Start/All Programs/Windows Messenger. Get more information on Windows Messenger here.)

Features

In addition to the standard Instant Messaging features, you can page a friend’s cell phone via instant message, use your PC microphone to carry on a voice conversation, play DirectPlay games with other MSN members, or keep track of your stocks with the MoneyCentral tab. MSN Messenger also has a user-friendly feature that notifies you when you receive e-mail through your Hotmail Account or any other e-mail account. There’s also an indicator that lets you know when a MSN friend is typing a response to your IM.

Contact List
 Use the Contact List to see who’s online and available to chat. You can then exchange instant messages with up to four friends in the same conversation window. MSN correspondents in your Contact List can also be broken down into groups for easy organization.

Seeing and Being Seen
A nice privacy feature is the ability to "hide" your online presence. You can appear "Offline" to everybody in general or only to those you choose by using the "blocking" option. You can also block people from sending you instant messages.

The Good and the Bad
The Good: The privacy features of MSN Messenger are a definite plus as you have control over whether you’re seen or not and by whom.

The Bad: When you receive e-mail notifications, pop-up boxes will annoyingly appear on the screen.

Getting Started With MSN Messenger:

Go to http://messenger.msn.ca to download the latest version of MSN Messenger.
Open MSN Messenger and sign up for a Microsoft Passport account. You can use your existing hotmail account if you already have one.
Use your new login and password to sign-in.
To add users to your contact list, click on the Add button.
You can search for users by e-mail address, sign-in name, or by their full name and address.
To send a message, double-click on the user you want to IM. Type your message in the window, and click "Send".
To sign out, click on "File" and select "Sign Out."
For more help, go to http://messenger.msn.ca/Default.asp, select the appropriate platform and click on Help.

Smileys & Shorthand (IM Lingo)
To express emotions or facial expressions, there is Instant Messaging lingo or Smileys that are universally understood. Smileys are a combination of certain characters. Most common are the : (colon) for the eyes and the ) (right parenthesis) for the mouth. There are a ton of different combinations that you can use.

Here are a few: (Turn your head to the left side to see what they look like.)

You can also use shorthand in Instant messages. Here are a few phrases to get you started:

Click here to get a more comprehensive list of smileys and shorthand.

Privacy And Security
In the first days of Instant Messaging, there were security concerns that hackers could break into your computer through ICQ - a possible risk - but those concerns have now been allayed with beefed up security codes and firewalls.

Having said that, all of the major IM clients have experienced security flaws at one point or another that were quickly fixed and were not taken advantage of by malicious hackers. As well, there have not been any major virus outbreaks, but the potential for malevolence always exists.

E-mail users have been well educated in the ways of virus protection as a result of various high-profile viruses. The dangers in Instant Messaging are no different, and people should maintain good security measures when using IM clients.

Here are a few easy tips to avoid potential pitfalls:

It’s a good practice not to transmit sensitive and confidential information through Instant Messengers. IMs could be intercepted and read.
Each IM client asks you to fill out a profile of yourself. Be sure not to include private information such as phone number and address.
Never accept files from people you don’t know and make sure you know a file’s properties when receiving files from people you do know.
Never click on unknown or suspicious hyperlinks.
Always download the latest MSN, AIM or ICQ patches, and be sure to upgrade when a new IM version becomes available. New upgrades not only offer new features, they also plug potential security holes.
As well, each major IM client has different privacy and security features that are worse and better than the other. Here is a quick list of the "the good" & "the bad" security features.

ICQ (I Seek You)
The Good: Your IP address is hidden from other users. An IP address, the Internet equivalent of a unique phone number, is what hackers use to pinpoint your computer and then perhaps attempt a break-in. But if they don’t know the location of your PC, they can’t hack in. In older versions of ICQ, your IP address was left open for everyone to view.

In order to talk with another user, you must request their authorization to add them to your list of contacts. This is a great feature because it bars people you don’t want to talk to from Instant Messaging you.

Another great security feature is the privacy option. Someone needs authorization to be able to see your online status, so only friends & family will see when you are online.

The Bad: In the last few versions of ICQ, a feature called ICQ Pager has facilitated the proliferation of Spam, but the recent release of ICQ 2002a promises better Spam protection.

AIM (AOL Instant Messenger)
The Good: If someone IMs you, and they are not on your buddy list, you can accept or decline their IM. This is similar to the authorization process in ICQ, but you can see the person’s username and have the option of receiving their instant message.

AIM requires authorization from the intended recipient before images and files can be sent, which is good since you can see what someone is sending you before you accept it.

The Bad: AIM allows other users to add you to their Buddy List without your permission. So someone you don’t know could have you on their Buddy List and know when you are online.

MSN Messenger
The Good: You can control who sees your online status and who doesn’t. You can also block certain people from sending you IMs. Another great privacy feature is the ability to see who has added you to their contact list.

The Bad: Someone can add you to their Contact List without authorization, although you can find out who has added you and block them from seeing your online status and sending you messages.

Chat

A Short History of Internet Protocols at CERN
Basic History of the Internet at CERN and in Europe, published in early 1995.

wwwinfo.cern.ch/pdp/ns/ben/TCPHIST.html

history of IM

http://www.almark.net/Internet/html/slide6.html
History of ICQ
Very basic history of this popular instant messaging program, which was developed by Mirabilis.

www.rpi.edu/~leec7/cyber_art/icq.htm

History of IRC (Internet Relay Chat)
Short, but reasonable history of Internet Relay Chat and the various networks.

daniel.haxx.se/irchistory.html

ICQ Celebrates Five Years
Brief article commemorating half a decade of ICQ, includes details of the instant messaging client’s history and growth.

www.betanews.com/article.php3?sid=1005886405

IRC History by Jarkko Oikarinen
The founder/inventor of Internet Relay Chat tells the story of how it came to be.

www.irc.org/history.html

IRC: The Net in Realtime
Very brief history of Internet Relay Chat, includes a number of anecdotes and transcriptions.

www.skypoint.com/~gimonca/irc2.html

The Great Split
The story of how the IRC network came to be split into multiple networks, as told by an "old-time IRC Operator".

www.irc.org/history_docs/TheGreatSplit.html