Understanding the difference between chat, instant messaging and forums

Understanding the difference between chat, instant messaging and forums

Online communication has revolutionized the way we connect with each other but it can be a very confusing technological world to explore. A whole new, industry-specific jargon has been created to reference various aspects of the internet media. So what IS the difference between chat, instant messaging and forums?

Forums 
Forums are built into many average community websites. Sometimes referred to as billboards or message boards, they are often a collection of topics and titles. Forums are divided into categories, topics, threads, and posts. Most forums require membership and each new reply by a member is called a post. When a member posts the initial entry for a conversation they create a thread to which other members can reply.

When the internet was in its infancy connection speeds were slow and files sizes were clunky and cumbersome. Forums were created as a way to communicate that required a simple design and functionality. It was a time insensitive medium with messages available from post date well into the future and hours or even days between responses.

Forums maintain information server-side'. This means that all the information inside the forum is held in a large database owned by the website owners and stored on the same servers that hold the individual web pages for that site. Forums have developed into simple systems that most average web hosts can maintain and provide an effective means of long term communication across a broad audience. They provide a wealth of archived information for all users to access at any time and all members have the opportunity to contribute to the conversations and topics.

Instant Messaging 
People wanted a means to communicate more immediately on the net with their friends and family so larger internet savvy companies developed instant messaging. Instant messaging is often done from a console, like Yahoo Messenger or MSN Messenger. These are small programs downloaded onto your computer. When connected to the internet these programs monitor the activity and availability of members via usernames.

You can communicate in real time with people all around the world by typing text into a small window and clicking send. Messengers are designed to pop up conversation windows with users where two people can communicate by sending text back and fourth. These days, instant messenger services are more advanced incorporating photo/file sharing and conferencing that allows multiple users (usually by invitation only)

To join a conversation, and share images with ease.

Chat 
Similar to Instant Messaging and Forums is Chat. Chat is a mixture of both with users able to access a chat room. Sometimes chat rooms are available with Java from a website or connected to with a Client. Chat rooms are available to multiple users and work similarly to a conference via messenger.

VOIP 
With the development of technology and the speed and accuracy of the internet these mediums have also developed beyond typed text to allow Voice Messages or Voice Chat. VOIP stands for Voice-Over-Internet Protocol which is programming that is designed to allow users to use microphones and speakers to speak and listen to others with their own voices. Just like using a phone people around the world can chat in real time. This developing medium continues to gain popularity as a means of communication and has been picked up by many instant messengers and chat rooms to further extend the ease of online communication.

With these four systems online conversation has flourished and the internet is alive with communities developing their interests in a wealth of ways. More means of keeping in touch are adding to the already socially rich environment. Blogging (web log aka online journal), video conferencing (web cam & vblogs video blogs), and social profiles, offer more immediacy and functionality than ever before.

The web is a wonderfully diverse world to explore and hopefully with a little more information about some of the fantastic ways we can keep in touch with our friends online you'll find it less daunting to roam in the coming days and months