Instant Messaging Glossary
From 'clients' to 'spim,' the terminology behind instant messaging can often be intimidating for new users. This easy-to-use glossary can help demystify these terms for both new and seasoned messengers.
AIM Dashboard
AIM Dashboard acts as a central command center for AOL Instant Messenger.
AIM Dashboard acts as a central command center for AOL Instant Messenger.
Away Message
An away message conveys that a user is currently busy or not available to instant message.
An away message conveys that a user is currently busy or not available to instant message.
Block
A block prevents a user from contacting another user over instant messenger.
A block prevents a user from contacting another user over instant messenger.
Buddy Chat
Buddy Chat is a feature of AOL Instant Messenger allowing users to chat with more than one user in either a pre-existing or user-created chatroom.
Buddy Chat is a feature of AOL Instant Messenger allowing users to chat with more than one user in either a pre-existing or user-created chatroom.
Buddy Info
Buddy Info is a simple, user-created profile for AOL Instant Messenger.
Buddy Info is a simple, user-created profile for AOL Instant Messenger.
Buddy List
The Buddy List is listing of other users a person regularly sends instant messages to.
The Buddy List is listing of other users a person regularly sends instant messages to.
Client
A client is an individual instant messenger.
A client is an individual instant messenger.
Cyberbullying
Cyberbullying is the practice of harassment or use of crude, violent or unwanted sexual language towards another user online.
Cyberbullying is the practice of harassment or use of crude, violent or unwanted sexual language towards another user online.
Direct Connection
A Direct Connection allows AOL Instant Messenger users to send and receive multimedia files such as photos, audio and text documents.
A Direct Connection allows AOL Instant Messenger users to send and receive multimedia files such as photos, audio and text documents.
Expressions
A library of multimedia resources for AOL Instant Messenger.
A library of multimedia resources for AOL Instant Messenger.
GUI
A GUI (Graphical User Interface) is a visual or graphical system of elements designed by developers to help end users interact with an instant messenger client.
A GUI (Graphical User Interface) is a visual or graphical system of elements designed by developers to help end users interact with an instant messenger client.
IM Logging
A feature which saves the dialogue between two IM users from every instant message sent.
A feature which saves the dialogue between two IM users from every instant message sent.
Offline Messages
Offline messages are instant messages delivered and logged while a user is signed off their IM client.
Offline messages are instant messages delivered and logged while a user is signed off their IM client.
Plugins
These small installer applications expand multimedia features to an IM client.
These small installer applications expand multimedia features to an IM client.
Profile
A document allowing other users to learn more about you, your interests and activities.
A document allowing other users to learn more about you, your interests and activities.
Rate Limiting
A security feature which prevents a user from sending too many instant messages at once.
A security feature which prevents a user from sending too many instant messages at once.
Screenname
A handle which is used to identify users of an IM client.
A handle which is used to identify users of an IM client.
Skins
Digital wallpaper for your IM client.
Digital wallpaper for your IM client.
SMS Messages
A message sent directly to a cell phone via an IM client.
A message sent directly to a cell phone via an IM client.
Status Messages
Messages created by users to describe their current state or what they are doing.
Messages created by users to describe their current state or what they are doing.
Stealth Setting
A feature of Yahoo! Messenger which allows users to designate how other users see them on their individual friends list.
A feature of Yahoo! Messenger which allows users to designate how other users see them on their individual friends list.