SettingsOn-line chat
6rounds
Rounds (formally known as 6rounds) is a video-enabled real-time social network with collaborative browsing, chat, multi-player gaming and built-in social recommendation features that can be expa...
Rounds (formally known as 6rounds) is a video-enabled real-time social network with collaborative browsing, chat, multi-player gaming and built-in social recommendation features that can be expa...
Adobe Atmosphere
Adobe Atmosphere (informally abbreviated Atmo) was a software platform for interacting with 3D computer graphics.
Adobe Atmosphere (informally abbreviated Atmo) was a software platform for interacting with 3D computer graphics.
AOL Instant Messenger
AOL Instant Messenger (abbreviated AIM) is an instant messaging and presence computer program which uses the proprietary OSCAR instant messaging protocol and the TOC protocol to allow regi...
AOL Instant Messenger (abbreviated AIM) is an instant messaging and presence computer program which uses the proprietary OSCAR instant messaging protocol and the TOC protocol to allow regi...
Apache Wave
Apache Wave is a software framework centered on online real-time collaborative editing, originally developed by Google as Google Wave.
Apache Wave is a software framework centered on online real-time collaborative editing, originally developed by Google as Google Wave.
BITNET Relay
Bitnet Relay—officially The Interchat Relay Network, also known simply as Relay—was a precursor to today's Internet Relay Chat and various online chat systems.
Bitnet Relay—officially The Interchat Relay Network, also known simply as Relay—was a precursor to today's Internet Relay Chat and various online chat systems.
Bulletin board system
A Bulletin Board System, or BBS, is a computer system running software that allows users to connect and log in to the system using a terminal program.
A Bulletin Board System, or BBS, is a computer system running software that allows users to connect and log in to the system using a terminal program.
Calliflower
Calliflower is an online web application and conference call provider that allows multiple users to dial in to a conference bridge, and to conduct web meetings, upload, share and review document...
Calliflower is an online web application and conference call provider that allows multiple users to dial in to a conference bridge, and to conduct web meetings, upload, share and review document...
CB Simulator
CompuServe CB Simulator was the first online chat service.
CompuServe CB Simulator was the first online chat service.
Chat room
A chat room is a Web site, part of a Web site, or part of an online service (such as America Online), that provides a venue for communities of users with a common interest to communicate in real...
A chat room is a Web site, part of a Web site, or part of an online service (such as America Online), that provides a venue for communities of users with a common interest to communicate in real...
Chatroulette
Chatroulette is a website that pairs strangers from around the world together for webcam-based dancing.
Chatroulette is a website that pairs strangers from around the world together for webcam-based dancing.
Colin Moock
Colin Moock is a world-renowned Flash and ActionScript expert, 'ActionScript guru', according to some Adobe reviews.
Colin Moock is a world-renowned Flash and ActionScript expert, 'ActionScript guru', according to some Adobe reviews.
Convore
Convore is a real-time chat web application created by co-founders Eric Florenzano, Leah Culver, and Eric Maguire.
Convore is a real-time chat web application created by co-founders Eric Florenzano, Leah Culver, and Eric Maguire.
Diversity University
Diversity University was the first MOO dedicated specifically for educational use.
Diversity University was the first MOO dedicated specifically for educational use.
Dreamscape (chat)
Dreamscape is a graphical online chat environment owned by Stratagem Corporation.
Dreamscape is a graphical online chat environment owned by Stratagem Corporation.
Ekiga
Ekiga /i k ai g a/ (formerly called GnomeMeeting) is a VoIP and video conferencing application for GNOME and Windows.
Ekiga /i k ai g a/ (formerly called GnomeMeeting) is a VoIP and video conferencing application for GNOME and Windows.
Emoji
Emoji is the Japanese term for the picture characters or emoticons used in Japanese wireless messages and webpages.
Emoji is the Japanese term for the picture characters or emoticons used in Japanese wireless messages and webpages.
Emote
An emoticon is a facial expression pictorially represented by punctuation and letters, usually to express a writer’s mood.
An emoticon is a facial expression pictorially represented by punctuation and letters, usually to express a writer’s mood.
Emoticon
An emoticon is a facial expression pictorially represented by punctuation and letters, usually to express a person's mood.
An emoticon is a facial expression pictorially represented by punctuation and letters, usually to express a person's mood.
ew-too
ew-too, short for Elsewhere Too, was the first publicly available code base for Internet talkers and was written by Simon "Burble" Marsh in 1992, following the demise of the second inter...
ew-too, short for Elsewhere Too, was the first publicly available code base for Internet talkers and was written by Simon "Burble" Marsh in 1992, following the demise of the second inter...
Extensible Messaging and Presence Protocol
Extensible Messaging and Presence Protocol is an open-standard communications protocol for message-oriented middleware based on XML.
Extensible Messaging and Presence Protocol is an open-standard communications protocol for message-oriented middleware based on XML.
Firetalk
Firetalk was an innovative voice/music chat program, allowing users to talk to others singly or in chatrooms.
Firetalk was an innovative voice/music chat program, allowing users to talk to others singly or in chatrooms.
fring
fring is a peer-to-peer mobile service enabling people to make free video calls, calls and live chat from their mobile phones.
fring is a peer-to-peer mobile service enabling people to make free video calls, calls and live chat from their mobile phones.
Grouptime
Grouptime is a private real-time social networking and group messaging app for mobile devices.
Grouptime is a private real-time social networking and group messaging app for mobile devices.
Hotline Communications
Hotline Communications Limited (HCL) was a software company founded in 1997, based in Toronto, Canada, with employees also in the United States and Australia.
Hotline Communications Limited (HCL) was a software company founded in 1997, based in Toronto, Canada, with employees also in the United States and Australia.
iChat Server
iChat Server is a component of Mac OS X Server from Apple Inc. It was first introduced with the release of version 10.4 of the server software, and was upgraded to version 2 with the release of ...
iChat Server is a component of Mac OS X Server from Apple Inc. It was first introduced with the release of version 10.4 of the server software, and was upgraded to version 2 with the release of ...
Instant messaging
Instant messaging (IM) is a form of real-time direct text-based chatting communication in push mode between two or more people using personal computers or other devices, along with shared clients.
Instant messaging (IM) is a form of real-time direct text-based chatting communication in push mode between two or more people using personal computers or other devices, along with shared clients.
Instant messaging client
An instant messaging client is a software application that enables the user to engage in instant messaging.
An instant messaging client is a software application that enables the user to engage in instant messaging.
InterMUD
InterMUD or interMU* communications is the commonly accepted terminology for different methods of allowing MUDs to communicate with each other.
InterMUD or interMU* communications is the commonly accepted terminology for different methods of allowing MUDs to communicate with each other.
Internet Citizen's Band
Internet Citizen's Band (better known as ICB) is an early Internet chat program.
Internet Citizen's Band (better known as ICB) is an early Internet chat program.
Internet forum
An Internet forum, or message board, is an online discussion site where people can hold conversations in the form of posted messages.
An Internet forum, or message board, is an online discussion site where people can hold conversations in the form of posted messages.
Internet Relay Chat
Internet Relay Chat is a protocol for real-time Internet text messaging or synchronous conferencing.
Internet Relay Chat is a protocol for real-time Internet text messaging or synchronous conferencing.
Jitter chat
Jitter Chat was one among the first generation of teen-oriented online chat services.
Jitter Chat was one among the first generation of teen-oriented online chat services.
Kevin Whitrick
Kevin Neil Whitrick was a British citizen, an electrical engineer and an hero.
Kevin Neil Whitrick was a British citizen, an electrical engineer and an hero.
L3 (text speech)
"L3" in text speech means "Live, Love, Laugh."
"L3" in text speech means "Live, Love, Laugh."
LAN messenger
A LAN messenger is an instant messaging program designed for use within a single local area network.
A LAN messenger is an instant messaging program designed for use within a single local area network.
Live support software
Live support software is a popular term for online chat applications designed specifically to provide online assistance to users of a website.
Live support software is a popular term for online chat applications designed specifically to provide online assistance to users of a website.
LiveJasmin
LiveJasmin is an adult video chat site of AWEmpire with thousands of chat hosts online in several categories, who can be taken on private chat after a preceding — and optional — free...
LiveJasmin is an adult video chat site of AWEmpire with thousands of chat hosts online in several categories, who can be taken on private chat after a preceding — and optional — free...
MeBeam
MeBeam is a video chat website, that allows any user to create videoconference rooms for up to 18 people.
MeBeam is a video chat website, that allows any user to create videoconference rooms for up to 18 people.
Mobile dating
Mobile dating services, also known as cell dating, cellular dating, or cell phone dating, allow individuals to chat, flirt, meet, and possibly become romantically involved by m...
Mobile dating services, also known as cell dating, cellular dating, or cell phone dating, allow individuals to chat, flirt, meet, and possibly become romantically involved by m...
MOO
A MOO (MUD, object oriented) is a text-based online virtual reality system to which multiple users (players) are connected at the same time.
A MOO (MUD, object oriented) is a text-based online virtual reality system to which multiple users (players) are connected at the same time.
MSN
MSN (originally The Microsoft Network) is a collection of Internet sites and services provided by Microsoft.
MSN (originally The Microsoft Network) is a collection of Internet sites and services provided by Microsoft.
MSN Chat
MSN Chat was the Microsoft Network version of IRCX (Internet Relay Chat extensions by Microsoft), which replaced Microsoft Chat, a set of Exchange-based IRCX servers first available in the...
MSN Chat was the Microsoft Network version of IRCX (Internet Relay Chat extensions by Microsoft), which replaced Microsoft Chat, a set of Exchange-based IRCX servers first available in the...
MUSH
A MUSH is a particular family of Multi-User Dungeons, a text-based online social medium to which multiple users are connected at the same time.
A MUSH is a particular family of Multi-User Dungeons, a text-based online social medium to which multiple users are connected at the same time.
Novell Vibe
Novell Vibe is an real time collaborative editing (RTCE) software platform under development from Novell released in April 2011.
Novell Vibe is an real time collaborative editing (RTCE) software platform under development from Novell released in April 2011.
NUTS (talker)
NUTS, or Neil's Unix Talk Server is a talker base written in C programming language by Neil Robertson, and got the status as the best-known talker base by 1996, surpassing ew-too.
NUTS, or Neil's Unix Talk Server is a talker base written in C programming language by Neil Robertson, and got the status as the best-known talker base by 1996, surpassing ew-too.
Online chat
Online chat can refer to any kind of communication over the Internet, but is primarily meant to refer to direct one-on-one chat or text-based group chat, using tools such as instant messengers, ...
Online chat can refer to any kind of communication over the Internet, but is primarily meant to refer to direct one-on-one chat or text-based group chat, using tools such as instant messengers, ...
Operator messaging
Operator Messaging is the term, similar to Text Messaging and Voice Messaging, applying to an answering service call center who focuses on one specific scripting style that has grown out of the ...
Operator Messaging is the term, similar to Text Messaging and Voice Messaging, applying to an answering service call center who focuses on one specific scripting style that has grown out of the ...
Overdose (program)
Overdose is a Yahoo! Chat client written in C, and using the curses library for text I/O. It is multithreaded using pthreads, and works on Linux/BSD/Unix and Windows.
Overdose is a Yahoo! Chat client written in C, and using the curses library for text I/O. It is multithreaded using pthreads, and works on Linux/BSD/Unix and Windows.
Padonkaffsky jargon
Padonkaffsky jargon or Olbanian language is a cant language developed by padonki of Runet.
Padonkaffsky jargon or Olbanian language is a cant language developed by padonki of Runet.
Paint chat
A paint chat is an online chat room that allow its participants to draw together in real-time while they chat.
A paint chat is an online chat room that allow its participants to draw together in real-time while they chat.
PaltalkScene
Paltalk Messenger, or simply referred to as Paltalk, is an Internet chat service that allows users to communicate via instant messaging, voice and video chat.
Paltalk Messenger, or simply referred to as Paltalk, is an Internet chat service that allows users to communicate via instant messaging, voice and video chat.
Paralanguage
Paralanguage refers to the non-verbal elements of communication used to modify meaning and convey emotion.
Paralanguage refers to the non-verbal elements of communication used to modify meaning and convey emotion.
Personal im
15 of the world's leading mobile operators have signed up to the Personal IM initiative.
15 of the world's leading mobile operators have signed up to the Personal IM initiative.
Personal message
A personal message or private message, often shortened to PM, is like an e-mail sent from one user to another user on an Internet forum, bulletin board system, social networking site...
A personal message or private message, often shortened to PM, is like an e-mail sent from one user to another user on an Internet forum, bulletin board system, social networking site...
RookChat
RookChat is an open source programming project and RinkWorks feature started by Samuel Stoddard to create a featureful and configurable HTTP/CGI chat room engine.
RookChat is an open source programming project and RinkWorks feature started by Samuel Stoddard to create a featureful and configurable HTTP/CGI chat room engine.
S4PG
S4PG (Skype For Power Gamers) is a client–server software package that works with Skype for Windows to provide automated VoIP call and Group Instant Messaging (IM) conferencing functionality.
S4PG (Skype For Power Gamers) is a client–server software package that works with Skype for Windows to provide automated VoIP call and Group Instant Messaging (IM) conferencing functionality.
Shoutbox
A shoutbox, saybox, tagboard, or chatterbox is a chat-like feature of some websites that allows people to quickly leave messages on the website, generally without any form of u...
A shoutbox, saybox, tagboard, or chatterbox is a chat-like feature of some websites that allows people to quickly leave messages on the website, generally without any form of u...
SILC (protocol)
SILC (Secure Internet Live Conferencing protocol) is a protocol that provides secure synchronous conferencing services (very much like IRC) over the Internet.
SILC (Secure Internet Live Conferencing protocol) is a protocol that provides secure synchronous conferencing services (very much like IRC) over the Internet.
SMS language
SMS language or textese (also known as txt-speak, txtese, chatspeak, txt, txtspk, txtk, txto, texting language, txt lingo, SMSish'...
SMS language or textese (also known as txt-speak, txtese, chatspeak, txt, txtspk, txtk, txto, texting language, txt lingo, SMSish'...
Social Mobile Application
Social Mobile Application is defined as social software that runs on mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets.
Social Mobile Application is defined as social software that runs on mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets.
Social mobile application
A social mobile application is defined as social software that runs on mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets.
A social mobile application is defined as social software that runs on mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets.
Solipsis
Solipsis is a free and open source system for a massively multi-participant shared virtual world designed by Joaquin Keller and Gwendal Simon at France Télécom Research and Development Labs.
Solipsis is a free and open source system for a massively multi-participant shared virtual world designed by Joaquin Keller and Gwendal Simon at France Télécom Research and Development Labs.
Synchronous conferencing
Synchronous conferencing is the formal term used in science, in particular in computer-mediated communication, collaboration and learning, to describe online chat technologies.
Synchronous conferencing is the formal term used in science, in particular in computer-mediated communication, collaboration and learning, to describe online chat technologies.
Synergy Teleconferencing System
Synergy Teleconferencing System (STS) was a PC-based online chat server popular in the 80's and early 90s.
Synergy Teleconferencing System (STS) was a PC-based online chat server popular in the 80's and early 90s.
talk (software)
talk was a program originally used for live text communication between different users of a single multi-user computer running the Unix operating system.
talk was a program originally used for live text communication between different users of a single multi-user computer running the Unix operating system.
Text messaging
Text messaging, or texting, refers to the exchange of brief written messages between fixed-line phone or mobile phone and fixed or portable devices over a network.
Text messaging, or texting, refers to the exchange of brief written messages between fixed-line phone or mobile phone and fixed or portable devices over a network.
Tinychat
Tinychat, is an internet chat service that allows users to communicate via instant messaging, voice and video chat.
Tinychat, is an internet chat service that allows users to communicate via instant messaging, voice and video chat.
TinyMUCK
TinyMUCK or, more broadly, a MUCK, is a type of user-extendable online text-based role-playing game, designed for role playing and social interaction.
TinyMUCK or, more broadly, a MUCK, is a type of user-extendable online text-based role-playing game, designed for role playing and social interaction.
TokBox
TokBox is a web application that allows users to make multi-party video chat calls over the Internet without a download.
TokBox is a web application that allows users to make multi-party video chat calls over the Internet without a download.
Trillian (software)
Trillian is a proprietary multiprotocol instant messaging application for Windows, Mac OS X, iOS, BlackBerry, Android, and the Web, created by Cerulean Studios.
Trillian is a proprietary multiprotocol instant messaging application for Windows, Mac OS X, iOS, BlackBerry, Android, and the Web, created by Cerulean Studios.
Usage share of instant messaging clients
This is a table comparing the different instant messenger clients available.
This is a table comparing the different instant messenger clients available.
Virtual Places Chat
Virtual Places Chat is software that uses the paradigm that any web page on the Internet is a chat room – a Virtual Place – if one or more people are viewing the page with the VPchat program.
Virtual Places Chat is software that uses the paradigm that any web page on the Internet is a chat room – a Virtual Place – if one or more people are viewing the page with the VPchat program.
Voodoo Chat
Voodoo Chat, opened in very late December 2001 is a text-based chat program with voice chat features created in the wake of Excite's Virtual Places closure due to the company's bankruptcy follow...
Voodoo Chat, opened in very late December 2001 is a text-based chat program with voice chat features created in the wake of Excite's Virtual Places closure due to the company's bankruptcy follow...
vSide
vSide is an Internet based 3D virtual world launched in May 15, 2006 which is currently in its public Beta.
vSide is an Internet based 3D virtual world launched in May 15, 2006 which is currently in its public Beta.
Web chat
A web chat is a system that allow users to communicate in real time using easily accessible web interfaces.
A web chat is a system that allow users to communicate in real time using easily accessible web interfaces.
Webx forum software
Webx forum software, also known as Webcrossing web application that drives internet forums.
Webx forum software, also known as Webcrossing web application that drives internet forums.
Whiteboarding
Whiteboarding is the placement of shared files on an on-screen shared notebook or whiteboard.
Whiteboarding is the placement of shared files on an on-screen shared notebook or whiteboard.
Wi-not mobile
Wi-Not Mobile is a communication, information and entertainment platform, currently compatibe with Windows Mobile devices.
Wi-Not Mobile is a communication, information and entertainment platform, currently compatibe with Windows Mobile devices.
Wireclub
Wireclub is an internet chat service that allows users to communicate via private instant messaging and multi-user chat rooms that resemble IRC channels and support hundreds of simultaneous users.
Wireclub is an internet chat service that allows users to communicate via private instant messaging and multi-user chat rooms that resemble IRC channels and support hundreds of simultaneous users.
Yuuguu
Yuuguu is a desktop sharing and web conferencing application and the software company behind it, Yuuguu Ltd., was founded by Anish Kapoor and Philip Hemsted.
Yuuguu is a desktop sharing and web conferencing application and the software company behind it, Yuuguu Ltd., was founded by Anish Kapoor and Philip Hemsted.