Inspired by the latest version of Mac OS X (dubbed ‘Tiger’), I’ve been using iChatAV much more lately. For those unfamiliar with Mac applications, iChatAV is the equivalent of AOL Instant Messenger. In fact, you can use AOL Instant Messenger to chat with anyone using iChatAV. Jabber and ICQ are also compatible with iChatAV.
I used to be a huge fan of Instant Messaging programs, especially back in the late 1980s when I worked for DEC. We used a program called VAXphone (I think that was the name of it) that allowed us to do the Instant Messaging thing, and allowed me to chat all night with my friends who were a long distance call away. Of course this was all at 1200-baud, so there wasn’t any image exchanges or file trading going on, nor did we use webcams because they weren’t around yet, but it was great to be able to chat away and such.
So now I’m back on the IM bandwagon again. We use IM at work to chat between co-workers in different offices. It’s an efficient way to keep in touch when you have a quick question. At home, while I’ve always been an e-mailaholic, I’m appreciating the instantaneous nature of instanting messaging. I pride myself on my rapid typing abilities, so I tend to type out complete sentences and complete words, whereas folks like my sister and motheruse these two letter abberviations that take me a few moments to comprehend.
Anyways, I’ve added a little “online” indicator once again to my blog so you can see when I’m on iChatAV/AOL IM. Feel free to drop a little line and say hello if you’re so inclined. It’ll be fun.
