'Online
chat' can refer to any kind of
communication over
Internet, but is primarily meant to refer to direct one-on-one chat or
text-based group chat (formally also known as
synchronous conferencing), using tools such as
instant messaging applications—
computer programs,
Internet Relay Chat,
talkers and possibly
MUDs,
MUCKs,
MUSHes and
MOOes.
While many of the Internet's well-known services offer online chat and messaging services for free, an increasing number of providers are beginning to show strong revenue streams from for-pay services. Again it is the
adult service providers, profiting from the advent of reliable and high-speed
broadband, (notably across
Eastern Europe) who are at the forefront of the for-pay online chat revolution.
For every business traveller engaging in a video call or
conference call rather than braving the check-in queue, there are countless
web users replacing traditional conversational means with online chat and messaging. Like
email, which has reduced the need for and usage of letters, faxes, and memos, online chat is steadily replacing telephony as the means of office and home communication. The
early adopters in these areas are undoubtedly teenage users of
instant messaging. It might not be long before
SMS text messaging usage declines as mobile handsets provide the technology for online chat.
See also
General terms
★
Chat room
★
Web chat site
★
Voice chat
★ VoIP
Voice over IP
★
Live support software
★
Online discussion
★
Online discourse environment
★
Chatgroups
Protocols/Programs
★
Talker
★
Internet Relay Chat
★
Instant messenger
★
PalTalk
★
Galeax
★
Talk (Unix)
★
Meetro
★
MUD
★
MUSH
★
MOO
★ Mimichat
★
Google Talk
★
Yahoo! Messenger
★
PSYC
★
Skype
★
SILC
★
Windows Live Messenger
★
Campfire
★
Teamspeak
★ Tangler
★ Chatablanca
★
RealTimeQuery
★
Tiscali Chat (Java)
Chat programs supporting multiple protocols
★
Adium
★
Pidgin
★
Meetro
★
Miranda IM
★
Trillian
★
Kopete
★
IMVU
Online Chatting Sites Supporting Multiple Protocols
★ RadiusIM
★
Meebo
★ Buddystumbler