Do people still use instant messenger programs?

Mixolydian

Lifer
Nov 7, 2011
14,566
91
86
gilramirez.net
I remember 10 years ago when programs like AOL Instant Messenger (AIM) were wildly popular. But it seems within the past 5 or so, no one really talks about it. Did social media sites like Facebook/MySpace/etc. put an end to the standalone instant messenger? :hmm:
 

lxskllr

No Lifer
Nov 30, 2004
58,517
8,797
126
Near as I can tell that's the case. I've never been a fan of real time chat though. I've only used it for task oriented purposes.
 

Zeze

Lifer
Mar 4, 2011
11,395
1,187
126
I think smartphones and integrated messengers made them obsolete.

I use Gmail Chat whenever my email is open. Also FB messenger here and there. Apparently those two programs also installed themselves on my smart phone.
 

thestrangebrew1

Diamond Member
Dec 7, 2011
3,757
545
126
I know some offices in different agencies throughout the county I work for use IM. I think they're still on Novell's Groupwise or something like that. Outside of that, I know maybe a handful of people who still uses Yahoo IM but that's about it. I don't remember when was the last time I'm been IM'd or used it.
 

AstroManLuca

Lifer
Jun 24, 2004
15,628
5
81
Google Talk. Most of the people I do IM with use AIM, but Google Talk has been compatible with AIM for a while now. I use it instead of texting with some people.
 

slayernine

Senior member
Jul 23, 2007
894
0
71
slayernine.com
The office where I manage the IT has this stupid program called ePop. I hate it, I want it to die in a fire...

When you hit compose it automatically adds "all users" to the send to address... Doesn't matter how many times I tell these people to never use the compose button, almost everyday someone does it. Thankfully these idiots who programmed it went out of business years ago.
 

dank69

Lifer
Oct 6, 2009
36,735
31,696
136
Most people I know use either gtalk, steam, vent or that group texting program for mobile. People do use a messenger program at work.
Yeah we use IM at work all the time. Don't know anyone that uses it recreationally anymore, though.
 

rivan

Diamond Member
Jul 8, 2003
9,677
3
81
I use Adium at work, but it's attaching to gchat.

I use browsers for work and don't like chat living in the browser, even in another tab.
 

HumblePie

Lifer
Oct 30, 2000
14,665
440
126
Also, MSM, AIM, and Yahoo Messenger were all prone to security issues and attacks. You can do what you need with skype, gmail, facebook, or a smartphone that most Americans now have access to in this day and age. 10 years ago? It was all about the IM software. Now, not so much.
 

pontifex

Lifer
Dec 5, 2000
43,804
46
91
We use Pidgeon here at work.

Other than that I haven't really used an IM client since the 90s/early 2000s
 

nageov3t

Lifer
Feb 18, 2004
42,808
83
91
I use Facebook IM and g-chat all the time... nice alternative to texting when you'd rather use a physical keyboard instead of a touch screen.

I also use a standalone IM client at work. we're a multi-national company... having an internal IM system is a great way to communicate with people (and everything gets logged to cover my ass)
 

AFurryReptile

Golden Member
Nov 5, 2006
1,998
1
76
The office where I manage the IT has this stupid program called ePop. I hate it, I want it to die in a fire...

When you hit compose it automatically adds "all users" to the send to address... Doesn't matter how many times I tell these people to never use the compose button, almost everyday someone does it. Thankfully these idiots who programmed it went out of business years ago.

Suggest to your IT setting up an OpenFire XMPP server, and deploying Pandion Instant Messenger via group policy. They can even set it up for single sign-on.

I set this up in my office in the span of a day or two, and it's been very reliable for us for about 7 months now.