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Instant Messenger at Work

Instant Messenger services are more than chat toys, they can increase communication and productivity in the workplace. Instant Messenger services such as Mirabilis's ICQ, Microsoft's MSN Messenger, Yahoo Messenger, and AOL's AIM can be useful tools. 

• Using an instant messenger, you could discreetly interrupt a meeting or conference to gain urgently needed information. 
• Instant Messengers allow employees in different offices and even different sites to communicate with the speed of a phone call without tying up the phone lines or long-distance charges.
• It enables an employee to query a coworker regarding needed information while on the phone with a customer!
• With an instant messenger, your employees may have immediate communication with important customers.

Unlike email, there is currently no standard for instant messaging.  This means that the different instant messaging services can not "talk" to each other.  If you want to IM (instant message) someone on AIM, you must have the AIM program.  If you want to IM someone using ICQ, you must have the ICQ program.

All of these are free downloadable programs.  You must sign up to receive a name and password as you download the program.  

Note: You do not need to be a member of AOL to use the AIM program.  

Here are links for each of the programs listed above:

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