does anybody still use IM anymore?

[DonQuixote]

Mike:
If you type a message, hit send, and they have it NOW, and can respond just as quickly, yeah, it's IMing. Texting isn't always instantaneous - it can be more like sending a PM here, but iPhones are web-enabled, as are a lot of smart phones - some of the guys on here IM to my Yahoo acct from their iPhone.

 

[step49]

I use Gmail's built in chat occasionally. Usually, I just text.

 

[MindBlast]

IM is dead...static shit invented by IBM in 1976.

I assure you, people use instant messaging programs all the time. You can't send files via text, and FTP is too much of a pain in the ass to set up unless the files are huge.

 

[DonQuixote]

I Yahoo just about nightly - now with a "monster" I 've created in ZooWorld - we IM back and forth as we play zoo.

Simple recreation for tired minds at the end of a day.
I know, FB has the built in IM, but the window's a pain in the backside. Use it now and again, though.

 

[Jeffs0418]

IM is dead...

Oh REALLY?!
There are a significant number of people who do use IM. And a far greater number who do it in it's modern form. It's called 'Texting'.

As for the thread question I do use IM albeit quite a bit less than say...10 years ago.
And I don't own a cell phone so I don't 'Text'.

 

[Horschallen]

I do not use IMs because I hate them.... actually it is that I hate how slow people respond to my responses to them. I only use IM at work, because it is required. At home or anywhere else, I do not. I also hate it when my friends on the west coast want to IM me late at night around my bed time and not even respond fast enough or say anything of significance while I am wanting to hit the sack. So, no I do not use them.... by choice.

 

[DonQuixote]

Horschallen,
A lot of people carry on multiple conversations at once, so they aren't necessarily in a position to respond immediately. I also know people, myself included, who are doing other things on their PC's, but want to stay in touch with friends at the same time.

You're right, it isn't quite "Instant", but it works - just have to refocus expectations and be a bit more laid back about it.

I shoot quick notes to several friends/acquaintances on here - I might wish Autolycus a good morning in the UK(GMT) at the same time I am saying Good Evening to Kulindahr on the West Coast GMT - 8, or even JustaGuy in New Zealand at +16Hours (+ 1 day - 8 hours right now).

They may just be brief exchanges, but they're global all at the same time.

I've learned that my wife's birthing class breathing exercizes from so long ago come in handy for relaxing and taking life a little less intensely, sometimes.