Basic IM Tips
What is Instant Messenger?
(“IM”)
Instant messaging is real-time
communication. It's a blend of e-mail and chat
(since you send one to someone and get
real-time communication), but better. It's
also fast eclipsing e-mail as the most popular
Internet communication tool.
What is a Buddy List?
Buddy lists
are a great way to keep track of friends
online. They started on
AOL,
to allow you to track other members and know
when they were online so you could contact
them. Now many
ISPs
and other online services offer them as well.
Most instant messaging services and
ICQ
use them, although these services might call
them something else, like "notify lists."
Hazards:
Some of the hazards of using
instant messengers are:
1. It is an easy way for
strangers to contact you.
2. It is an easy way for people
to find out vital information about you.
3. If you have not set your
preferences you may never know who
may be watching you while you are online.
4. IM programs are never 100%
secure.
5. You can receive unwanted
messages which many contain live links to
adult sites.
Privacy Preferences:
After logging
onto the
AIM
program click your mouse where it says MY
AIM,
then Edit Options, Then Edit Preferences.
Click the tab named Privacy.
Once inside the Privacy options there are
several ways to block some people while
allowing others access.
The top box says ~ Who can
contact me?
Left side says:
Allow All
Users to Contact me.
(If this option is checked, then anyone with
AIM
or
AOL
can message you)
Allow Only users on my Buddy
List
(If this option is checked, only users who are
actually on YOUR buddy list may message you)
Allow Only the Users Below
(If this option is checked, only users who are
on the list below this option may message
you)
To Add Users to the allow list:
Click the button that says ADD
NAME, and then type the screen name in the
highlighted space above the button.
On the right hand side of the
Who can contact me list are three more
options
Block All Users:
(If this option is checked, then No one can
see that your online or message you.
Your
virtually Invisible Block
AIM
users Only:
(If this option is checked, then only users
who are logged on to
AOL
can message you. All
AOL
Instant messenger Users will be blocked)
Block the Users Below:
(If this option is checked, then only the
users who are listed in the box below this
option will be unable to message you) *
Remember, though that these users could have
multiple screen names, and if you don't have
them blocked on all their screen names, they
could add you using another and still message
you *
To add users to the block list,
click the button that says ADD Name, and then
type the screen name in the highlighted space
above the button.
In the privacy options, there
is also an option to allow others to know how
long you have been idle.
You may or may not want to
check this button.
(I personally do not allow others to know how
long I have been idle)
And Finally
also in the privacy preferences options, an
option to: Allow users who know my e-mail
address to find: My Screen name:
(checking this option will allow anyone whom
has your e-mail address to find your
AIM
screen name)
Only that I
have an account:
(checking this option will let others know
that you do have an
AIM
account, but not your screen name or other
information)
Nothing About me:
(checking this option will not allow others to
know anything about you at all)
* safest option in my opinion *
