Question

[Yuu~chan]

You are going to read an article about instant messaging, a way of communicating using the internet. Choose the most suitable heading from the list A – F for each part (1-6) of the article.  There is an example at the beginning (1).

CHAT WITH FRIENDS IN AN INSTANT (by Chris Toney)

A. Ways to communicate.       D. Speed and flexibility.

B. Getting started.                   E. Communicating with friends online.

C. Choose your category.        F. Long – distance solution.

1. D

Instant messaging –or IM- is more immediate than e-mail as you don’t have to check your inbox for new messages – they appear instantly. Another advantage is that more than two people at a time can join in an IM conversation, so it’s ideal for, say, making social arrangements among groups of friends.

2.

Communication by IM isn’t restricted to text. You can send pictures stored on your computer, and if you have microphones and speakers you can talk – the advantage being that internet charges are usually cheaper than phone calls. If you and a friend have webcams, you can also make a video call, in which you can see as well as hear each other.

3.

John Moran, 13, from Southport uses instant messaging to keep in touch with relatives more often”. Carol Taylor, 24, who lives in Argentina, agrees. “My parents live in the UK, and we prefer using an instant messengers to sending email or text messages as it’s more like a real on the other side of the world. “When I go online I swap messages with my cousins in Australia”, says John. It’s much cheaper than phoning them and means I can speak to them conversation”, she says. “I’d rather chat online than call them as it costs so much less”.

4.

The fist step in using IM is to download a piece of software from one of the websites that offer the service. If you already have friends who use IM, find out which program they have. It’s free, doesn’t take long to download and the only costs you face are the standard call charges while you’re on line.

5. 

Once you’ve installed this software and connected to the Internet you can start exchanging messages with your friends online. Each user of the service has their own user name. If you find out the user name of people you know, you can create a friend lists. Then, when you go on line, the software tells you which of them are also connected to the Internet, and you can send them a message.

6.

The features on offer vary depending on which service you opt for, although there is not much difference between instant messenger packages. As well as allowing you to use microphones and webcams, most give you a range of options regarding your status. You can usually appear as “online”, “busy” or “away from PC”. The “busy” status is useful if you’re online but don’t want to be disturbed. The “away from PC” status is usually used by those who are permanently online (people who have broadband or an office connection) but aren’t always at their computer.