What's the difference between IM and email?

Question

I've searched the Web and I'm still confusued. I use email so I know how that works but IM seems to be the same thing. Do you have an IM address like you have an email address?

Answer 1

for Im's u get a screen name go to www.aim .com thats is an i-m site. IM is instant messaaging its like tlking on the fone but on the computer email is sorta the same but u dnt get a reply rite away. hope this helps

Answer 2

IM is INSTANT. The recieving party is right there on the other end, talking to you and at their computer the same time you are. It usually takes milliseconds for the person to recieve your message in IM, whilst e-mail is like leaving a message for a person to recieve later. If a person is not online and the instant messaging program does not support offline IMs, the receiving party cannot recieve IMs from you. And as to your question about an IM address.. you have an IM screenname, it's like the same thing. It's basically a user ID. Hope that helps! =)

Answer 3

e mail is like writing a letter to someone. IM is like talking on the phone.

when your on the phone to someone and say something to them you get an instant response IM - instant message so when you type and send something the person you send it to can respond instantly.

e mails take a while longer becaue you need to wait for a response like you would with a posted letter.

you can use email addresses with msn messenger or if you use yahoo messenger you use your yahoo id. there are loads of diffrent instant messengers out there so just give one a go and you will see first hand the diffrence

Answer 4

Well IM is instant messenger. You talk to someone while they're online. It's like a chat website. Except you can talk with a friend and it'll just go back and forth such as email it takes awhile. It's like they'll get your e-mail whenever you get it. But IM is just back and forth typing. But yes, you do have an ID for your IM address; such as mine: "Suki_Bakudon" that's my IM address, but it's the same as e-mail. I hope that helped and didn't get you more confused.

Answer 5

IM stands for instant messaging. its lil bit different from email. so, you have a program like outlook or something where your e-mail box is open all the time and you can receive emails back in forth instantly. where IM uses a program like AIM, which is a lil pop up box for each person your chatting wit.

IM requires you to set up an screen name with a program; ie. aim, msn messenger, icq (i dont think ppl use that anymore). where you share your screen name with other ppl wit the matching program. where email can be sent from anyone with an email.

Answer 6

Standard email goes via two routes.

When you send mail, it goes via a SMTP server.

When you receive mail, it comes from a POP server.

IM uses points on a network to send instant messages to users on a network (using a user name).

IM is instant. Email relies on some user interaction (although you can set most client to download mail on a regular basis).

Hope this helps.

Answer 7

IM is particularly like a chatting element. this is extra advantageous to apply it once you purely want to speak particularly than utilising your digital mail. i've got faith it is likewise slightly speedier and it won't get your inbox over complete.

Answer 8

IM is one-to-one communication in real time. When you IM with someone, they see what you write as soon as you SEND the message and they reply immediately (hence the name IM for Instant Message)

E-mail is like snail mail where your message waits for you to retrieve it from your inbox.

Answer 9

IM is faster and if the person is online u can talk 2 them like there on the phone only typing 2 them. e-mail can take a wile.

Answer 10

Well IM is more like of a converstion. You dont have adresses but you do have IM Buddies, contacts, or friends. Some IM programs let you go to IM or chat rooms to meet new people.