Why don't more seniors?

Question

do instant messaging?
To me it is so neat to "talk" to people in real time rather than on a group site. Groups are great, don't get me wrong, when you want to "talk" to a bunch of people all at once. And emails are great if you happen to be sitting right there when they come in. But with instant messaging, you pick the time and who you want to "talk" to - and you can talk to anyone in the world (if you are so inclined) and it doesn't cost you a dime !!

I'm not talking about text messaging or the language that is used there - just on the computer - take your time if you need to - don't sign in if you don't want to be bothered chatting

Answer 1

I have yahoo messenger,but the older version.I tried the new one and had a lot of trouble with it....so I went back to 6.1.
I generally am online,even when it show me as not,but I don't allow random contact from folks I don't know.That's a good way to have problems...
email me if you like.

Answer 2

I guess I'm the odd man (woman?) out here ... I love instant messaging and use it daily. I have it on at work, although not always visible, and can talk with family, friends, and business associates. And, it's like caller ID on my phone ... I know who's "calling" and I can choose to answer (if the time is right) or not. If I can't respond immediately, I can leave the message box on my screen and respond at my convenience, or take a second to tell the person I will message them back.

Answer 3

I don't anymore, because it makes me too nervous. Now I'm
a fast typer, but I'd find the message from the other end
coming in so fast,that I couldn't answer fast enough. I'd have
a couple questions waiting,and I'd still be thinking of an
answer to the first one. So for me, regular emailing is my
preference. That way I can stop if I want to get something, or
do something and get right back to the letter at hand.
I think some seniors still hunt and peck and don't type as
fast, and so it is even more difficult for them to keep up a
conversation. I've had those complaints from epals in the
past, on why they never like to type long letters. It just takes
too long.

Answer 4

I use it a lot with my son in Germany between phone calls. Love it...it's a great way for us to keep in touch and "chat". Sometimes he'll turn the web cam on and point it towards the living room so I get to watch the grand kids playing while we're typing back and forth!

I'm not sure that a lot of Seniors are familiar with it. I probably wouldn't be aware of it or paid it much attention if it wasn't for my son pointing out how great it can be.

Answer 5

What do you mean it doesn't cost anything. Yes, it does. How do you think all those teenagers come up with these large phone bills, that their parents have to end up paying. Or else it is unlimited test messaging included in your phone bill, but of course you are still paying the extra for it. Just give me a phone, to carry on a conversation with, not that I use the phone that much anyway. Just an additional expense that I can't afford.

Answer 6

I use IM ONLY with extremely close friends. It is not my favorite mode of computer communication because it is super vulnerable to the public 'seeing in' and opens you up to viruses also - much more than email.

In addition it can be bothersome to have your IM open, then having folk do-dropping in and saying 'whatcha doing?' - "Wanna talk?" etc etc...when maybe I don't really want to at that time, but don't mind writing a newsy email.

My closest friend who lives in Alabama and I email twice a day sometimes more and 'chat' the same as if we were face to face...many times it's better [no interrupting..lol]

Answer 7

Who says it doesn't cost you a dime? Every time someone IM's my phone it costs me 12 cents. Then I'm supposed to IM them back and that costs me another 12 cents. I know, what's a quarter? Let's put it this way, if you want to have lunch, then decide where, then when, that conversation through text messaging would cost me a dollar and 30 minutes of time typing out messages with my thumbs.
However, if you call me, we can figure out where and when to have lunch in less than two minutes and that conversation IS free.

Answer 8

I used AOL IM when we had it, but only with my daughter, who was away at school. I have never set up a list of friends on yahoo messenger because I can't log onto IM at work and if I'm on line for research, I don't always have time to chat on IM.. I also don't type quite fast enough to keep up with my brain. It can get confusing sometimes, we always had at least two trains of thought going at the same time. You're right, I should start using it more.

Answer 9

I enjoy it as well, but I am on the computer most of the time while at work. When it's a friend, or someone who wants to get to know me, I don't mind a few minutes of chatting. I do get interrpted often by young people wanting to direct me to this dating site or that dating site, or young men who want the conversation to turn to matters they have no business raising with me. If a friend sees me online, they're welcome to write. If I can't chat at that moment, I'll let them know when I can.

Answer 10

From my own experience I would say that I find it distracting. When I'm on the net, I am usually purpose driven and to have someone pop up and want to talk takes me away from what I was trying to learn or do.

Perhaps I'm a bit 'distant' for it. I would rather talk when I'm ready, and then I like using voice to hear emotional overtones so that I can respond correctly to what is being said. Many such nuances are lost in I/M.