# Instant messaging
|  | **Online chat** may refer to any kind of communication over the Internet that offers a real-time transmission of text messages from sender to receiver. Chat messages are generally short in order to enable other participants to respond quickly. Thereby, a feeling similar to a spoken conversation is created, which distinguishes chatting from other text-based online communication forms such as Internet forums and email. Online chat may address point-to-point communications as well as multicast communications from one sender to many receivers and voice and video chat, or may be a feature of a web conferencing service. |
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| | wikipedia:: [Online chat](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Online_chat) |
|  | **Instant messaging** (IM) technology is a type of online chat allowing real-time text transmission over the Internet or another computer network. Messages are typically transmitted between two or more parties, when each user inputs text and triggers a transmission to the recipient(s), who are all connected on a common network. It differs from email in that conversations over instant messaging happen in real-time. Most modern IM applications use push technology and also add other features such as emojis, file transfer, chatbots, voice over IP, or video chat capabilities. |
| | wikipedia:: [Instant messaging](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Instant_messaging) |
|  | **Text messaging**, or texting, is the act of composing and sending electronic messages, typically consisting of alphabetic and numeric characters, between two or more users of mobile devices, desktops/laptops, or another type of compatible computer. Text messages may be sent over a cellular network or may also be sent via satellite or Internet connection. |
| | wikipedia:: [Text messaging](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Text_messaging) |
|  | In computing, a **Private message**, personal message, or direct message refers to a private communication sent or received by a user of a private communication channel on any given platform. Unlike public posts, PMs are only viewable by the participants. Though long a function present on IRCs and Internet forums, private channels for PMs have recently grown in popularity due to the increasing demand for privacy and private collaboration on social media. |
| | wikipedia:: [Private message](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Private_message) |
Chatbot
Push tech
synchronous vs asynchronous communication
[[Peer-to-peer]]
[[Message-oriented Middleware (MOM)]]
## Protocols & Technology
- [[SMS text messaging]]
- [[IRC]]
- [[Usenet]]
- [[XMPP]]
- [[Matrix (protocol)]]
- [[RCS]]
- [[WebRTC]]
## Tools
- [[SMS text messaging]]
- [[IRC]]
- [[Usenet]]
- [[Matrix (protocol)]]
### Clients/Apps
(Most [[Videotelephony]] and [[Internet forum]] and Team chat apps have direct messaging)
- [[SMS text messaging]]
- [[iMessage]]
- [[Signal (software)]]
- [[Element (software)]]
- [[Telegram (software)]]
- [[Beeper (app)]]
- [[Google Chat]]
- [[Google Messages]]
- [[WhatsApp]]
- [[WeChat]]
### [[Video Games]]
- [[Mumble]]
- [[Steam]]
- [[Steam Chat]]
- [[Discord (software)|Discord]]