Online chat

Gossip-chat

Online chat refers 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 Email and Internet forums. Online chat may address point-to-point communications as well as multicast communications from one sender to multiple receivers and voice and video chat, or may be a feature of a web conferencing service.

History

Online chat began in the 1970s on multi-user systems like PLATO and the ARPANET. The first online chat system was called Talkomatic, created by Doug Brown and David R. Woolley in 1973 on the PLATO System at the University of Illinois. It offered several channels, each of which could accommodate up to five people, with messages appearing on all users' screens character-by-character as they were typed. The first dedicated online chat service that was widely available to the public was the CompuServe CB Simulator in 1980, which was created by CompuServe executive Alexander "Sandy" Trevor in Columbus, Ohio.

Types of Online Chat

Online chat can include services such as text messaging, instant messaging, email, chat rooms (both public and private), online forums, and video calls. It can be accessed on a variety of platforms, including desktop computers, laptops, tablet computers, and smartphones.

Text Messaging and Instant Messaging

Text messaging and instant messaging are often used interchangeably, but there are subtle differences. Text messaging, or texting, is the act of composing and sending brief, electronic messages between two or more mobile devices. Instant messaging (IM), on the other hand, is a type of online chat that offers real-time text transmission over the Internet. A LAAN client on the user's computer or mobile device connects to a LAAN server over a network. The server then provides information to other clients about the user's status and forwards messages to and from the user.

Chat Rooms and Online Forums

Chat rooms are web locations where users can meet and communicate with each other in real-time. Forums, in contrast, allow users to post messages but don't have the immediacy of chat rooms. Messages in a forum are often grouped by topic.

Video Calls

Video calls are a form of online chat that includes visual and audio elements, allowing users to see and hear each other in real-time. This type of chat is increasingly used for professional meetings, job interviews, and catching up with friends and family.

Safety and Privacy Concerns

With the convenience and accessibility of online chat comes concerns about safety and privacy. Users are advised to be cautious about sharing personal information and to use privacy settings on chat platforms. Cyberbullying, identity theft, and online predators are significant concerns. Many platforms have implemented features such as reporting and blocking users to help mitigate these risks.

Impact on Society

Online chat has significantly impacted social interaction, business, and education. It allows for immediate communication regardless of geographical location, making it a crucial tool for remote work, online learning, and maintaining personal relationships. However, it has also been criticized for contributing to a decrease in face-to-face interactions and an increase in social isolation.

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