I hate to break it to you, but there's another communications tool that you need to get used to. If you already use an Instant Messenger, skip to the last couple paragraphs because I want to tell you about a cool tool you need to make your IM even better - but first I need to make the case for IM to anyone who hasn't tried it out yet.

Email and voicemail are fantastic tools that help you get quick answers from people. But sometimes-even email isn't fast enough, and that's where IM steps in to fill the gap. When you send an email you have no idea whether or not the person you are communicating with is even online. Also, with email when the answer to your simple question only raises other questions you could be playing email 'ping pong' for days.

With instant messaging you maintain a list of people you want to interact with periodically. The icons identifying the people on your "buddy list" or "contact list" tell you whether the person is online or not. If they are online you click on their name and a window opens up in which you can type your question. When you hit 'enter' a similar dialog box opens on your buddy's monitor and an audible tone chimes in to let them know that they have been IM'd.

The two of you can then type messages back and forth in real time. Other features allow you to send them links, images, sounds or files. Some IM tools allow you to open chat rooms with friends or co-workers and use the connection (along with a microphone and your computer's speakers) to talk to your buddy instead of using the phone.

One of the first widely accepted IM tool, called ICQ (shorthand for "I seek you"), launched in 1996 and was immediately popular. Since then several other providers have launched similar tools; AOL, Yahoo and MSN all offer their versions of instant messaging tools. To download the free software you only have to go to their respective sites and follow instructions, and you don't have to be a paid subscriber to any of their other services either. Once downloaded, you will pick a user name and establish your buddy list - it helps if you know someone using one of these IM tools already.

I like to use AOL Instant Messenger (AIM) because it uses fewer system resources. AOL lets me, even though I don't use AOL as my Internet service provider. They run a few ads on my AIM interface, but they are fairly unobtrusive. It's a fair trade.

IM can be great for business. At Pronettsolutions we use it to communicate with developers, clients, business associates and family members. I like it when my wife IM's me when she gets home just to let me know she's there. It only takes a second, and is far less intrusive than a phone call would be and it's timelier than an email.

Because IMing involves typing in real time, an unofficial shorthand has developed that might take you a short while to understand completely, but it's not a serious barrier. People type "LOL" instead of "Laugh out loud" to indicate that what you just said was funny. They might also send you an icon showing a cartoonish character laughing; "emoticons" are smiley-face visual representations of some common emotions used to give an emotional context to some of your IM communications. Emoticons are easy to use, just point and click on the one you want from a list on your IM interface.

Advanced IM tool
As the number of IM platforms grew it became common for people to have one buddy tied to the AIM service, another using ICQ and a third using Yahoo! Instant Messenger. It's a pain to have all three services up on your computer at once, especially because you can't merge the membership from the independent tools. The designers at Cerulean Studios saw a way around the growing problem. They build a program called Trillian that allows you to be logged into AIM, Yahoo! And MSN at the same time. You only need this one application to chat with everyone.

There's a free version, and you should try that first, but I ended up paying $25 for Trillian Pro because it is cleaner and smoother than the free version. I love it because it makes the several IM tools I use - already amazingly useful - even more friendly and easy to operate. If you are already using an AIM (or Trillian), be sure to look me up by my AIM "handle" DaveProuhet. On MSN and Yahoo! I am Prouhet. IM me when you get the chance and I'll add you to my buddy list.

AIM: http://www.aim.com
Yahoo: http://messenger. yahoo.com/
MSN: http://msnmessenger- download.com/
Trillian: http://www.ceruleanstudios.com/