Instant messaging services are programs that enable you to communicate in real time with others who are also online. There is a wide list of all the different kinds of instant messaging programs but some of the main programs are AOL's AIM, Yahoo, Google, and MSN. ZangoMessenger and Messenger City are other IM services that allow users of all the popular IMs to talk to each other regardless of the service they are using. When you use IM, you are able to set up a buddy list, which is a list of all of your online contacts, kind of like a phone book in your cell phone. To be able to talk with someone in your buddy list, that person has to be online at the same time you are. Some of the instant messaging programs offer settings so that you can appear offline to certain buddies and online to others. If you want to communicate with more than one person at a time, you can have simultaneous individual conversations or if everyone wants to talk together, you can create a custom IM chat room. Also, many IM services such as AOL AIM or MSN messenger offer chat services so you can talk to your buddies if you have a microphone and speakers. A video camera will allow you to see them as you chat.