Instant Messaging Planet hasn't been around for the whole year. Yet it seems that many of the important IM stories in 2001 happened during our watch.
While we officially launched Nov. 2, we were covering the arena for almost two months before that date. During that time, we saw many trends that drove the sector this year, and will undoubtedly continue to influence the IM market next year and farther into the future.
So in the finest David Letterman-style, we now present the Top 5 IM Trends of the year (?) -- in reverse order!
5. Viruses and IM
The year 2001 marked the first time (that we know of) that a virus creator used instant messaging to help transmit his or her deadly cargo. The "Goner" worm used the ICQ client, as well as Microsoft Outlook, to lure unsuspecting users into installing a fake screensaver that instead wreaked havoc on their computers. As with other e-mail borne worms, it also used Outlook to multiply and thrive. If this development follows other trends, look for more worms and viruses coming to a computer in front of you via IM.
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4. Using IM in emergencies/disasters
The use of instant messaging and e-mail during times of emergency came to the forefront during the terrorist attacks of last September. Since then, several companies have stepped up to provide a variety of IM-related services that can help companies, organizations, local school districts and governments distribute news and crucial information.
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3. IM and the wireless world
Specific IM trends in the wireless world were difficult to track. But as you can see from the list of stories below, IM technology has made it in the wireless world and is sure to become an even bigger part of it in the future.
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2. IM as a sales/marketing tool
Business people are always trying to make a buck off of technology, right? Right. That's especially true in the emerging instant-messaging space, as several companies are using IM to try to sell consumers on a variety of goods and services. And one report that came out last month tells how e-commerce concerns can use IM to drum up sales.
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And the #1 IM story of the year...
1. Microsoft's forays into IM
When it comes to things Internet-related, Microsoft has always been a Johnny-come-lately -- remember, it had to play catch-up in the Internet browser market. But even when it arrives late to a party, the software giant has a tendency to steal the spotlight. The same holds true for its dealings with the IM market, as it tightly integrates Windows Messenger into its new Windows XP. Microsoft also integrated IM into its .Net initiative, and heavily promoted use of its MSN Messenger with its MSN online service.
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In 2002, we'll have an entire year's worth of stories from which to choose. So make sure to come back to IMPlanet every day to keep up with the stories that are important in this emerging sector.
Bob Woods is the opinionated managing editor of InstantMessagingPlanet.com.
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