A news story from the Associated Press explores the generational differences using email, instant messaging and text messaging between the baby boomers and today's young people. Today's young people view email as old school. The preferred means of communicating are instant messaging and text messaging. To them email is like snail mail. To view the story click on Email losing ground. Check it out and offer your thoughts.

Well I don't get spammed on IM. My email inbox is full of spam.Though I do not see the appeal of text messaging.

I think of text messaging as a sympton of the need for isolation and self-indulgent behavior I still feel guilty using email instead of picking up the phone and actually conversing with a living, breathing human being! But that's just me

I don't see it as an "either-or" choice. There is a place for all modes of communication. Even if I talk to someone, I like to have an email message about it as well. It provides some record of what was said, what needs to be done, etc. I never discard email (except spam, of course). I file every message so that months, even years later, I can go back and retrieve what was said. IM is good when you want to have real-time interaction. Tammy, are Google IMs archived? In my course management system, all of the chats are archived so that the students and I can go back to review the synchronous discussions they have had on line.I don't do text messaging on my cell phone because I don't want the extra charges:-) Perhaps now that our daughter is back in the US, this might change. Of course, I'd have to increase my fluency in the text messaging language.Rosemary

I don't use the google client. I've mostly used ICQ and YIM. I think whether or not chats are archived is part of the settings for each person. You may choose to archive or not. Kathy, do you know?

I do have a google gmail account, but have never tried google chat, although I've read about it. I would be most happy to explore this with someone else out there who also has a google account. Then we will know for sure. (If still need an invite to get google mail, let me know because last I checked I had 99 more accounts I can give out.)

Also...I wanted to say that when I first read the article it made so much sense to me. My 14 yo neice is really into IM. Last time they came to my house, she launched her IM client from our kitchen computer. She must have had about ten people she was talking with simultaneously. She's also wanting a phone for Christmas & frequently "steals" her dad's cellphone, not only to talk, but to send SMS messages. She frequently sends them my way. It was nice to keep in touch with her when she recently went on her class trip to Washington DC. Personally, I think all have their places. I like the PMs in the community as a quick message to send or receive. I like email for items I need to keep for future reference (much like Rosemary described above). I use IM quite frequently to talk with Tammy & Art. I think it's a great tool to use to be able to ask a quick question. Less costly than a phone call, and less formal as an email. I really like IM & wish more people would use it for quick items.Tammy - you're right about preferences. In Yahoo you can even choose to save a particular conversation...or print it out if you want. I usually don't with IMs though. My phone plan allows SMS text messaging, and I use this quite a bit with my youngest son...or to send my husband a quick message without having to call.I guess I pick the appropriate tool for appropriate communication. And yes, sometimes the phone is a great way to connect & the preferred method. But it doesn't always have to be.

OK - info about chatting in google...it automatically archives unless you go to options & select "off the record".

Interesting conversation...however, I have not been exposed to the hardware that can TM or IM. I have just moved to an all-cell climate in my home. That was a big; however, $$$ saving step for us. Now... I'm still unsure about charges, etc. A friend's son had a couple months of over $200 in messaging because, he didn't understand the process. He may have known and feigned ignorance in the presence of his parents.Could we have a 30 minute lesson on this mode of communication during our next MC3 retreat to enhance our own knowledge?? Maybe the "texters" could teach the "phonies"... that doesn't sound right! You get the message!Gary

Gary - you are toooo funny! "Phonies" eh? I am impressed that you have moved to an all-cell climate in your home! I have been trying to talk my family into this for a couple of years now. (All of us use cell phones almost exclusively.)My question to you is...when asked for a "home phone number", what do you do? I am thinking about using a skypein number for this so I won't get telemarketers calling my cell phone. What has been your experience with this?I would call my cell phone provider & ask about texting & related charges. With my current plan, I can send & receive unlimited text messages as well as pictures (via phone) and even browse the web via phone. I don't browse the web that often, but it can come in handy. Last weekend we were in Tulsa meeting up with my sister & her family. While at the mall & waiting for my 14yo niece to come out of a store, I surfed the web & read up on some news stories. TM & IM are software applications, and I do realize that you may not be able to install certain types of software on your computer at work. Most phones now are capable of doing TM & web, but make sure to check first because it can be very pricey if you don't have this included in your plan!So how about those who use their "phones" to "text"? Would that be a phonie texter??

Kathy, we just got rid of our home phone last Friday. My husband and I are using cell phones for everything. It's too new for me to say that it's definitely going to work. And it feels odd, too. But it's so cost effective that we're determined to give it a good try! What's a "skypein number" and how does it help keep telemarketers at bay?

You guys are giving me the courage to re-think my options here. As I might have said before, my husband, my sister & my brother have BIG reservations for us giving up our phone number we've had for 30+ years. We rarely use our home phone as it is. My husband/sister/brother almost always call me on my cell phone anyway...so what's the big deal?? Here's where you can read about skypein. Of course the use of a phone number for an entire year costs $38, and all calls are free for now. What I DON'T know is if they will start charging after December 31, 2006! I was thinking that this would be a great way to give people my "home number" and not have to worry about getting unsolicited cell phone calls. I guess I'll have to wait to see what happens here.Here are some other links for voip & internet telephony. These are Mac related articles, but the principles are the same no matter which OS platform you use.I think my biggest holdout here is when you are REQUIRED to use a home phone. What do people do here? I would hate to get solicitors on my cell phone. Can anyone think of a different workaround?

Having gone the cell phone only route for over a year, I can tell you that I haven't had any problems with solicitors. I've had my vonage line for less than six months and the local newspaper is already soliciting me.