History of Internet messaging platforms

Windows Live Messenger users will soon have to bid goodbye to the messaging platform and consider making a switch to Skype, according to a recent announcement by Microsoft.

The world’s largest software maker will be letting go of Windows Live Messenger, more fondly known as MSN Messenger. Instead, Microsoft will be diverting their focus to their Skype platform service, which allows users to communicate with their friends and loved ones via voice, video and instant messaging. To aid the transition, a new version of Skype has just been launched a few weeks ago and enables users to sign in with their Microsoft account.

In light of the retiring 13-year-old Windows Live Messenger, let’s take a nostalgic look back at the history of Internet messaging platforms and how they have evolved over the years.

CompuServe CB Simulator was the very first online chat service developed and released by CompuServe in 1980. Its name was inspired by the CB (Citizen's Band) radios that were popular at the time. Cool fact #1? The first online wedding was held on CompuServe CB in 1983.

CompuServe improved the CB Simulator over the years, and added on features such as multiplayer games, digital pictures, multimedia and conference chats. Cool Fact #2: Mick Jagger of the Rolling Stones held the first online multimedia conference using CompuServe CB from London on December 7, 1995.

Created in 1988, IRC was one of the most popular platforms known for real-time Internet text messaging. It allowed for group communication in individual channels and also provided private messaging platforms for users to talk one-on-one. Some channels were more active than others, with some of the top 100 IRC networks having more than half a million users at one time.

In 1998, America Online bought over CompuServe and inherited their interactive online services. In addition, they also bought over another instant messaging computer programs called ICQ which was developed by the Israeli company Mirabilis.

AOL also created its own instant messenger called AOL Instant Messenger (AIM) which allowed registered users to communicate in real time, and was released in 1997. The AIM software was made available for a range of platforms including Microsoft Windows, Windows Mobile, Mac OS, Mac OS X, Android, iOS and BlackBerry OS.

Around 1998, Yahoo also launched their own instant messaging platform called Yahoo! Messenger. Previously known as Yahoo! Pager, the service is offered free-of-charge to users with a Yahoo! ID. Yahoo! Messenger also offers address-book integration, Custom Status Messages, Yahoo! Chat rooms and most recently, personalized avatars!

Since 2010, most social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter have been offering additional Instant Messaging services to your social network. Facebook Chat now even offers Video calling, where users can talk to their friends on Facebook face-to-face.Since 2010, most social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter have been offering additional Instant Messaging services to your social network. Facebook Chat now even offers Video calling, where users can talk to their friends on Facebook face-to-face.

Now mobile messaging apps such as Whatsapp coupled with mobile broadband internet services have equipped everyone with the ability to instant-message on-the-go! iPhone applications such as Facetime also allow users to easily have video-conferences with their phone’s contacts anytime, anywhere.

Original article: MSN