Learning Media Glossary (Clive Shephard)

Instant messaging is provided through one of a number of messaging applications (Windows/MSN Messenger, Yahoo! Messenger, Google Messenger, AOL Messenger, etc.). All parties to the discussion must be using the same messaging application. Unlike a chat room, discussion is constrained to a user's pre-defined contacts, with whom the user can communicate whenever the messaging software detects they are online.

Although most instant messaging is in text, it is becoming increasingly common for communication to be extended to voice (see 'VOIP') and picture (with the aid of a webcam).

Interactive television provides the same capabilities as traditional, analogue television but is also capable of delivering highly interactive multimedia programming including games and quizzes. Interactive television can be delivered off-air (as with Freeview), by satellite or fibre-optic cable.