Messaging Systems

• MSN: Microsoft Messages & Microsoft Live.
  Supplied as standard by Microsoft with Windows and Internet Explorer this is a commonly used and simple messaging service. Expanded to Microsoft Live it is good at video and is readily supported and updated by the manufacturer.
• AIM: America Online Instant Messenger.
  Possibly the oldest system thanks to the early creation of America Online (AOL) and has great messaging facilities, pretty good video options, email, news services, etc. etc. Best of all it's privacy is as good as the individual user wants it to be. The most heavily used messaging system across the world to date. Works well and has excellent privacy controls.
• Facebook.
  Growing like Topsy with millions of users. Lots of add-ons and extras and really a home entertainment system. Although fantastic for family and friends it's difficult for the average user to obtain anything like privacy.
• Skype.
  Also growing very fast. Very good video and telephone facilities - it's biggest draw for people with friends and family in other countries and even continents - and does have good messaging facilities.
• Others.
  Many software companies produce messaging, blog, forum or notebook facilities which are used for communicating by specific interest groups.
  They usually cost the 'group', who often acquire the funds though advertising on their forum, they are centrally controlled by the group's hierachy and therefore they need moderating.
  QCCH did have a forum previously which proved difficult to moderate.

We chose AIM before Facebook, Myspace and Skype were available and we did it because:

• Simplicity.
  It's very easy to download, install and get started.
  With a very mixed age group of users things need to be as easy as possible.
• Cost.
  It's free!
  This is part of a charity & cost is always a vital consideration. We didn't want the users to have to pay either.
• Features.
  The AIM features are the most useful ones of the choices. Away messages, one-off meeting rooms or group contact and unwanted 'contact' blocking.
• Privacy.
  It has excellent privacy controls, basically controlled by each individual user. The user can give 'buddies' as much or as little information as suits her.
• No Moderator.
  The staff at QCCH have much to accomplish at work each day & hiring someone just to ensure that no unwanted intrusions occur would be another unacceptable expense.