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Instant Messaging Goes Graphical
williampiv writes "For most of the millions of people around the world who regularly use instant messaging, the communications tool has largely been a text-only experience in which typed emoticons offer only minimal clues to someone's state of mind.
The recent launch of two services -- a brand new, fully three-dimensional chat-room product known as IMVU, and AOL Instant Messenger's new 3-D SuperBuddy icons -- is putting the spotlight on a major shift by the leading IM providers toward making graphical avatars a fundamental personalization feature."
A graphical, 3D chat environment? Oh, you mean Star Wars: Galaxies!
Is there a skin of someone who looks like me sitting at their computer in their underwear and sipping folgers? Perhaps with some 3D rendered clothes on the floor and a bowl of dried up ramen next to the keyboard?
"IMVU gives you the sense that you are in the presence of the person you are chatting with,"
Wow, that sucks. Now I'm not going to put any family members in my buddy list.
With recently discovered security holes in JPEG imaging and perhaps other graphics libraries, graphical chat doesn't necessarily sound like a step forward ...
Crystal90210: OMG!!!1 dont chat with CuteA0Lb0y!!!!1
my sister did and now she's pwned!!!!1
FLAgrrl: LOL!!!!1
should include more animation.
/goatse.cx command and your avatar ... er, won't go there.
Nothing funnier than having your friend make fun of you and you execute the
I am
Haha. Just set it to "apathetic/depressed" and leave it there, like everyone else on IRC.