Most people get hooked up with IM software via friends who've just acquired it. Most new users get an option of sending out invitations for others to join, and this means that one fine day you'll find a "Johnny Invites You to Join his IM Network!" message in your inbox. This should contain a link that takes you directly to a site where you can download the software. If you don't receive any such cordial invitation, just visit your service provider's website and check out the instant messaging options. While the service is free, you will generally be required to register in order to outfit yourself with a user name and password.

So now you've got your IM account -- but have you paused to think how this will affect your electronic exchanges with all and sundry? The demands made on someone who must come up with witty rejoinders INSTANTLY are -- well, demanding. Are you cool enough behind a keyboard to handle the assault of real-time communication? Instant messaging is the fastest thing since motorized scooters, but are most people ready for its speed?

Evidently, the answer to that question is Yes. America Online's Instant Messenger boasts 59 million users. They may not all be as articulate as Shakespeare and as fast as a Times columnist, but they obviously enjoy exchanging messages back and forth without delay.

It's good news, then, that there's an organization out there that is working on getting all IM programs inter-compatible. The Internet Engineering Task Force is developing a set of protocol standards that will allow users to communicate instantly, without having to share the same brand of IM software. This will inevitably result in an even larger pool of strangers with whom it will be possible to correspond instantly. Better sharpen those pencils, kids! It's going to be a speedy ride.