April 2, 2003
A: FROM MENTOR JUDY MOORE IN NM
This web site is the coolest place to learn about this kind of technology:

http://computer.howstuffworks.com/instant-messaging.htm

This entire site, called How Stuff Works, is an excellent resource!!!
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A: FROM MENTOR JOAN LUSK IN RI

I remember that question going unanswered for a long time! It proves that we're all using technology that we don't understand well enough to dare to try to explain it. But here goes! Here are a couple of sites that turn up in response to the question "How does email work?" put to Ask Jeeves (ask.com): http://www.learnthenet.com/english/html/20how.htm
http://www.library.yale.edu/~lso/workstation/docs/email_class/email_work.htm
I tried the same with "How does instant messaging work?" and don't think the answers that came up really answer your question - but you might try it and see.