Editing Social software (section)

=== Instant messaging ===
{{main|Instant messaging}}
An ''[[instant messaging]]'' application or [[client (computing)|client]] allows one to communicate with another person over a network in real time, in relative privacy. One can add friends to a contact or buddy list by entering the person's email address or messenger ID. If the person is online, their name will typically be listed as available for chat. Clicking on their name will activate a chat window with space to write to the other person, as well as read their reply.