Verizon | High Speed Internet - What is the difference between email and instant messaging?

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What is the difference between email and instant messaging? Email is like a virtual mailbox that you use to send and receive letters. Instant Messaging is similar to having a conversation with someone who is standing right in front of you.

Instant Messaging lets you maintain a list of people that you want to interact with. You can send messages to any of the people in your list, called a contact list or buddy list, as long as that person is online. When a message is sent or received, a small window opens that allows you and the other person to type messages that both of you can see.

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