Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention address deficiencies of the art in respect to instant messaging and persistent chats and provide a method, system and computer program product for controlling active and passive participation among participants in a thread of conversation in an instant messaging session or persistent chat. In one embodiment of the invention, a method for controlling active and passive participation among participants in a thread of conversation can be provided. The method can include creating a thread of conversation in a messaging system, adding participants to the thread, classifying the participants as one of either active or passive, and permitting only those participants classified as active participants to post to the thread while providing merely a view of the thread to the passive participants.

Abstract: A method of operating an instant messaging application comprises running an instant messaging dialogue session across a plurality of participant devices. When a user wishes to postpone the session, the application receives a postponement signal from a participant device, determines a future restart time and future participant devices, terminates the current instant messaging dialogue session, and initiates a new instant messaging dialogue session at the restart time for the future participant devices.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention address deficiencies of the art in respect to instant messaging and persistent chats and provide a method, system and computer program product for controlling active and passive participation among participants in a thread of conversation in an instant messaging session or persistent chat. In one embodiment of the invention, a method for controlling active and passive participation among participants in a thread of conversation can be provided. The method can include creating a thread of conversation in a messaging system, adding participants to the thread, classifying the participants as one of either active or passive, and permitting only those participants classified as active participants to post to the thread while providing merely a view of the thread to the passive participants.

Abstract: A system and method for preempting a user's activity state in instant messaging (IM). The system includes a server node configured to administer an IM application. At least one client node is operably associated via a network to the server node. The at least one client node is configured to receive and transmit instant messages via the IM application. The client node permits a user to do at least one of, (i) enable a user about to go offline alert signal or (ii) disable a previously set user about to go offline alert signal.

Abstract: A method for distributing information to an invitee of an instant messaging (IM) meeting prior to acceptance of the meeting. The method includes initiating an instant message (IM) meeting via a moderator. The next step includes sending an invitation to an invitee to join the meeting. The invitation includes the following forms of information chosen to be displayed by the moderator, (i) the participants' names, (ii) the length of time of the chat, (iii) the chat history, and (iiii) whether the meeting is in lock-down mode. The method concludes with displaying a menu having check boxes to the invitee. The check boxes allow the invitee to request additional information about the IM meeting.

Abstract: A method of operating an instant messaging application comprises running an instant messaging dialogue session across a plurality of participant devices. When a user wishes to postpone the session, the application receives a postponement signal from a participant device, determines a future restart time and future participant devices, terminates the current instant messaging dialogue session, and initiates a new instant messaging dialogue session at the restart time for the future participant devices.