Abstract: Software for an instant messaging program displays a window in a graphical user interface (GUI). The window includes a first view listing a plurality of participants in an instant messaging conference, a second view allowing for entry and editing of an instant message, a first control for sending an instant message to all of the of participants, and a second control for sending a private instant message to less than all of the participants. The software receives an entry of an instant message in the first view. The software receives a selection of one or more but less than all participants through the second view. The software receives an input activating the second control. Then the software sends the instant message to the selected participants.