Abstract: Functionality is described for allowing a first user to select a sound item. The first user can use a first device to send this sound item to a second device operated by a second user. Upon the occurrence of a triggering event, the sound item selected by the first user can be presented by the second device to the second user. The first device and the second device may correspond to two devices in an Instant Messaging (IM) system. According to another illustrative aspect, functionality is described that allows the first user to select the new sound item from a source sound item by adjusting the position and/or size (e.g., width) of a graphical selection unit that is presented over a graphical depiction of the source sound item.

Abstract: Content sharing and instant messaging are described. In an implementation, a first user interface is displayed at a first client that is configured to provide instant messaging with a second client having a second user interface. One or more content items are output in the first user interface to be controllable via both the first user interface and the second user interface.

Abstract: Functionality is described for allowing a first user to select a sound item. The first user can use a first device to send this sound item to a second device operated by a second user. Upon the occurrence of a triggering event, the sound item selected by the first user can be presented by the second device to the second user. The first device and the second device may correspond to two devices in an Instant Messaging (IM) system. According to another illustrative aspect, functionality is described that allows the first user to select the new sound item from a source sound item by adjusting the position and/or size (e.g., width) of a graphical selection unit that is presented over a graphical depiction of the source sound item.

Abstract: Functionality is described for allowing a first user to select a sound item. The first user can use a first device to send this sound item to a second device operated by a second user. Upon the occurrence of a triggering event, the sound item selected by the first user can be presented by the second device to the second user. The first device and the second device may correspond to two devices in an Instant Messaging (IM) system. According to another illustrative aspect, functionality is described that allows the first user to select the new sound item from a source sound item by adjusting the position and/or size (e.g., width) of a graphical selection unit that is presented over a graphical depiction of the source sound item.

Abstract: Various technologies pertaining to instant messaging are described herein. A persistent instant messaging group is created, wherein the persistent instant messaging group comprises a plurality of members and persists over a plurality of instant messaging sessions. Instances of an instant messaging application are installed on mobile telephones, and the instant messaging application is used to transmit instant messages between members of the persistent instant messaging group. Messages directed towards offline members of the persistent instant messaging group are transmitted to such members when they come online.

Abstract: Various technologies pertaining to instant messaging are described herein. A persistent instant messaging group is created, wherein the persistent instant messaging group comprises a plurality of members and persists over a plurality of instant messaging sessions. Instances of an instant messaging application are installed on mobile telephones, and the instant messaging application is used to transmit instant messages between members of the persistent instant messaging group. Messages directed towards offline members of the persistent instant messaging group are transmitted to such members when they come online.

Abstract: Various technologies for sharing digital images within an instant messaging (IM) session between two users. In one implementation, a first user uploads a set of images to the second user. The set of images may be displayed as thumbnails on the displays of both users. By clicking on one of the thumbnails, either user may make the associated image appear as a larger image on both users' displays. In the event that both users click on different images simultaneously, or near-simultaneously, a protocol may be employed that selects which image is displayed.

Abstract: Various technologies pertaining to instant messaging are described herein. A persistent instant messaging group is created, wherein the persistent instant messaging group comprises a plurality of members and persists over a plurality of instant messaging sessions. Instances of an instant messaging application are installed on mobile telephones, and the instant messaging application is used to transmit instant messages between members of the persistent instant messaging group. Messages directed towards offline members of the persistent instant messaging group are transmitted to such members when they come online.

Abstract: A system described herein includes a receiver component that receives a request to create a persistent messaging group for an instant messaging application, wherein the request includes an indication of one or more entities that are desired to be members of the persistent messaging group. The system further includes a group creator component that creates the persistent messaging group based at least in part upon the received group creation request, wherein the persistent messaging group is persisted over multiple instant messaging sessions.

Abstract: A system described herein includes a receiver component that receives a request to create a persistent messaging group for an instant messaging application, wherein the request includes an indication of one or more entities that are desired to be members of the persistent messaging group. The system further includes a group creator component that creates the persistent messaging group based at least in part upon the received group creation request, wherein the persistent messaging group is persisted over multiple instant messaging sessions.

Abstract: A system described herein includes a receiver component that receives a request to create a persistent messaging group for an instant messaging application, wherein the request includes an indication of one or more entities that are desired to be members of the persistent messaging group. The system further includes a group creator component that creates the persistent messaging group based at least in part upon the received group creation request, wherein the persistent messaging group is persisted over multiple instant messaging sessions.

Abstract: A system described herein includes a receiver component that receives a request to create a persistent messaging group for an instant messaging application, wherein the request includes an indication of one or more entities that are desired to be members of the persistent messaging group. The system further includes a group creator component that creates the persistent messaging group based at least in part upon the received group creation request, wherein the persistent messaging group is persisted over multiple instant messaging sessions.

Abstract: Content sharing and instant messaging are described. In an implementation, a first user interface is displayed at a first client that is configured to provide instant messaging with a second client having a second user interface. One or more content items are output in the first user interface to be controllable via both the first user interface and the second user interface.

Abstract: Various technologies for sharing digital images within an instant messaging (IM) session between two users. In one implementation, a first user uploads a set of images to the second user. The set of images may be displayed as thumbnails on the displays of both users. By clicking on one of the thumbnails, either user may make the associated image appear as a larger image on both users' displays. In the event that both users click on different images simultaneously, or near-simultaneously, a protocol may be employed that selects which image is displayed.

Abstract: A relationship between participants in an on-line community, such as a social networking site or on-line marketplace, may be determined based on various facts. The nature of the relationship may be represented in a user interface (UI) by a visual element that shows the extent or depth of the relationship. Facets of the relationship may be used to facilitate interaction between participants (e.g., if two participants both like a particular band, then information relevant to the band may be shown as part of the UI when the participants interact with each other). The nature of the relationship may be determined or characterized based on commonality of activities, commonality of interests, the extent to which the participants have interacted with each other in the past, or other facts.

Abstract: Techniques described herein allow for displaying a real-time communication client associated with a first user, the real-time communication client configured to receive an input from the first user and send, in response, a digital note to a second user. The real-time communication client may be configured to send the digital note to a desktop of the second user, a calendar of the second user, a real-time communication client of the second user, and a profile of the second user, potentially among other locations. These tools may also display, on the real-time communication client, one or more digital notes that have been sent by one or more other users and received at the real-time communication client associated with the first user. These notes may be displayed individually or collectively in the form of a notebook.

Abstract: Functionality is described for allowing a first user to select a sound item. The first user can use a first device to send this sound item to a second device operated by a second user. Upon the occurrence of a triggering event, the sound item selected by the first user can be presented by the second device to the second user. The first device and the second device may correspond to two devices in an Instant Messaging (IM) system. According to another illustrative aspect, functionality is described that allows the first user to select the new sound item from a source sound item by adjusting the position and/or size (e.g., width) of a graphical selection unit that is presented over a graphical depiction of the source sound item.