Instant change

Instantaneous exchanges of information. Facts and opinions spreading as fast as they can be typed. People connecting more efficiently and effectively than ever before.

I'm not pontificating on the 24-hour news cycle or the immense power of online media outlets - I'm talking about instant messaging.

As a child of the 90s and a teen of the 21st century, I watched my boom box turn into a Walkman... I still haven't gotten around to buying an iPod. My floppy disks have been traded for CDs and a memory stick. My VHS classics collect dust behind my DVDs and even my daily news lands in my electronic inbox instead of on my doorstep.

Change never bothered me, however, because it was minor and expected. In the words of my middle school physical science teacher, "change is the only thing that stays the same." It didn't even warrant any in-depth thought until I realized that sometimes, these changes aren't always so gradual.

Case in point: my mother, who just started a new job, now has her own AOL Instant Messenger screen name for use at work.

I just never saw it coming.

None of this is meant to imply that my mom lives in the past. She has a cell phone and text messages me regularly. She can check her e-mail and has most of the Microsoft Office basics down. Considering some of my friends' parents look at computers and see nothing more than typewriters strapped to televisions, I applaud her for her continued ability to stay in touch with modern technology.

IMing, however, is a trend of my age. What's next, a MySpace profile?

When I first found out, I was in denial. I thought it was a joke. I thought someone put her up to it. Stage one of the five stages of grief according to the popular model by Elizabeth K??bler-Ross. Not sure where to go with anger, bargaining or depression, I shortly skipped ahead to step five.

Acceptance.

Also, responsibility.

In much the same way my mother raised me to survive and thrive in her society, it is my duty to give her the same benefit. Thus, I will take her under my digital wing and teach her proper IM usage and etiquette. It's only fair.

I haven't quite worked out the lessons yet (suggestions are always welcome), but I have a few coming together. They include:

Have a screen name that isn't too complicated. Luckily, her work alias isn't bad. If someone's going to remember a series of random digits and letters, you might as well just give them your phone number.

Keep your font and colors clean and readable. Blue scribbles on dark blue text isn't cool, it's just annoying.

DON'T USE ALL CAPS... unless you have a point to make. It's paramount to yelling in a private conversation.

If you get up from your computer for more than a minute, put up an away message. If not for the general courtesy of letting people know what you are doing, at least don't leave them hanging.

forget basically everything u kno about spelling and punctuation b/c most ims are nothing more than long run-on sentences and poor abbreviations... brb means "be right back" and lol means "laugh out loud" - you'll get the rest as u go

In our first instant messenger conversation ever Tuesday afternoon my mom said to me, "so far so good. I am well on my way to becoming a flat out computer geek."

Her sentences were complete and her spelling dead on - she still has a lot to learn. I just hope when I'm an adult I'm as ready to keep adapting as she is.