Top Ten Chat Topics for 2003

Chatmag's list of the top ten chat topics for 2003 and year in review.

(PRWEB) December 14, 2003 --Well above any other chat topic, the war in Iraq remains solidly the number one chat topic for the year. During the months of April and May, the war was being discussed in the vast majority of chat rooms and discussion boards.

Internet chat also played several roles within the Armed Forces. The Detroit Free Press featured an exclusive article profiling a U.S. Marine Lieutenant who's duty consisted of surfing chat rooms and engaging in conversations with chatters. "Commanders told him to get on the Internet and give them a chance to communicate with the armed forces." (1)

Secure chat rooms are also one of the major communications tools used by all U.S. Armed Forces, enabling them to keep in touch between the front lines and headquarters. U.S. Navy ships use chat for internal communications, edging out the old standby ships telephone systems. (2)

In Internet chat news for the year, the single largest story was the closing of chat rooms on 28 of MSN's International sites. From Instant Messaging Planet- "Chat areas in the U.S., Japan and Canada will continue to remain open, however, but only to users who agree to pay a monthly subscription fee." (3)

The upcoming U.S. Presidential race has chat rooms buzzing with activity, more so than in past elections, and Politics ranks as the second of our top ten. With the election moving into cyberspace, the clear forerunner is Howard Dean, the "wired" candidate. (4)

Rounding out our top ten topics for 2003 are:

Personal relationships
African American
Health
Sports
School Alumni
Depression
(the number one health topic of the year)
Lord of The Rings
Computer user assistance

Internet chat remains as the third leading use of The Internet, behind email and web surfing, and is moving into new territory as a business tool, facilitating online customer support. There is an increase in online retailers integrating both online chat and messenger services into their sites. Financial and investor related chat rooms are also gaining popularity, and will continue to do so.

The outlook for Internet chat into 2004 is that chat and message boards will remain popular and become more focused as people seek chat rooms on their favorite subjects.

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(1) Detroit Free Press. Laptop is a weapon in this war of words.
http://www.freep.com/news/portraitsofwar/rushing.htm

(2) Federal Computer Week. DOD chat use exploded in Iraq.
http://www.fcw.com/fcw/articles/2003/0623/web-panel-06-23-03.asp

(3) Instant Messaging Planet. MSN Rethinks Chat Rooms, Promotes IM Instead.
http://www.instantmessagingplanet.com/public/article.php/3084311
    

(4) Pittsburgh Post Gazette. A wired Dean is altering conduct of politics.
http://www.post-gazette.com/election/20031116deannet1116p2.asp

By the Editors of Chatmag.com
10 December 2003