Send self-destructing IMs

I've always been uneasy about sending instant messages from any computer that's not my own. I remember being horrified when I first learned all my IM conversations were being archived in my computer, but I eventually used that knowledge to my advantage. After all, no one can argue about what is said in an IM conversation.

As Dory noted in one of her posts, IMs don't disappear, and for the most part we all have to be careful about what we say over email or IM, especially at work. The good news is there are services out there that allow people to send both self-destructing emails and IMs. I told you about the self-destructing email services before, and Bigstring, one of the companies mentioned in the article, is now also offering a self-destructing instant messaging service.

I spotted Bigstring at the Web 2.0 Expo in San Francisco this past week, and a representative there told me they just launched this new web based service last week. Once you sign up for an account, you can send other Bigstring users IMs or pictures that will literally self-destruct right before their eyes. These IMs can not be copied, logged, or screen-printed, and the company says once the message disappears from the screen, it is gone forever. Copies of the message are not saved on any server.

Features on this IM client are very minimal. You can choose how long you want your message to be displayed on the screen, you can set your online status, and you can turn off sounds. It's web-based, which means you don't have to install anything on your computer, but you can download a plug-in to your AIM account. The rep also told me this service will eventually work with other IM clients, and may someday be available for mobile phone users.

How to Send Self-Destructing Emails
Resurfacing Instant Messages: Part Two
IMs Don't Disappear in an Instant