A Tobit Model on Message Transfer and Control in Instant Message Systems

Instant message system (IMS) is becoming increasingly an important means of communication except for traditional mass media. Based on the discussions about the characteristics of IMS message transfer, this paper firstly analyzed the specific characteristics different from traditional tools of communication and puts forward the principles of IMS message transfer. We also analyzed the characters of users in IMS virtual communities, and pointed out how these characters influencing the message transfer and how to control the message transfer correspondingly. We set up a Tobit model of IMS message transfer which includes five factors that may influence the transfer process. Through analyzing the sensitive factors of IMS message transfer, we demonstrate that there are two typical factors influencing IMS message transfer, which are whether a user is "active type" and the relationship types of IMS users. Finally, we proposed some necessary guidelines for enhancing the security of the IMS message transfer.