Comments on: Open Thread: IM, what is it good for? http://webworkerdaily.com/2006/10/06/open-threat-im-what-is-it-good-for/ Rebooting the workforce Wed, 25 Nov 2009 23:43:39 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: ALD http://webworkerdaily.com/2006/10/06/open-threat-im-what-is-it-good-for/#comment-290973 ALD Wed, 09 Apr 2008 20:50:07 +0000 http://webworkerdaily.com/2006/10/06/open-threat-im-what-is-it-good-for/#comment-290973 Judi - I had our tech look at it and he couldn't figure it out. Several people in my office recently started having the same problem out of the blue. He said my settings were set correctly. He is very good at his job. I'm at a loss. Judi – I had our tech look at it and he couldn’t figure it out. Several people in my office recently started having the same problem out of the blue. He said my settings were set correctly. He is very good at his job. I’m at a loss.

]]> By: Judi Sohn http://webworkerdaily.com/2006/10/06/open-threat-im-what-is-it-good-for/#comment-290936 Judi Sohn Wed, 09 Apr 2008 14:20:26 +0000 http://webworkerdaily.com/2006/10/06/open-threat-im-what-is-it-good-for/#comment-290936 ALD, it depends on the IM application. Each application has its own preferences for notifications and settings for how intrusive they are. For example, I use Adium and have it set to only show an indicator in the menu bar. That way it doesn't pop up in front of what I'm doing. ALD, it depends on the IM application. Each application has its own preferences for notifications and settings for how intrusive they are. For example, I use Adium and have it set to only show an indicator in the menu bar. That way it doesn’t pop up in front of what I’m doing.

]]> By: ALD http://webworkerdaily.com/2006/10/06/open-threat-im-what-is-it-good-for/#comment-290935 ALD Wed, 09 Apr 2008 14:10:56 +0000 http://webworkerdaily.com/2006/10/06/open-threat-im-what-is-it-good-for/#comment-290935 This may be a little off subject, but I too am annoyed by constant inconsiderate interruptions. However it is in a different way. When I get an IM the entire message pops up and opens OVER whatever I am working in and it interrupts my input or typing. I used to get just an orange flashing bar at the bottom of the screen. Not sure what changed. Does anyone have any ideas? I've tried it all, it seems like. This may be a little off subject, but I too am annoyed by constant inconsiderate interruptions. However it is in a different way. When I get an IM the entire message pops up and opens OVER whatever I am working in and it interrupts my input or typing. I used to get just an orange flashing bar at the bottom of the screen. Not sure what changed. Does anyone have any ideas? I’ve tried it all, it seems like.

]]> By: Phil Blancett http://webworkerdaily.com/2006/10/06/open-threat-im-what-is-it-good-for/#comment-97486 Phil Blancett Sat, 23 Jun 2007 13:41:14 +0000 http://webworkerdaily.com/2006/10/06/open-threat-im-what-is-it-good-for/#comment-97486 I'm very careful with all IM programs and use a VPN connection ( http://www.strongvpn.com ) while connected. Too many worms and other bad deals with ICQ, MSN and others. The only one I trust off the VPN is Skype. Skype is much better in group chat mode then a campfire session, and its free. In addition if you use Pamela you can auto reply any message. Also there's DND status of course. There's no reason to go offline with a program that won't make a sound when you are in DND and history is saved as well. It's a invaluable business tool. I’m very careful with all IM programs and use a VPN connection ( http://www.strongvpn.com ) while connected. Too many worms and other bad deals with ICQ, MSN and others. The only one I trust off the VPN is Skype. Skype is much better in group chat mode then a campfire session, and its free. In addition if you use Pamela you can auto reply any message. Also there’s DND status of course. There’s no reason to go offline with a program that won’t make a sound when you are in DND and history is saved as well. It’s a invaluable business tool.

]]> By: auto air filters http://webworkerdaily.com/2006/10/06/open-threat-im-what-is-it-good-for/#comment-42180 auto air filters Mon, 16 Apr 2007 08:35:13 +0000 http://webworkerdaily.com/2006/10/06/open-threat-im-what-is-it-good-for/#comment-42180 <strong>auto air filters</strong> SEO is marketing by understanding how search algorithms work and auto air filters

SEO is marketing by understanding how search algorithms work and

]]> By: Chuck http://webworkerdaily.com/2006/10/06/open-threat-im-what-is-it-good-for/#comment-1165 Chuck Tue, 31 Oct 2006 17:37:55 +0000 http://webworkerdaily.com/2006/10/06/open-threat-im-what-is-it-good-for/#comment-1165 My brother and I use automated scripts to update our IM status every minute. Currently it displays the app and document name (ex: Word: Project Proposal). This way we can see what the other is working on, and decide to interrupt or not. If my brother's status is "FireFox: Slashdot", I know he's taking a break and can chat freely. Obviously, for privacy reasons, this is only appropriate for a closed group of contacts. However, a similar system could be used for public IM accounts to set generic status messages based on the app/docs currently in use ("busy on project", "on skype phone", "checking email", etc). My brother and I use automated scripts to update our IM status every minute. Currently it displays the app and document name (ex: Word: Project Proposal). This way we can see what the other is working on, and decide to interrupt or not. If my brother’s status is “FireFox: Slashdot”, I know he’s taking a break and can chat freely.

Obviously, for privacy reasons, this is only appropriate for a closed group of contacts. However, a similar system could be used for public IM accounts to set generic status messages based on the app/docs currently in use (“busy on project”, “on skype phone”, “checking email”, etc).

]]> By: Office 2.0 Podcast Jam » Ken Camp: Unified Communications and Presence http://webworkerdaily.com/2006/10/06/open-threat-im-what-is-it-good-for/#comment-760 Office 2.0 Podcast Jam » Ken Camp: Unified Communications and Presence Tue, 10 Oct 2006 16:47:23 +0000 http://webworkerdaily.com/2006/10/06/open-threat-im-what-is-it-good-for/#comment-760 [...] Presence and unified communications can get oppressive sometimes. How do you manage and control your presence and availability for communicating online? [...] [...] Presence and unified communications can get oppressive sometimes. How do you manage and control your presence and availability for communicating online? [...]

]]> By: Khalid http://webworkerdaily.com/2006/10/06/open-threat-im-what-is-it-good-for/#comment-742 Khalid Mon, 09 Oct 2006 23:52:20 +0000 http://webworkerdaily.com/2006/10/06/open-threat-im-what-is-it-good-for/#comment-742 We use hosted group chat at: www.campfirenow.com, one of the best tools I have used in a long time. It archives all the chats, lets you share files and when I don't want to be bothered by it I just dock the window. Way less intrusive than IM. We use hosted group chat at: http://www.campfirenow.com, one of the best tools I have used in a long time. It archives all the chats, lets you share files and when I don’t want to be bothered by it I just dock the window. Way less intrusive than IM.

]]> By: tdhedengren.com http://webworkerdaily.com/2006/10/06/open-threat-im-what-is-it-good-for/#comment-672 tdhedengren.com Sun, 08 Oct 2006 15:53:52 +0000 http://webworkerdaily.com/2006/10/06/open-threat-im-what-is-it-good-for/#comment-672 <strong>Handling the big time thieves in your work</strong> Three services really suck the juice out of my efficiency at work. I probably should turn them off, or perhaps really dictate the usage time, but since I work online I tend to need them every now and then. Instant messaging, IM for short is time thief ... Handling the big time thieves in your work

Three services really suck the juice out of my efficiency at work. I probably should turn them off, or perhaps really dictate the usage time, but since I work online I tend to need them every now and then.
Instant messaging, IM for short is time thief …

]]> By: CHRIS http://webworkerdaily.com/2006/10/06/open-threat-im-what-is-it-good-for/#comment-667 CHRIS Sat, 07 Oct 2006 20:20:05 +0000 http://webworkerdaily.com/2006/10/06/open-threat-im-what-is-it-good-for/#comment-667 I used to get people trying to talk to me at inopportune times of the day, but I've found a system that works pretty well and keeps me productive when I need to be. What I do is use GTalk as a universal client (I'll go into more detail on how in a bit) to talk to people on AIM and MSN Messenger (my contacts in the US use AIM, my contacts in Europe generally use MSN Messenger). However, I didn't add everyone from my contact lists to GTalk. Instead, I only added people I would need to talk to for work, and if someone talks to me about something non-work related and I don't have time, I simply tell them so! I have enough things on my mind to have to remember to change my status every time I'm doing something new. Now if I actually want to talk to my friends or family, I can log onto AIM or MSN Messenger or Skype and do so - the advantage is *I* choose when. So, if you're interested in turning GTalk into a universal client, check out this site: http://www.bigblueball.com/forums/google-talk-news/33739-connect-google-talk-aim-msn-yahoo.html I used to get people trying to talk to me at inopportune times of the day, but I’ve found a system that works pretty well and keeps me productive when I need to be. What I do is use GTalk as a universal client (I’ll go into more detail on how in a bit) to talk to people on AIM and MSN Messenger (my contacts in the US use AIM, my contacts in Europe generally use MSN Messenger). However, I didn’t add everyone from my contact lists to GTalk. Instead, I only added people I would need to talk to for work, and if someone talks to me about something non-work related and I don’t have time, I simply tell them so! I have enough things on my mind to have to remember to change my status every time I’m doing something new. Now if I actually want to talk to my friends or family, I can log onto AIM or MSN Messenger or Skype and do so – the advantage is *I* choose when. So, if you’re interested in turning GTalk into a universal client, check out this site:

http://www.bigblueball.com/forums/google-talk-news/33739-connect-google-talk-aim-msn-yahoo.html

]]> By: LivNLet http://webworkerdaily.com/2006/10/06/open-threat-im-what-is-it-good-for/#comment-666 LivNLet Sat, 07 Oct 2006 18:28:55 +0000 http://webworkerdaily.com/2006/10/06/open-threat-im-what-is-it-good-for/#comment-666 Right now I'm freelancing in house (design/code) for the next two months and I've discovered because I don't have either a company telephone or a real email I've been doing some of the best work I've done in a very long time. I arrive in the morning, jump into the Mac/CS2, crank up my favorite Internet radio station and just powertool into a deep trance of concentration. Around 11:30 or so I emerge, take a breath of air and check my emails before grabbing a quick bite to eat and starting the process over again. IM is great but just like any other tool it can be over used. At a previous job I couldn't concentrate because of it and emails and people coming to see me. It got so bad I had to make a new rule that I called "Primetime!", where if my IM read "I'm in Primetime!" and my Primetime! sign was up on my door, it meant that you could not talk to me. It was pretty rediculous because of course there were those that thought they were special and would ignore the rule. I ended up working a lot of evenings as well, just to keep up. Point is, because of the type of work we designers and developers do, we need to have ample periods in the day to remain 100% focused on the task at hand (I'm preaching to the choir here). When the marketing people show up I feel like locking them all in a closet together (where, ultimately they will have a meeting on new brand strategies and cheer each other over and over, causing us to sound proof the closet). Gotta love 'em! Right now I’m freelancing in house (design/code) for the next two months and I’ve discovered because I don’t have either a company telephone or a real email I’ve been doing some of the best work I’ve done in a very long time. I arrive in the morning, jump into the Mac/CS2, crank up my favorite Internet radio station and just powertool into a deep trance of concentration. Around 11:30 or so I emerge, take a breath of air and check my emails before grabbing a quick bite to eat and starting the process over again.

IM is great but just like any other tool it can be over used. At a previous job I couldn’t concentrate because of it and emails and people coming to see me. It got so bad I had to make a new rule that I called “Primetime!”, where if my IM read “I’m in Primetime!” and my Primetime! sign was up on my door, it meant that you could not talk to me. It was pretty rediculous because of course there were those that thought they were special and would ignore the rule. I ended up working a lot of evenings as well, just to keep up.

Point is, because of the type of work we designers and developers do, we need to have ample periods in the day to remain 100% focused on the task at hand (I’m preaching to the choir here). When the marketing people show up I feel like locking them all in a closet together (where, ultimately they will have a meeting on new brand strategies and cheer each other over and over, causing us to sound proof the closet). Gotta love ‘em!

]]> By: Mel http://webworkerdaily.com/2006/10/06/open-threat-im-what-is-it-good-for/#comment-665 Mel Sat, 07 Oct 2006 15:44:33 +0000 http://webworkerdaily.com/2006/10/06/open-threat-im-what-is-it-good-for/#comment-665 I use IRC, too. If there is an emergency, I normally get a call on my cellphone and then I set up a channel for me and that client. This way I only get interrupted when it is absolutely necessary. I don't like IM programs. They disrupt my work too much, and I get irritated a LOT by that. I check my mail five times a day. This is enough to make my clients happy. I didn't get any complaints about being not reachable yet. I use IRC, too. If there is an emergency, I normally get a call on my cellphone and then I set up a channel for me and that client.

This way I only get interrupted when it is absolutely necessary. I don’t like IM programs. They disrupt my work too much, and I get irritated a LOT by that.

I check my mail five times a day. This is enough to make my clients happy. I didn’t get any complaints about being not reachable yet.

]]> By: Dean Johnson http://webworkerdaily.com/2006/10/06/open-threat-im-what-is-it-good-for/#comment-660 Dean Johnson Sat, 07 Oct 2006 03:16:41 +0000 http://webworkerdaily.com/2006/10/06/open-threat-im-what-is-it-good-for/#comment-660 I have avoided IM like the plague. My first blush impression was that it was simply a chat mechanism for vacuous people. I now see that I wasn't entirely correct, but not terribly incorrect either. Instead of IM, I use IRC. Far less annoying and distracting. If I feel so inclined, I set up a channel for myself on a shared server and people come to me if they need something. Just the little extra effort of people getting an irc client and configuring it is enough to weed out most of the people that I don't want to talk to anyways. I have avoided IM like the plague. My first blush impression was that it was simply a chat mechanism for vacuous people. I now see that I wasn’t entirely correct, but not terribly incorrect either. Instead of IM, I use IRC. Far less annoying and distracting. If I feel so inclined, I set up a channel for myself on a shared server and people come to me if they need something. Just the little extra effort of people getting an irc client and configuring it is enough to weed out most of the people that I don’t want to talk to anyways.

]]> By: Legal Andrew » Instant Messaging in the Law Office http://webworkerdaily.com/2006/10/06/open-threat-im-what-is-it-good-for/#comment-656 Legal Andrew » Instant Messaging in the Law Office Sat, 07 Oct 2006 00:31:57 +0000 http://webworkerdaily.com/2006/10/06/open-threat-im-what-is-it-good-for/#comment-656 [...] First, Web Worker Daily has an open thread, trying to ascertain what IM is good for. I think the best comment from this thread is: I figure everyone should just learn to ask “do you have a moment?” before interrupting people. [...] [...] First, Web Worker Daily has an open thread, trying to ascertain what IM is good for. I think the best comment from this thread is: I figure everyone should just learn to ask “do you have a moment?” before interrupting people. [...]

]]> By: JPM http://webworkerdaily.com/2006/10/06/open-threat-im-what-is-it-good-for/#comment-655 JPM Fri, 06 Oct 2006 23:30:55 +0000 http://webworkerdaily.com/2006/10/06/open-threat-im-what-is-it-good-for/#comment-655 I think the actual scenario here is that IM is useful in certain situations and not in others. I tend to find myself turning on IM when it's the fastest way to get the information I need. Sometimes I don't need synchronous communication and then Email or SMS is better or even telephone. What IS need is a unified message mailbox that I can also access with my BlackBerry. This magic mail box where I can then use filters and rules to create subfolders and alerts based on the inbound messages I receive. If anyone wants to create this I will help you get investors. Thanks. I think the actual scenario here is that IM is useful in certain situations and not in others. I tend to find myself turning on IM when it’s the fastest way to get the information I need. Sometimes I don’t need synchronous communication and then Email or SMS is better or even telephone.

What IS need is a unified message mailbox that I can also access with my BlackBerry. This magic mail box where I can then use filters and rules to create subfolders and alerts based on the inbound messages I receive.

If anyone wants to create this I will help you get investors.

Thanks.

]]> By: Bill Day http://webworkerdaily.com/2006/10/06/open-threat-im-what-is-it-good-for/#comment-654 Bill Day Fri, 06 Oct 2006 22:56:56 +0000 http://webworkerdaily.com/2006/10/06/open-threat-im-what-is-it-good-for/#comment-654 For whatever reason (maybe age), most of my contacts use IM lightly and phone more heavily. Since we're all mobile/remote from one another, it's mostly cell phone. And since that is perceived as "costing" something for use (bucket of minutes or not), it tends to be sorta self regulating. Email, however, is another story. I have to set certain times in my workday where I work on email, and others where I don't. I manage this by telling clients and colleauges to email me for usual stuff, mobile phone for anything that requires an urgent reply. It's always fun finding a balance, isn't it? For whatever reason (maybe age), most of my contacts use IM lightly
and phone more heavily. Since we’re all mobile/remote from one another,
it’s mostly cell phone. And since that is perceived as “costing” something
for use (bucket of minutes or not), it tends to be sorta self regulating.

Email, however, is another story. I have to set certain times in my workday
where I work on email, and others where I don’t. I manage this by telling
clients and colleauges to email me for usual stuff, mobile phone for anything
that requires an urgent reply.

It’s always fun finding a balance, isn’t it?

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