Frankly, I detest IM even if it has been scheduled in advance. There's rarely anything there that couldn't be done in email, and offering real amounts of space means that email is generally better thought out.
There's a reason that IRC generates conversations that are only useful to mock, and a good portion of that has to do with the form and limitations of the medium.
What I detest most is the unsolicited interruption. If it's scheduled, I can plan to talk then, and it doesn't bother me as much.
However, I agree that in most cases, the same thing can be accomplished via email. I do find it useful during one on one phone conversations to be able to post snippets. And sometimes real-time banter is fun.
I had to eventually create one with only Jim as my only contact (because we do communicate via IM when he's at work) because somehow just being online means everyone is free to talk to you. I had to turn gmail's off, too, since it defaults as letting everyone know you are actively online.
Sorry, but I've yet to become social enough that I want being at home online to equate to me being in fucking public (in terms of people's ability to see me and come on over saying hello).
Er, sorry, went a bit ranty there.
Maybe it's not IM I hate, it's just people who feel the need to interrupt your day with stupid shit.
hahaha, I meant stupid shit like "oh, just ate too much lunch, now my stomach hurts".. Or, "man does my boss suck". Or "I'm so bored. this is the longest day ever!" If that's the sort of stupid shit you welcome, I've got some 'buddies' I can send you. :)
Mostly I rely on husband (previously mentioned Jim, who I *do* keep as a buddy) to find me stupid shit of *interest*, because him sending me links is probably 60% of the IM'ing we do all day.
That's why I stay invisible on Yahoo most of the time. Many of my friends who use that service stay invisible as well. That way if I am in the mood, I can give 'em a shout, and if *they're* in the mood they can answer-- or not.
When I'm visible I tend to get bombarded by everybody at once, and even if I am in a chatty mood it's just too hard to keep up.
I rarely have time to dedicate to writing emails, but find it very easy to manage time to have a good social conversion, make a business decision, or resolve a client problem over IM.
I hate worse the email I know is going to take me an hour of writing to respond to.
But, could it be you have too many people on your IM? I block all, it's very hard to get on my IM list. A few friends, family, coworkers and a few clients. I'm also very direct to the point and anti-small talk (which some people may consider antisocial, I consider it a talent).
Or could be different computer habits? I'm online nine hours a day, a 5-10 minute distraction is welcome and needed, but an hour+ away from my programming work (to read/write emails) is unacceptable.
I do wish IM clients had better information management and features. More robust offline messaging, ability to tag subjects to conversations and view past conversations in more of an email client format (sortable/searchable grid), my list goes on and on... One day I'm going to write the ultimate IM client/network.
I don't talk to many people on IM, and have set my status invisible to certain individuals. There are definitely people I wouldn't want on my IM list, especially certain clients, as they would tend to interrupt my time too much. I don't want someone always knowing whether I'm at the computer or not.
At my "day job" we all use IM, which I thought was annoying at first. It can be annoying due to the interruptions, but I actually like it for two reasons: 1. It allows me to stay in my office and not have to go to meetings (which I personally would find much more annoying). 2. I've found I also have interesting conversations with at least one person in the office, conversations I wouldn't have engaged in face-to-face, and which help to pass the time when I don't have much work to do. I think the trick with IM is to realize, like many of us in our office do, that just because you send someone and instant message you shouldn't necessarily expect an instant reply. Also, to respect a "busy" status and not bombard the person with messages.
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archerships
no subject
Date: 2007-03-30 10:13 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-03-30 10:18 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-03-30 10:26 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-03-30 10:44 pm (UTC)Hmmmm...ogres.
Why qualify it?
Date: 2007-03-30 10:56 pm (UTC)There's a reason that IRC generates conversations that are only useful to mock, and a good portion of that has to do with the form and limitations of the medium.
Re: Why qualify it?
Date: 2007-03-31 02:26 am (UTC)However, I agree that in most cases, the same thing can be accomplished via email. I do find it useful during one on one phone conversations to be able to post snippets. And sometimes real-time banter is fun.
no subject
Date: 2007-03-31 12:10 am (UTC)I had to eventually create one with only Jim as my only contact (because we do communicate via IM when he's at work) because somehow just being online means everyone is free to talk to you. I had to turn gmail's off, too, since it defaults as letting everyone know you are actively online.
Sorry, but I've yet to become social enough that I want being at home online to equate to me being in fucking public (in terms of people's ability to see me and come on over saying hello).
Er, sorry, went a bit ranty there.
Maybe it's not IM I hate, it's just people who feel the need to interrupt your day with stupid shit.
no subject
Date: 2007-03-31 12:33 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-03-31 12:41 am (UTC)Mostly I rely on husband (previously mentioned Jim, who I *do* keep as a buddy) to find me stupid shit of *interest*, because him sending me links is probably 60% of the IM'ing we do all day.
no subject
Date: 2007-03-31 12:26 am (UTC)When I'm visible I tend to get bombarded by everybody at once, and even if I am in a chatty mood it's just too hard to keep up.
no subject
Date: 2007-03-31 06:56 am (UTC)I rarely have time to dedicate to writing emails, but find it very easy to manage time to have a good social conversion, make a business decision, or resolve a client problem over IM.
I hate worse the email I know is going to take me an hour of writing to respond to.
But, could it be you have too many people on your IM? I block all, it's very hard to get on my IM list. A few friends, family, coworkers and a few clients. I'm also very direct to the point and anti-small talk (which some people may consider antisocial, I consider it a talent).
Or could be different computer habits? I'm online nine hours a day, a 5-10 minute distraction is welcome and needed, but an hour+ away from my programming work (to read/write emails) is unacceptable.
I do wish IM clients had better information management and features. More robust offline messaging, ability to tag subjects to conversations and view past conversations in more of an email client format (sortable/searchable grid), my list goes on and on... One day I'm going to write the ultimate IM client/network.
i'm with you
Date: 2007-03-31 08:22 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-03-31 12:05 pm (UTC)At my "day job" we all use IM, which I thought was annoying at first. It can be annoying due to the interruptions, but I actually like it for two reasons: 1. It allows me to stay in my office and not have to go to meetings (which I personally would find much more annoying). 2. I've found I also have interesting conversations with at least one person in the office, conversations I wouldn't have engaged in face-to-face, and which help to pass the time when I don't have much work to do. I think the trick with IM is to realize, like many of us in our office do, that just because you send someone and instant message you shouldn't necessarily expect an instant reply. Also, to respect a "busy" status and not bombard the person with messages.