We've recently started using it. Creates a slightly different dynamic than email, which is interesting. But also, related to the work from home discussion above, it gives you Big Brother-like powers to check up on people since it monitors your status (free, busy, away etc.) They may not be able to tell if I spend the whole day reading recaps on TWoP (not that that would ever happen), but you can see if it's been longer than five or ten minutes since you touched your computer.
You'll fight, and you'll shag, and you'll hate each other till it makes you quiver, but you'll never be friends.
Spike ,'Sleeper'
Natter 65: Speed Limit Enforced by Aircraft
Off-topic discussion. Wanna talk about corsets, pandas, duct tape, or physics? This is the place. Detailed discussion of any current-season TV must be whitefonted.
brenda m - Mar 18, 2010 7:22:33 am PDT #17087 of 30001
If you're going through hell/keep on going/don't slow down/keep your fear from showing/you might be gone/'fore the devil even knows you're there
msbelle - Mar 18, 2010 7:26:00 am PDT #17088 of 30001
I remember the crazy days. 500 posts an hour. Nubmer! Natgbsb
I HATE not having IM at work.
megan walker - Mar 18, 2010 7:29:50 am PDT #17089 of 30001
"What kind of magical sunshine and lollipop world do you live in? Because you need to be medicated."-SFist
What are the benefits of IM over email?
msbelle - Mar 18, 2010 7:30:41 am PDT #17090 of 30001
I remember the crazy days. 500 posts an hour. Nubmer! Natgbsb
It's usually much faster. for quick questions.
msbelle - Mar 18, 2010 7:31:04 am PDT #17091 of 30001
I remember the crazy days. 500 posts an hour. Nubmer! Natgbsb
also snide comments.
Sue - Mar 18, 2010 7:32:07 am PDT #17092 of 30001
hip deep in pie
and lunch plans
megan walker - Mar 18, 2010 7:33:37 am PDT #17093 of 30001
"What kind of magical sunshine and lollipop world do you live in? Because you need to be medicated."-SFist
We just use the subject line for that. Since it pops up on the screen when it's sent I guess it serves the same purpose. I guess I hate to think people that people would expect an even quicker response, when 99 times out of 100 stopping immediately to address things is remarkably inefficient.
Stephanie - Mar 18, 2010 7:35:44 am PDT #17094 of 30001
Trust my rage
Plus, I think because IM is more casual, and there's generally no record kept, it's better for asking stuff like "what's X's phone number" I hate sending email for that crap. But email is better for creating a record and covering your ass.
My brother uses IM at work a lot but he almost always has his status set to red (away, I guess), but he puts a message in there like "working on a project; email requests" so it looks like he's still present. I mean, I think he usually is there working on stuff. He just hates to be bothered when he's in the middle of stuff.
msbelle - Mar 18, 2010 7:38:56 am PDT #17095 of 30001
I remember the crazy days. 500 posts an hour. Nubmer! Natgbsb
Our email does not pop up on screen, so lots of email get ignored.
§ ita § - Mar 18, 2010 7:41:05 am PDT #17096 of 30001
Well not canonically, no, but this is transformative fiction.
IM's a good place to have fast conversations, and to nail someone down to answering you right away. Except the person I most need to talk to this morning has her "do not disturb" blinds up. Figures.
It's the same sort of "stopping immediately to address things" as the phone, except I get to keep a text record of it on my computer, and it's free.
Which has just reminded me, I just thought of another person who's ignored my most recent emails and I should try and IM stalk before calling.