Monday, October 06, 2008
How to Use IM Without Ruining Your Productivity «
WebWorkerDaily : "In a previous post about communication tools, WWD reader Melanie made an accurate observation that having an instant messaging client open while you’re working is like having the phone ring constantly. Despite this, IM is useful for instantaneous back-and-forth exchanges with clients."
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8 comments:
I used to be a master of IMing while doing work - but that was when all of my work was on the computer. Now I find it way more of a hindrance than anything else; my computer doesn't even fit on my desk while drafting.
I think in a lot of ways we need to discuss the etiquette and work ethic on today's modern "convienance." What's tough my generation is that we grew up with this technology and believe we can multitask using it. Which is not true, no matter how much you believe it is. The idea that we have the tv or AIM on when we work is almost counter-productive but it's difficult ot prove us otherwise. We might as well be an entire generation born with ADD. I'm even guilty of it myself and can honestly say that my return to AIM has been the result of an assignment or two being late. It's even become a personal goal to overcome this "ADD" by midsemester break. This article is a solid reply to today's problems, but I think it's such a personal battle that its not about the advice being given but the discipline it takes.
Personally i hate instant messengers but I've been finding them more and more useful in work situations. Which is killing me because there's that loss of face to face time that improves working relationships to more than being reduced to just another window on the screen.
I like this article a lot. The internet (and IM) is a very useful tool, the only problem is that people don't know how to use it effectively. I think that communication is vital to the work we do as artists and that IMing is an important tool to accomplish this.
All of this being said, it is important to realize that, like the author of the article said, you need to prioritize your time and set limits for both you and your clients so that you can focus when you need to get work done.
This seems like a good set of advice. I know I get distracted a lot with IM and email. If they did convince anybody to switch to pidgin, try out http://www.cypherpunks.ca/otr/ which is a nice encryption plugin so that your IM's are secure.
Also, as far as IMing goes, we have to remember that Facebook chat has also made it easy to communicate in several different ways at once. It is convenient and efficient but the quality of communication is cheap and one would be stupid to assume that IMing can breed a 'real' bond or relationship. IMing should be used as a tool of expedience.
I didn't realize that IM was being used so widely professionally, and I have to say that it is my least preferred mode of communication. Besides innately splitting your attention, it splits your bandwidth and I find this is more often why I get nothing done while on AIM.
I personally find IMing really distracting, especially during the work process. I believe that if you are working, work. If you are gossiping over the internet, gossip. But mixing the two is, for me, the ultimate taboo while doing homework. It is a distraction. Yes, I can admit that the expedience and efficiency of IMing can be a useful tool if used for the right reasons. However, mixing work and fun over the internet is difficult to say the least.
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