Comments on: Instant Messaging: Risky To Productivity

By: Milo Riano

Milo Riano — Tue, 07 Feb 2006 18:31:04 +0000

IM has helped me progress. — http://miloriano.com/02-08-200.....ctive.page

By: Amit

Amit — Thu, 22 Dec 2005 18:51:04 +0000

I used to have problems with this a few years back as a first year college student. Clearly removing the distraction that is IM isn’t the solution. So you have to learn to manage it. I sometimes use the 10+2 hack where that 2 min is used for IM. Either that or I make sure all my studying is done before I jump onto IM. I’m a college student after all, where distractions exist all around me. Worst comes to worst, I study elsewhere.

By: Fernando

Fernando — Tue, 13 Dec 2005 15:10:32 +0000

The problem I had with IM was exactly that one. I was constantly getting interrupted, even when using a “AWAY” status, in iChat / AIM. People seem to ignore that, and it gets me really mad. So I took your advice and shut it down for 3 days. It was probably one of the best things I ever did.

The big issue is that as an icon designer I work with developers all the time, and they keep sending me new software versions like every 30 minutes, and between sending one or other file, they explain me what icons or graphics they would like. So while I’m available strictly for clients, I have to be to everyone else too :-/

By: Garrett

Garrett — Wed, 07 Dec 2005 15:02:22 +0000

My solution for this problem lately has been meebo.com. It keeps your whole IM session (or sessions) in a browser window and is minimally interruptive. Whenever I get a free moment, I can click over and check on my IM windows...

By: Brad Isaac

Brad Isaac — Tue, 22 Nov 2005 21:28:13 +0000

I tell every person I who is on my IM list that there WILL be certain times when they message me and I won’t answer. These times are times when I am at the computer and a client is in the office too, when I’ve just stepped away or when I am deep in work and can’t get to the message.

Everybody seems fine with it that way, at least nobody has complained.

I think it’s easier to ignore the blinking IM symbol when you know the other person understands your policy.

By: Joe

Joe — Mon, 21 Nov 2005 13:08:51 +0000

I used to work for a very large and well known software firm where Yahoo! IM was actually the PREFERRED communication tool of choice for internal communication. The phone was a close second, and actually getting up and walking over to someone’s desk a distant third.

In fact, on my very first day on the job, my new manager told me to make sure I have a Yahoo! account, because that is how “we all talk around here.”

I found that to be odd, but I must say that the messaging software was used for both business/productivity purposes as well as leisure.

By: MW

MW — Sat, 19 Nov 2005 14:59:25 +0000

Dave: I have a hard time imagining that working next to a blaring stereo is allowing anyone to work undistracted, regardless of IM software. Maybe it scares off unwelcome visitors? :)

However, it seems to me that it’s not as much the IM software in itself, as much as the habits we create around them that is the problem. Maybe an IM client with some kind of Inbox would be a solution, e-mail creates the same kind of distraction for those who react to it instantaneously.

Keith: Do you have any ideas on what requirements an IM client should have in order to be a useful tool without being destructive to productivity?

By: Ville

Ville — Sat, 19 Nov 2005 14:29:59 +0000

RSS readers and well.. porn can distract me quite a bit too. I try to use them only when i need ‘em.

By: Dave

Dave — Sat, 19 Nov 2005 09:57:26 +0000

I use trillian (a multi-messenger application), it’s usefull because it display all of the messages you’ve missed (the last 100 messages in total) and if you turn off the notifications (i generally can’t hear them over the blare of my stereo anyway) then you can continue with you work undistracted. And then afterwards, see what sladerous comments you have been receiving in the mean-time.

By: Britt Parrott

Britt Parrott — Fri, 18 Nov 2005 18:01:58 +0000

I’m trying to implement a policy for IM where I work (also an A/E firm) in order to clarify how it can be useful. IM was actually “banned” several years ago due to a harassment incident, and I’m trying to show how it can be useful in specific situations.