Jabber Clients...

[Alma J Wetzker]

Net Llama! wrote:
> On Sun, 21 Mar 2004, Alma J Wetzker wrote:
> 
>>Net Llama! wrote:
>>
>>>On 03/21/04 19:38, Alma J Wetzker wrote:
>>>
>>>you're confusing IM with irc.
>>
>>That is the way my gaim client works and the way yahoo messenger works on
>>windows.  You type and when you hit enter, it blasts everything out to the room.
> 
> 
> What room?  IM is person to person communication.  If you're using a
> 'room' then its not really IM any more, its irc.

It works the same person to person or in a chat room.  Are you saying IM 
doesn't exist because it behaves like irc?

> 
>>>>I can't think of a business reason for IM to save my soul.  Most
>>>>executives can't spell and can afford cell phones.
>>>
>>>
>>>the business world is made up of alot more than just executives.
>>
>>Of course it is, I just believe that phone conferences are better.  I can't
>>think of a situation where communication can't be handled better by phone
>>and/or email.  The places where truly time critical communication occur
>>usually involve the executive band.
> 
> 
> Try tech support.  Or try any technical communication.  Like I said, the
> business world is made up of alot more than just executives.

I have done my share of tech support.  Little of it is so time critical that 
IM is the better option.  (I can't think of an instance.)  Phone contact is 
better for helping folks through system down situations (IM doesn't work). 
Email (with phone) is better in other situations because the recipient has 
something to refer back to and you have some backup for the communication.

IM for business is a toy.  Sure it can be used by inventive folks to 
substitute for more effective communication.  Some of the IM techniques may 
even have innovative applications.  I still think other techniques and 
applications are better suited than IM.  IM being a toy, the natural users are 
executives.  Many don't use more than email and schedule anyway.  The 
executives are also involved in regular, time critical communication.  Phone 
is still better.

     -- Alma

(I just thought of a situation:  If I am providing tech support to an end user 
and I need support from a vendor (or three), having multiple chat windows up 
at the same time for each line may be useful.)