(Mis)Uses of Technology

(Mis)Uses of Technology

by Mike Masnick




RU Ready For Corporate IM?

from the how-important-is-it? dept

Well, people have been talking about it for a while, and now corporate instant messaging programs are finally getting ready to launch. I'm wondering if the value is really there, though. Most people already see regular instant messaging programs as corporate instant messaging. People don't want to have to install yet another IM client just to converse with co-workers - even if it's more secure. The "benefits" to corporate IM are only to corporate IT departments - and possibly execs who want to spy on their employees.

4 Comments | Leave a Comment..

 
 

Reader Comments

(Flattened / Threaded)

    Feb 24th, 2003 @ 7:32pm
  • I'm more optimistic

    by dorpus

    There are an amazing number of people (even in IT) who have never heard of instant messaging before. If messaging software becomes standard for every employee, it will definitely improve communications within companies. Also, this way it becomes easier to separate personal IMs from work IMs.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

    • Feb 24th, 2003 @ 8:35pm
    • Re: I'm more optimistic

      by Guyjean

      Geez......does anybody out there have a memory? I was using IM on IBM Profs back in the mid-80s to communicate between US staff and Corporate HQ and Development staff in England. Corporate IM turned out to be a big time and productivity waster although it was very useful in certain situations.
      Guyjean

      (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

    Feb 24th, 2003 @ 8:40pm
  • Agreed

    by WhistleBlower

    I totally agree.
    My employer was founded on money gained from a lawsuit, and this rather shadows how the IT group deals with us (now largely immigrant) factory-worker geeks. Yeah, some of them have a 180 IQ and IT fully realizes how non-genius their ranks are - short-man syndrome all the way, those little hitlers.
    Our IT bunch will snap this one up for sure - it was MADE for them. Of course, what this will mean is that we'll be left to either cut all IM use completely (like we'll let them archive our IMs to Mom) or just circumvent their losing effort like we've done before.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Feb 25th, 2003 @ 8:43am
  • What's the point?

    by Symfornix

    I thouroughly fail to see the point of just about every "application" for IM. Unless you're in a crowded place where you can't hear, or in a theater, just use the phone or email..
    It would be more effective for a company to setup an IRC server and let employees create private rooms. Another example of a solution looking for a problem..
    just my .02

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

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