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IM Usage & Awareness Services

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the but-what-about-the-pretty-sounds dept.

CowboyRobot writes "Queue has two related articles on Instant Messaging. The first, written by two Sun Labs researchers, looks at the lack of standards in IM protocols, as well as the preception that the distracting nature of IM precludes it from being a more useful communications medium. Their solutions involve new 'Awareness Services' and they summarize three research prototypes: 'Awarenex', 'Rhythm Awareness', and 'Lilsys'. The second includes the results of an AT&T Labs study of IM use. Among the findings, "Despite the perception that IM is commonly used for social purposes in the workplace, we found that was rarely the case. Only 13 percent of the conversations we monitored included any personal topics whatsoever, and only 6.4 percent were exclusively personal.""

6 of 203 comments (clear)

  1. Re:I find that 99% of my IM time is non-work relat by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

    Careful messaging the cute intern with stuff like that .. he might sue for sexual harassment.

  2. Re:how was this legal? by anthony_dipierro · · Score: 3, Funny

    Didn't you get the memo?

  3. Interesting by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

    "the results of an AT&T Labs study of IM use. Among the findings, "Despite the perception that IM is commonly used for social purposes in the workplace, we found that was rarely the case. Only 13 percent of the conversations we monitored included any personal topics whatsoever, and only 6.4 percent were exclusively personal."""

    Left hand, meet right hand. We actually have been told at AT&T to NOT use IM at all. Whee.

  4. Hmm... by iamdrscience · · Score: 4, Funny

    Business related IMs, eh? I don't think I've ever seen such a thing.

    Judging from the IM conversations I've had with most people outside of the geek world I think it would go something like this:

    SexyJester2939: hey
    kewlPanda52: hi
    SexyJester2939: r u doing teh TPS report #s
    kewlPanda52: what r u talking abut? those arent due til fri
    SexyJester2939: THE #S 4 UR TEAM DOCS!!!!! TODAYY!!!!!!
    kewlPanda52: o i c
    kewlPanda52: ya I have the #s 4 that
    kewlPanda52: just a sex
    kewlPanda52: i mean sec lol
    SexyJester2939: k
    SexyJester2939: lol
    kewlPanda52: ok i mail them 2 u
    SexyJester2939: thx ;)
    kewlPanda52: latez!
    SexyJester2939: cu l8r

  5. First Post... by Realistic_Dragon · · Score: 2, Funny

    Or it would have been, but I got distracted by an instant message.

    --
    Beep beep.
  6. Re:So what exactly is it good for in the office? by Afrosheen · · Score: 2, Funny

    Yeah, but 'thank you, come again' isn't nearly as funny in text as it is in person.

    *quickie mart simpsons reference for the 3 of you that have mod points and didn't get it.