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Productivity-Enhancing Instant Messenger Tweaks
Posted by Adam Pash at 8:00 AM on October 7, 2008
The Web Worker Daily weblog rounds up a handful of useful tweaks for using an instant messaging application at work without letting it ruin your productivity. For example:
Many IM programs allow you to be "invisible" to different contacts or contact groups when you come online. You can also be invisible to clients who rarely IM you anyway, and leave yourself visible for a few clients whose projects are more urgent. Taking advantage of your visibility settings can also come in handy if you use the same IM accounts for both personal and business contacts.
Instant messaging gets a bad rap in the workplace, but studies have suggested that instant messaging increases workplace productivity when compared to email, and IM can even reduce workplace interruptions. The catch: You need to know how to use IM effectively or the constant ding can ruin your productivity, and Web Worker Daily's list offers a nice take.
If you're on the hunt for a strong IM app, check out the five best instant messengers.
Comments (AU Comments · US Comments)
There are currently no AU comments for this post.
Nabeel
Posted 9:15 AM 7/10/08
I'm still surprised they didn't mention Digsby.
*Bends down to pick up burnt pieces of angered brain*
Nabeel
stainlessrat
Posted 9:42 AM 7/10/08
My favorite tool is actually Lifehacker's own Texter tool. I have frequent answers to common questions ("What was the conference call number again?") so that I can type a few letters and send them all of the information at once.
stainlessrat
rdn98
Posted 10:37 AM 7/10/08
This is a great article. I am a victim of IM productivity waster. LOL.
rdn98
nighttimestereo
Posted 10:36 AM 7/10/08
Pidgin is awesome, but it doesn't always make me invisible on all protocols when I select that option. Otherwise it's quite good.
nighttimestereo
-=Ben=-
Posted 11:52 AM 7/10/08
Just use Miranda-IM
-=Ben=-
rapid.fish
Posted 1:14 PM 7/10/08
@Nabeel:
I second that.. Digsby is the best IM client..I have ever used. email & social widget integration save me a lot of time..
rapid.fish
leftystrat
Posted 1:36 PM 7/10/08
Being productive with IM apps is like being more secure by giving your personal information away.
leftystrat
OlgaS
Posted 1:42 PM 7/10/08
Sometimes it is better not to log in at all. All measures turn out to be not very effective.
If you need to communicate with the client concerning the product or service it is better to use on-line management service, e.g. [Task2Gather.com.] It allows to talk to a client concerning each project or task. The talk in this case is very efficient and just to the point.
OlgaS
bgraves
Posted 3:01 PM 7/10/08
Is there a way to appear as 'Available' to only a certain Contact Group in Adium. I looked through the status settings but can't seem to figure it out.
bgraves
VakeroRokero
Posted 3:56 PM 7/10/08
I just erase whoever I don't want to see online.
VakeroRokero
grewal1212
Posted 5:20 PM 7/10/08
we have a protal we use at work, and the chat is built within the webpage. its awesome and better than regular e-mailing or calling for little tasks.
grewal1212
a_smith
Posted 7:41 PM 7/10/08
The Yahoo Messenger invisible option is bypassed by [invisible-scanner.com] on all IM clients, even web-based ones
a_smith
The_Gas_Man
Posted 11:22 PM 7/10/08
"Many IM programs allow you to be "invisible" to different contacts or contact groups when you come online."
Were there people out there that didn't know this?
I'm loving the other tips in the article too.
To be productive at work while still using IM:
- Don't IM while you're working
- Only chat for x hours
- Outsource
Novel ideas! Why has this not been thought of before?? ;)
The_Gas_Man
XenoMorphPT
Posted 11:40 PM 7/10/08
Miranda IM is the solution to all your problems ;)
XenoMorphPT
Phoshi
Posted 4:24 AM 8/10/08
my friends contact me even if I'm Occupied, or Busy.
Hell, they even do it if I appear offline <_<
Phoshi
Phoshi
Posted 4:23 AM 8/10/08
@leftystrat: Yeah, if you don't give your details to your bank, anyone could walk in and take your money :)
(Yes I Know It Doesn't Work Like That :P)
Phoshi
okolnost
Posted 5:21 AM 8/10/08
Hey, people, just do use whatever I use. ;-)
okolnost
pj24
Posted 6:29 AM 8/10/08
@VakeroRokero: I'm assuming that you mean block them and not delete them from your contact list because the latter doesn't do anything because your chatty friend can still see you.
pj24
suuuueee
Posted 1:56 PM 8/10/08
@bgraves: this would be GOLDEN. anything for pidgin users?
suuuueee