Instant Messaging in the office

A few months ago I wrote an article “Instant Messaging when you can’t install software” that has come in handy for me several times since.

About two years ago, our company invested in having a business version of AOL Instant Messenger available to the staff. (Very forward thinking.) The IT department installed AIM on PC for anyone that requested it.

Probably 40% of our staff use IM regularly to communicate internally and with vendors, clients and other agencies we work with. Certainly some people chat with family or friends, but I don’t believe that’s abused. Certainly better than having that employee chatting on the phone.

We were suprised to get a notice last week that the corporate policy on IM was being changed. Employees are no longer allowed to chat with non-employees. Reasons cited:

• Many other companies do it
• IM presents increased security risks
• Client contracts and/or security assessments prohibiting use of IM due to security threats and privacy policies
• Increased costs of supporting this technology

What’s particularly suprising is that Instant Messaging took years to gain respect as a new, useful tool for collaboration and communication. Now it’s becoming too risky for companies to manage.

-Roland

Instant Messaging when you can’t install software

Shhh! Don’t tell the IT guy!

Tip: Instant Messaging when you can’t install software. IM with your Web browser instead!

In recent years, company IT departments have cracked down on letting end users install software on company computers. It’s justified, since administrators are tasked to make sure the company complies with software licensing agreements. Also, giving employees too much freedom to install software eventually leads to computers that may experience decreased performance and lead to significant downtime for employee and administrator to fix. Not to mention the risk of introducing virus’ and other malware into the network.

If you really need AIM, and you can’t convince your company IT dept to install IM software, check out these apps that work in your Web browser:

• Meebo
  Platforms: AOL/AIM, ICQ, Jabber, GTalk (Google Talk), Yahoo!, MSN
• eMessenger
  Platforms: AOL/AIM, MSN, Yahoo!
• AIM Express
  Platforms: AOL/AIM

Personally, I enjoy using Meebo, especially since I can aggregate several IM platforms within a single login. Additionally, you can create a Meebo Me mini chat application on your Web pages and have your Web site visitors IM you.

What are your thoughts? Please post your suggestions. Thanks.
-Roland

Roland Reinhart is an interactive marketing professional. His observations can be found at Chaos365.com and AdMadMan.com.

©2006 Roland Reinhart. All Rights Reserved.

Instant Messaging with Treo 650

Back in the mid-90’s, I used a simple Day Runner paper planner to “organize” my life. My wife urged my evolution up to a Franklin Planner, which was more of a leather bound philosophy and way of life.

I think it was around 1998 when I picked up a Palm III in an office supply store and was instantly hooked. I even had a leather Franklin Planner case that integrated a Palm IIIx sleeve with the paper ring binder (pretty much an oxymoron now that I think about it).

My PDA journey started with the III, then a Palm IIIx, a Tungsten C and finally led to a Smart Phone Palm Treo 650 — simply the best PDA ever!

I swear by electronic organizers to keep me sane. The PDA is also my curse because it is loaded with an everlasting list of tasks to accomplish. Plus, my mom thinks my handwriting is horrible.

Part of being organized and productive is the need for instant access to info. IM is great for that. My co-workers depend on AOL Instant Messenger to stay in touch throughout the day. My family also occasionally ping me rather than call, since it’s less intrusive. I’ve wanted instant messaging (not text messaging) on my Treo, but just couldn’t justify the expense.

Finally, a few free alternative for Instant Messaging on the Treo 650 have surfaced.
Here are two worth checking out if you are looking for simple features. See the full list below for other software solutions that offer more features, yet come at a price.

Free Solutions:

• AtomicCog.com’s Toccer for Treo Agile Messenger 2 BETA for Palm 3.5+
  Platforms: ICQ, AIM, Yahoo!, MSN
  Investment: Free Beta

Paid Solutions:

• AOL Mobile
  Platforms: AOL
  Investment: $19.95
• Chatopus
  Platforms: MSN, Yahoo!, AIM, ICQ, GaduGadu and Sametime, Google Talk, Jabber
  Investment: $16.95
• VeriChat
  Platforms: “An always-on presence on the Yahoo!, ICQ, MSN & AOL chat networks.” Investment: $24.95/$34.95 annual subscription fee, depending on level of features.
• IM+ Mobile Instant Messenger
  Platforms: ICQ, MSN, AOL, Yahoo, Jabber, Google Talk
  Investment: $29.95
• Causerie Messenger
  Platforms: Yahoo!, MSN, AIM, ICQ, Jabber, Google Talk
  Investment: $29.95

Occasionally, Palm software download sites run special discounts. Keep an eye out and maybe you can get 10% off.

The EverythingTreo.com Instant Messenger Roundup November 2005 has a review that compares Chatopus, IM+ and VeriChat.

If you ever need to IM while at a someone else’s computer, or your company IT dept refuses to install IM software, check out AIM Express. It’s slow, but works via the Web browser.

I hope this helps you be more productive. Let me know if you have any experience with the above or other solutions to check out. Thanks.
-Roland

Roland Reinhart is an interactive marketing professional. His observations can be found at Chaos365.com and AdMadMan.com.

©2006 Roland Reinhart. All Rights Reserved.