SwimFinsSF

Messanging Observations

I’ve been using the new iChat for a few days now and for the most part I’m loving it… However it has made me think more about how I use instant messaging and how I communicate with people…

I’ve found the voice part very impressive – the quality is outstanding and having a full duplex conversation rather than walkie talkie style conversations is very nice.. Talking with people a long ways away (like on the other coast) does show a noticeable lag so you have to be more deliberate about your conversations… its not the telephone but its gettin there …

The video is more problematic but I attribute that as much to my small DSL pipe that i’m talking to as anything – that and the fact that the person I’ve tried to use it with the most is also in NYC.. Kinda harsh circumstances to be throwin at the poor thing…

However I’ve also discovered that I there is still a very important place for good old fashioned text IMs… I’m a huge IM junkey – ask anyone.. I use it for work, for family, and for friends.. I find it a very nice way to communicate that is very inobtrusive to what i’m doing.. Someone can say somethign to me and i’ll get to it when its most convenient.. That may be immediately or it might be a little later when i’m done with a thought or a conversation… Everyone who IMs me knows not to be offended if I don’t respond right away – just means I’m busy – if its important they’ll call..

The voice and video part of the new iChat doesn’t allow for that – people can’t leave a message for you to respond to – you have to react immediately similar to a telephone… That doesn’t mean they wont have their uses – when i’m having a detailed conversation with someone I often pick up the phone and call cuz typing that much is irritating. Now i can just click the talk button.. Or if I wanna check in on someone in my family the video part will be way cool…

They all have their place and i’m gonna enjoy trying them – but in this case I think the new technology just enhances the old – doesn’t replace it… There’s still a place for old IMs

“Good morning”

“Hey – what was that bug number?”

“You ready to drive home?”

“Wanna go to a movie tonight?”

“What was your flight number?”

Just some thoughts…

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