http://instantmessengernow.com All things IM and Communications Fri, 31 Jul 2009 15:56:35 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en Finding the correct length for an instant message is not always easy.  It all depends on how much you have to say.  The problem is when you have a lot to say you may be tempted to blurt.  The IM version of blurting is a long ... http://instantmessengernow.com/instant-messengers-and-paragraphs/ Instant messenging can be a great way to open up a dialogue. Some people however, treat it like their personal PA system. Periodically they take off their away message (or sign in) and send out a few brief messages like these: “Mark, if you want to hang out tonight call ... http://instantmessengernow.com/one-liners-im-etiquette/ Video chat can be a great tool for communications.  There are also a few times when it can be a bad idea.  Here are some of those times. When you are sick, or have not properly groomed. When you are upset.  Your face could ... http://instantmessengernow.com/when-not-to-video-chat/ Using a video chat is a lot like going on TV.  If you want to look good you may have to take a few extra steps: Avoid glossy things.  This includes high gloss lipstick, glittery items and polarized sunglasses. Balance the proportions on the ... http://instantmessengernow.com/how-to-look-good-on-your-video-im/ The land of IM is where abbreviated typing now known erroneously as text speak, began.  A lot of the time, this is a great time saver, or finger saver as the case may be. A problem arises when people try to make it up as they go along.  ... http://instantmessengernow.com/im-annoyance-making-it-up-as-you-go/ We tend to take our privacy online for granted.  We assume that when we enter into a private chat on AIM (or any public IM service) that the information will stay where we it.  That can be a false assumption.  There are a few ways the ... http://instantmessengernow.com/secure-im%e2%80%99s-not-in-the-mainstream/ Adding friends to your business instant messenger is a little different then it is with your personal messenger.  When you are dealing with your business messenger there are some questions you should ask yourself before you add on a new contact. Is my relationship with ... http://instantmessengernow.com/business-im%e2%80%99s-and-friend-list-population/ There is little doubt that we live in a culture of instant gratification.  We all want things, and we want them now.  Going to the video store is lengthy, but downloading on iTunes can take a fraction of that time (and, as a bonus, you can ... http://instantmessengernow.com/instant-messages-and-instant-gratification/ When you get your instant messenger from a 3rd party site, then you need to be sure that they have what you need.  You also have to be sure that you will not be getting any nasty surprises along with the new software. If you want to keep ... http://instantmessengernow.com/downloading-instant-messengers-beware-bad-sites/ A note to all instant messenger developers, here is a great idea for a new feature: individual status settings. Think about the value here, of being online, and chatting, while certain key people think you are away. Possible scenarios include: * Ditching your ex (who still wants closure after 6 months) ... http://instantmessengernow.com/im%e2%80%99s-why-can%e2%80%99t-you-hang-up-on-just-one-person/