Instant Messasging - un-hook yourself from the tyranny of client software

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With the Web now becoming more and more useful there's no need* for anyone to download, install, upgrade, download, install, uninstall, crash, worry, strife, arrrgh ... you just don't need to.

And if you're trapped within the walls of an IT Departments 'security' model you might even dream of the freedom that would come with installing your own useful and productive software.

Well jump out/over the whole need. Use the one piece of installed software that comes on every PC, the web browser. Sure you might have to fight your IT Department to get access to sites because of perceived 'security risks' but don't let them beat you down. They should have enough 'security' software (virus detection, stop naughty access and the like) on their internet servers to lower the risk to a business acceptable level ... that's their job. If they don't, ask them why not. Also ask why their perceived lack of ability to do their job means the business cannot do it's own in a more productive and effective manner - who is telling who how to run the business?

However, if you think it wise to use your browser go to porn, illegal downloading or just waste ya time on the web then your manager should be able to detect this (not lock it down, detect it), tap you on your shoulder and ask to have a private chat in the quiet meting room next to the exit door. Hey, this isn't total anarchy here and someone is paying you $s to do a job.

Analogy: We have total pencil rights, I can bring in my own home pencil if I want - no-one dictates what sort of pencil I can use (although in times gone by organisations used to). I am able to scribble all over the walls, if I feel the urge. The appropriate people would no doubt detect it and ask for a private chat in the quiet meting room next to the exit door.

Fight your IT Department to get access to sites that mean you are more productive at your job. And then jump off the PC, get online and use the applications that are 'pre-installed' for you.

Read/Write Web: Instant Messaging Round-Up
And may I humbly suggest that the first application you decide to use isn't Facebook, isn't a 'homepage' and most certainly isn't something as adventurous as web based documents/spreadsheets or presentations ... nope, it's web based Instant Messaging.

With web based Instant Messaging you don't have to do anything ... merely log in with your existing MSN, Yahoo!, Google Chat account and start chatting to your mates. No difference. Except you've not had to download, install, upgrade and it's available anytime / anywhere.

And, if you choose well, you can combine ALL of your IM accounts into one web based chat where you can chat with your Yahoo! mates at the same time and in the same place as your MSN chums. You can use multiple MSN log in (try that on a PC!) and so keep your work contacts separate from your personal ones.

Oh. And you'll always be using the very latest version!

Go on, give it a go.
But what are these sites Mike? Read/Write Web has an excellent round-up of the latest web based (and PC installed) Instant Messaging options.


* There is one 'application' that isn't ready for online life just yet and that's video storage/editing/sharing. Sure, snippettes can go up on YouTube/Google Videos and others but my bandwidth cap (and I'm sure yours) in Wellington, NZ means it isn't economically viable yet. If I lived in Stockholm with unlimited bandwidth for a fixed cost then I might be able to tell you differently.

** Thanks to Read/Write Web for the piccie

*** For all my Instant Messaging needs I use meebo

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