February 22, 2003
IM Etiquette
Like any other new technology, instant messaging (IM) is evolving its own rules of engagement -- especially in business. Here are some tips for using IM wisely at work:
Consider the content: IM works best for quick questions, updates, and schedule changes. For complicated or critical messages, send an E-mail, pick up the phone, or hike down the hall.
Be brief: Keep messages almost telegraphic -- no more than a sentence or two. Save longer conversations for meetings and conference calls.
Be kind: Never deliver bad news or major announcements by IM; the format will seem to trivialize the message.
Be smart: Don't use IM to negotiate contracts, place orders, or make personnel assignments. Put those things in writing, preferably with a fax or a letter.
Be careful: Never include sensitive or confidential information in a message. It's too easy for someone to cut and paste the text into an E-mail or another document that might be passed on.
Knock first: Open every message by asking whether you're interrupting ("Is this a good time to talk about Davis?"). On your end, learn to say no when you're busy: "Can't now, how about at 2?" or "Later, OK?"
Try the tools: Many IM programs have icons that you can set to indicate your status: available, on the phone, do not disturb, away. Use them.
Keep it professional: Limit the use of cutesy, potentially confusing acronyms and slang -- "G2G" for "got to go," for instance. And pick an appropriate screen ID. As one CEO observes, "Monkeyboy42 is probably not a good business IM name."
It's been said that in cyberspace, no one knows if you're a dog. Yet people can act like dogs, when it comes to enterprise instant messaging (EIM).
Some users treat EIM communications -- messages that should have a business-like tone -- like a conversation in a bar or at a sports event. Others think EIM conversations should take on the appearance of short-message services (SMS) chats, where fully spelled-out words are dumped in favor of abbreviations and letter combinations that look like something out of a teenager's notebook.
With that in mind, we've put together a guide for proper etiquette when using IM in a corporate/enterprise situation. We won't bore you with a Miss Manners-style column that starts out with "Gentle reader" and then goes on to list items that at times sound like they're straight out of the 19th Century. Instead, these recommendations are designed specifically for today's business world, where electronic communication is king.
While some of these guidelines come directly from your humble InstantMessagingPlanet editor, others are from readers of the site. Those people will be credited after their contribution.
This list is by no means an end-all, be-all compilation. If anything, please consider this a living, breathing document. We'll be revising and updating items for later publications. If you have a tip you'd like to see included, please e-mail me.
Conversation Content
This one seems to be pretty obvious, but since this is intended to be a comprehensive guide, we'll address it.
As with e-mail, think about what you type into that conversation window. If you're the type who immediately regrets what you've written after you hit the "send" button, be forewarned -- not thinking about what you're typing can quickly change a friendly IM conversation into a full-fledged argument. And when you're not face- to-face and not seeing how the other person is reacting, its easy to have an argument escalate into a full-fledged word war. So no matter how a conversation is going, try your best to keep a cool head when IMing. And think, think, think about what you're typing before you actually enter it into the IM window.
Also...
Start each request with a polite question such as "Got a sec for a phone call?" "Do you have time for a text chat question?" or "If you have a few minutes, can I stop at your cube?" Do not just start typing your question. If you see that the person is inactive, you should formulate your question to be brief. Remember that if the application is terminated your question can go away so if you are concerned, use e-mail for the detailed question and just send an IM "Post-It" that asks them to read your e- mail question. Also a person may want to keep a record of a complex question or forward it on so still e-mail for more formal/detailed questions. (Alan L. Huberty, Ford Systems Integration Services)
Before sending an IM, the user should be conscious that the recipient might not be alone, might be projecting their PC for a presentation and that the eyes seeing the IM could be literally gobs and gobs of people. In that vein, any presenter should turn of IM before casting their PC display for all to see (it's easy to forget to do this). And anyone using Netmeeting or other share program where their entire PC is shared needs to turn off chat temporarily. (Claudia Siegel, DBM)
Use emoticons when you sense the opportunity for misunderstanding. A smiley face can go a long way in letting someone know your comment should be taken as a friendly one, especially if it may look to be unfriendly without one. (Adriene Nazaretian, Yale University School of Medicine)
On the flip side of that one...
Excessive abbreviations, emoticons, and the like should be used with restraint, or not at all. Enterprise IM communications are still business communications, and should be treated with the same amount of decorum as a written letter. People will say things in via IM they would never say via a written letter or in a telephone conversation. This is particular true for younger employees who may be used to IM more as a means of socialization than as a business tool. (Aryeh Goretsky)
I agree completely with Adriene, and am on the same page for the most part with Aryeh. Emoticons generally should not be used in EIM communications, but a well-placed one can avoid a heated, non-vocal argument in cyberspace.
Multi-User Conversations
Avoid non-business related multi-user conversations. People who aren't invited may feel "out of the loop" if all of their co-workers are giggling about a private IM conversation. Most people would think twice about standing around in a circle whispering jokes to each other on company time -- they should think twice about using IM for this purpose as well. (Mark Noble, Columbus, OH)
Don't invite someone to join a conference in progress without asking the other folks already there. The newly invited may see (hear) comments not intended for them. (Stowe Boyd, Ikimbo Inc.)
The Actual Act of Messaging
If you've ever been in an AOL chat room, you've probably seen all kinds of examples of "Chatters Behaving Badly." People typing in ALL CAPS, changing font styles and sizes, using different colors, and so on. A basic guideline here is don't do anything that would get users in an AOL chat room ticked off at you. Many would say the bar is pretty low by that standard. So let's raise it. Type normally, and in full sentences, when you're in an EIM conversation. After all, this isn't SMS. You wouldn't put a phrase like "c ya l8ter" in a business letter, right?
Also...
It's hard to know when an IM is over. Back and forth "see ya's" and "bye's" often take place. Good etiquette might be that the first person to indicate it's over is enough. (Claudia Siegel, DBM)
Direct the chat to e-mail (or even to the phone) if it appears to be a substantial issue that needs to be documented or intended for multiple recipients. (Adriene Nazaretian, Yale University School of Medicine)
When Available Really Means Busy, and Other IM Client Setting Details
Remember when IMing that just because someone is online doesn't mean they have the time to talk to you. Nothing is more annoying than being on a conference call or finishing something up for deadline and having the same person IM you repeatedly, asking why you are not responding. Especially on a client call, when the person on the other line is perfectly able to hear the repeated message ding, or the sound of your typing a response. (Mara Klein, Ingate Systems)
One of the most important lessons that I have learned from using instant messaging every day at work is that sometimes it is perfectly acceptable not to use IM. By changing my Lotus Sametime status from available to "Do Not Disturb," my colleagues know that I am busy working, and they should contact me later. For the same reasons that I do not answer my phone 100 percent of the time, it is important that I am able to control who can IM me and when. This feature makes my co-workers feel more comfortable contacting me when I am available without worrying that they are disrupting my work. (Jeremy Dies, Offerings Manager for Advanced Collaboration, IBM Lotus)
Set the timeout below 5 minutes. More than that is not a good "available" indicator. Set your location status with as much information as possible to assist people in contacting you the way that you want to be contacted, like cell phone, pager number, cube number, and so on. (Alan L. Huberty, Ford Systems Integration Services)
Set the preferences on your PC to have a gentle, not-so-intrusive sound accompany an incoming IM. In an office where people have a sound for incoming e-mail and a sound for incoming IMs makes for a cacaphony. Perhaps turning off the incoming e-mail audio chime is a good option. (Claudia Siegel, DBM)
Public IM Usage
If your IM system is interoperable with the public IM networks (AOL's AIM, ICQ, MSN Messenger or Yahoo Messenger), keep conversations with family and friends to a minimum. Remember: You're on company time, even when you're IMing with your significant other about picking up milk and flour on the way home.
Also keep in mind that more and more enterprise IM-strength systems have auditing and logging capabilities. So keep that in mind if you have long, winding conversations with friends or siblings. Plus (just like with phone calls), it's generally legal for your employer to "listen in" on your IM conversations -- after all, you are on your employer's time if you're at work.
Also...
Don't SPIM -- don't use IM as spam. Setting up a 'bot-based or alert-based service that pushes information is fine. But it is evil to pounce on the unsuspecting and put the hard sell on them. (Stowe Boyd, Ikimbo Inc.)
Above all, as Aryeh Gortesky puts it, "Treat each communication you have, regardless of whether it is with a co-worker or a customer, as if it were going to be printed in the New York Times." Amen.
Home
Ethereal Trades is an extension of a hobby that started out way back in 1985 or so... and I sponsored a BBS (Bulletin Board System) long before the Internet we know today existed. Times and technology have changed and I'm trying still trying to evolve and provide some entertainment and service with the passions that still burn in me today.
More about the history of ETC later, but I hope to bring some interesting comment to life and a small corner of the on-line experience... more of a personal look at my life's interests than is comfortable, and tilts towards extremely technical. (pun intended).
Life as a closet geek as it were!
........Get some coffee, and relax a while!
Features,
- Twisted Tech Humor
- Tech Support in Layman's terms
- Insight into tech News and Events
- Support for IRC, IM; Programs/Scripts
- Digital Photography and support
- Current Links to the Web's deepest realms
"Friends don't let friends use ***AOL"
This site is currently under construction. I do appreciate your patience while learning HTML and dinking with graphics, navigation, foreign hardware, and the idiosyncrasies in the execution of a dream... (and it just might be my execution :-)
Gallery
This had to be one of the first pictures in the gallery! Living in Louisiana I just didn't think I had a choice.
There will definitely be some fun here...
Remember... it takes a little longer for pictures to load, so be patient.
Family Gallery Pictures!
the Sun & Moon - Keely Dawn & Jennifer Burke
Wedding: Clyde & Lauren Hunt at Lackland AFB TX
Lauren's High School Graduation, Class of 2002
Keep an eye out for new additions to the Gallery. I've got some very special photos, poetry and artwork to share with everyone and I hope you are enjoying my passion as much as I am.
Virtually Yours,
Bobasaur
Forums
This is to be dedicated to iRC (Internet Chat Relay) and the rooms, sites, and programs used to communicate on the web. Your choice in software can have a big impact on the amount of pleasure you get from these sites, and we can help you with that too.
There is so much to offer out there, from sites where you can get help for specific illnesses, discuss your favorite hobbies, cooking, or learn how to do whatever it is you want to do. And you do it by talking to others with the same maladies, interests, or technical bent that is specific to yourself. Literally thousands of rooms around the world and in your own neighborhood exist on the Web today... you just have to know where and how to look for them.
Of course, there are some pitfalls for you if you have kids that randomly visit some of these sites, but I'll try to help you to help them do their chatting and web surfing in a safe and responsible manner. The majority of these sites have moderators that control the flow of the conversation, and the subject matter. Most have rules regarding foul language, sexual content, and are on guard for the predators that are highlighted in the tabloids and news today. Rest assured, the IRCops are in the channels and watching everything going on, and enforce rules and regulations by kicking offenders out of the channel and banning them from returning.
News and Links
HighLifter: This is a spirited room dedicated to ATV riding and hosts enthusiasts from the ArkLaTx and Nationally.
SBO: I believe this to be S'port/Bossier Online, but after monitoring for a few days the room stays empty.
International TechChat
Now here is a place you can go to as your technical questions. I've been a follower of this group long before Chris Pirillo joined TechTV's Call For Help segment.
You can also navigate to these sites by using an IRC Client like mIRC or Trillian. Make your connection to:
lockergnome.wyldryde.net on port 6667, connect, then enter /join #lockergnome. Using a chat client adds to the functionality and options in chat specific sites.
Gettin' Digital
Now this is a section I'll personally have a lot of fun with! I love photography and art and hope to shed some light on the digital world that looms before us... it'll go right along with the Gallery.
Ever wonder just what that salesperson was talking about when you were shopping for a digital camera? And just what is this stick memory he/she is talking about? Doesn't it come with a chip? How many megapixels are enough? And what the hell is MP3? Don't you guys have tapes or CD's anymore?
It can get real confusing, and I hope to alleviate some fear, answer some questions, and explain just what it is they're talking about. If you're anything like me, you have trouble keeping up with techno-speak!
Why ETC?
I was in the military, stationed in Germany, and needed a way to vent my frustrations at being so distant from the family, and I had more time on my hands than I needed. Besides, there were worse things to get into in downtown Nuremberg at the time, and I wasn't about to get caught up in anything that would jeopardize my marriage or military career. So I bought a computer...
As my interests grew in on-line communications, and being the closet geek that I was, I went a step further than just going on line and visiting other sites. I learned code, integration of multiple operating systems (os), and put up site of my own, resulting in a long-term investment of resources, telephone expenses, and expensive hardware.
Soon, people were calling from all over the world. It was amazing, and you have to understand, it wasn't like the Internet of today. Each call was to a specific terminal, using very slow modems, and unusually high long distance charges piled up... and since all of this was taking place in space, over phone lines and the air, the nickname em>Ethereal Trade Co. / ETC was born.
Enter Fidonet ... a group of hundreds put together a method of communicating en-masse, and combined resources behind "hubs" in cities all over the world, usually a co-op. Then there were satellite dish transmitters/receivers that circumvented using Ma Bell, and expenses began to fall. It was still another 3-5 years until the Internet would be available to the general public. Other networks sprung up; Nurses Net, MedNet, SafeNet, to name a few I was directly involved in. Here is an excerpt from a Google® search of the name:
ETC's MedNet -------- 1:387/801
Phone: --------- (210) 829-0346
SafeNet RC ------------- 44:500/0
For years ETC's MedNet has been one of the premiere medically specific bbs's in the nation, specializing in hard to find medical files, online CEU's (Continuing Education for professionals), and over 75 medically related echoes for nurses, physicians, and those whom may be afflicted with specific problems and needs.
SafeNet is a network linking EMT/Fire/Emergency Services in a nationally recognized public service network. Firefighters, Paramedics, and Emergency Room professionals.
Brought to you by Ethereal Trade Co., my dedication to profession education, and my wife's utter distress.
ETC's MedNet - SHREVEPORT, LA (1994)
ETC's MedNet, S'port/Bossier Net - SHREVEPORT, LA (1994-1997)
Ethereal Systems - SHREVEPORT, LA (1996)
February 21, 2003
What Planet is this, and to Whom do we belong?
In light of the many perversions and jokes we send to one another for a laugh, this is a little different: This is not intended to be a joke, it's not funny, it's intended to get you thinking.
Billy Graham's daughter was interviewed on the Early Show and Jane Clayson asked her "How could God let something like this happen?" (regarding the attacks on Sept. 11).
Anne Graham gave an extremely profound and insightful response. She said "I believe God is deeply saddened by this, just as we are, but for years we've been telling God to get out of our schools, to get out of our government and to get out of our lives.
And being the gentleman He is, I believe He has calmly backed out. How can we expect God to give us His blessing and His protection if we demand He leave us alone?"
In light of recent events...terrorist attacks, school shootings, etc. I think it started when Madeleine Murray O'Hare (she was murdered, her body found recently) complained she didn't want prayer in our schools, and we said OK.
Then someone said you better not read the Bible in school ... the Bible says thou shalt not kill, thou shalt not steal, and love your neighbor as yourself. And we said OK.
Then Dr. Benjamin Spock said we shouldn't spank our children when they misbehave because their little personalities would be warped and we might damage their self-esteem (Dr. Spock's son committed suicide). We said an expert should know what he's talking about. And we said OK.
Now we're asking ourselves why our children have no conscience, why they don't know right from wrong, and why it doesn't bother them to kill strangers, their classmates, and themselves.
Probably, if we think about it long and hard enough, we can figure it out. I think it has a great deal to do with "WE REAP WHAT WE SOW."
Funny how simple it is for people to trash God and then wonder why the world's going to hell. Funny how we believe what the newspapers say, but question what the Bible says.
Funny how you can send 'jokes' through e-mail and they spread like wildfire but when you start sending messages regarding the Lord, people think twice about sharing.
Funny how lewd, crude, vulgar and obscene articles pass freely through cyberspace, but public discussion of God is suppressed in the school and workplace.
Are you laughing?
Funny how when you forward this message, you will not send it to many on your address list because you're not sure what they believe, or what they WILL think of you for sending it. Funny how we can be more worried about what other people think of us than what God thinks of us.
Pass it on if you think it has merit. If not then just discard it... no one will know you did. But, if you discard this thought process, don't sit back and complain about what bad shape the world is in!
God bless you.
author unknown... contributed by MeowMommaGin
February 13, 2003
Tech Support...
A story from a Novell netWire SysOp:
Caller: Hello, is this Tech Support?"
Tech: Yes, it is. How may I help you?"
Caller: The cup holder on my PC is broken and I am within my warranty period. How do I go about getting that fixed?"
Tech: I'm sorry, but did you say a cup holder?
Caller: Yes, it's attached to the front of my computer.
Tech: Please excuse me if I seem a bit stumped. It's because I am. Did you receive this as part of a promotional at a trade show? How did you get this cup holder? Does it have any trademark on it?"
Caller: It came with my computer. I don't know anything about a promotional. It just has '4X' on it."
At this point, the Tech Rep had to mute the caller because he couldn't help it. He was laughing too hard. The caller had been using the load drawer of the CD-ROM drive as a cup holder and snapped it off the drive.
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A woman called the Canon help desk with a problem with her printer. The tech asked her if she was "running it under windows." The woman responded, "No, my desk is next to the door, but that is a good point because the man sitting in the cubicle next to me is under a window and his printer is working fine."
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Tech Support: Ok, Bob, let's press the control and escape keys at the same time. That brings up a task list in the middle of the screen. Now, click on the letter "P" to bring up the Program Manager."
Customer: "I don't have a 'P'."
Tech Support: "On your keyboard, Bob."
Customer: "What do you mean?"
Tech Support: "'P' on your keyboard, Bob."
Customer: "I'm not going to do that!"
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I realize that stories liked this are not funny to those who've we've undeliberately offended by talking over their heads. That's a feeling we can all identify with at different times in our lives as we interact in a world where we only know about the things we touch on a day to day basis. We've all been there, and I can remember being as confused and frustrated, sick AND tired... and I try to remember that when I'm on the phone.
I remember one customer who experienced an issue that I couldn't help but to laugh out loud because I had experienced the same exact circumstance in my early dinking days. I felt so foolish when I finally understood my ignorance. He (the customer) thought I was laughing at him instead of myself, and honestly, I was. He was deeply offended, insulted. Nothing I could say would take away the sting. He cancelled his account a few hours later and I'll remember it to this day, with every call.
It's hard not come off as the Physician talking to a mere patient, or sound like a Lawyer, or any other profession that requires a different language further defining its' components. We forget that we all were there once too, either while on the phone, in a chat room, or simply trying to understand something we didn't know.
Technically,
Bobco
February 10, 2003
Dell slacker pitchman arrested on pot charges
By The Associated Press
(2/10/03 - NEW YORK)
Dude! The actor who gained fame and a cult following as the slacker "Steven" in commercials for Dell computers was arrested buying a small bag of marijuana, police said.
Benjamin Curtis, a 22-year-old New York University drama student, was arraigned Monday on a misdemeanor drug possession charge. The charge assumes a suspect is not carrying more than a "use amount" _ enough to roll several marijuana cigarettes.
Police said he was arrested Sunday night on the Lower East Side after officers on a drug detail spotted him buying a small bag of marijuana from Omar Mendez, 19. Mendez faces drug sale and possession charges.
Curtis' portrayal of a surfer type who proclaims, "Dude, yer gettin' a Dell!" drove up computer sales and spawned T-shirts, caps, and backpacks, along with Web sites and online fan clubs.
At the arraignment, Criminal Court Judge Ellen Coin advised Curtis that his case will be dismissed, and his record expunged, if he avoids arrest during the next year.
(Copyright 2003 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
February 09, 2003
Computer Sheaux 2003
It may have been a brisk 30 something degrees but there were hundreds lined up to get in to Shreveports' 2003 Computer Sheaux 2003. I guess the old addage about the "early bird getting the worm" includes the best deals on the products and merchandise poised for sale at rock bottom prices inside the Bossier City Convention Center. And buy they did, carrying out their spoils by the industrial cartload. Everything from the ancient, hard to find spare parts, to state of the art motherboards, cpu's, monitors, hardrives, sound and video cards, memory, mice, cases, cables, and the list goes on and on.
The people that attended were as varied as the merchandise. Professionals, hobbyists, surfers, designers, and everything in between... All with that hint of "geek" about them, and all of them enjoying the interaction with others like themselves. There is a saying coined by my friend Chris Pirillo that goes; "GEEK used to be a four letter word, now it is a $ix figure one." By the amounts of hardware and software that were leaving the sheaux by the armload, I'd say that folks were preparing to make the most of their passions.
Shreve Net was well represented and giving away popcorn, candy, and a lot of technical assistance to those in need. Many were just curious about our services and capabilities, but you've got to be a ShreveNet customer to understand the real worth behind an already outstanding Internet provider, and that is the people that make up the staff and support for the company. I've personally never seen a more dedicated, caring, and invested group of individuals that meld together into a superlative team. The knowledge and professionalism and combined years of service of our staff is overwhelming, and I am proud to be counted among them. The effort and thought that is currently being invested in the future of the company will bring the best of technology together with a genuinely customer oriented support staff that is there to meet the needs of almost any area.
Make sure to visit ComputerSheaux.org and get the dates for the next event, and be sure to note the number of high profile sponsors that are present at each event. There was something there for everyone, expert and hobbyist alike, and associations that are sure to bear fruit for future gatherings. Plan ahead, and plan to have fun!
See you at The Sheaux!
Bobco...
February 06, 2003
Computer Security Basics... a lifesaver!
Machine slowing down these days? Strange pop-ups plague your system? Modem connecting for no reason or lights flashing when you aren't supposed to be on line? Maybe you need to do a system-wide sweep of the programs that are working in the background without your knowledge.
It's no wonder that there are those that would deliberately use their software to install spyware on your system so they can know about your surfing habits, the sites you frequently (or accidentally) visit, music CD's that you listen to, or capture of private chat sessions with family or friends. Some actually can take over your machine in the background to take part in an attack on another site (called DDOS), using ports on your machine and running code that, with thousands of other machines, infest the targeted site with packets and pings rendering it unaccessible.
Some spyware even transmits password information, credit card numbers, software used, and other private tid bits about your life. Don't you think it's time you took control over the assets of your machine and is being controlled by someone besides yourself? Here are some basic suggestions as to how to get started cleaning house, and then installing the software locks to keep 'em out!
Let's start with some downloadable software tools that will detect the offending programs on your machine:
SpyWare Info This site keeps up to date information on the latest programs and threats on the Internet today as well as tutorials and techniques to keep your system safe and clean. Your host "Mike" is an expert and has online chat available to get immediate answers to your concerns:
Programs you'll want to have are:
Detection and Removal: These allow you to find offending programs and get rid of them.
Prevention - Firewalls & Antivirus: Once your system has been cleaned, you need to keep it that way:
Once you've been over your system, cleaned it, and installed needed security there are some basic rules that need to be followed.
Bobco...