How important is IM? was RE: How important is the PSTN

["Christopher J. Wolff" <chris () bblabs com>]

Jane,

This brings up a good point about IM.  IMHO, IM is a security risk and I am
establishing a company standard where users behind the firewall are
prohibited from using IM, IRC, and peer-to-peer file sharing programs.  My
opinion is that these types of programs contribute more to lack of
productivity than to real problem solving.

So my question for the group is, do chat programs (IM, IRC, yahoo) serve a
substantial network support purpose or are they more of a distraction,
allowing staff to communicate with friends, relatives, drifters, interlopers
on company time?

Regards,
Christopher J. Wolff, VP CIO
Broadband Laboratories
http://www.bblabs.com

-----Original Message-----
From: owner-nanog () merit edu [mailto:owner-nanog () merit edu]On Behalf Of
Pawlukiewicz Jane
Sent: Tuesday, June 25, 2002 12:06 PM
To: nanog () merit edu
Subject: How important is the PSTN


Hi all,

Thanks so much for all the great answers. (Could everyone please stop
telling me that im = instant messaging). I knew I should've never gotten
out of bed this morning.

Anyway, 75% of the respondents said the phone is critical. 25% said some
form of IM is critical.

Just in case anyone was curious.

Is it me or is it very quiet in here today?

Jane