Journey vs. Destination

I asked why he was never online. He replied:

The [group IM program's] notifications have trained me to ignore it since the notification are from someone who has sent an ALL message. For me, [it] is as effective closed as it is open. Is there a better way to use it? The thing I cannot have is interruptions every few minutes.

I left it alone for nearly a week, it wasn't important. But it mattered so I decided to write up the following.

If we worked in the same office, I would occasionally come up to your desk and ask if you had a minute. Then, if you said yes, we'd have a conversation that was back and forth (and often more friendly) than via email.

We don't work in the same office but IM gives us the opportunity to have conversations. I don't mind sending you emails but sometimes it is easier to have a faster flow of back and forth for little issues.

For example, if you were on IM today, I'd have asked the questions about schematic revisions I sent over email (and probably spent less time wondering if it was something broken on my end). Actually, if you were on IM, I probably would have asked that two days ago since I put it off until I was sure I couldn't figure it out on my own.

Another example: last week, I sent you two lists of schematic issues. If you'd been on IM, I would have asked if each one made sense, about an hour after sending them… since you didn't see the second one until I asked why the modifications were absent, in a group meeting, that would have been useful. Actually, [another EE at this company] and I have done the whole review via IM so he could clarify each point as I was making them (and fix them while I went to look for others). That was probably the best not-in-person review I've ever been part of.

Sure, it provides interruptions but you can always ignore or turn it off for a few hours when you are working on something hard. Having it on and available is like having an open office door. I won't interrupt you for stupid crap (unless I'm in a “let's not work, let's play nerf wars” sort of mood but that is pretty seldom since I'm a contractor, and even then you can close your virtual door).

This IM program is a part of this company's culture. I understand not liking the interruptions but urge you to give it a try for a few days, see if the benefits outweigh the annoyances.

I'm done with my soapbox. 🙂

My coworker appeared on IM today. I hope it works for him.