Chit Chat Paddy Whack, Beats Getting on the Phone

For this task I used Skype. I tried but couldnt get ICQ or IMVU working on the Apple, and as I had only just learnt to use Skype, I stuck with it.

I have found one on one real time chat to be fantastic. I have spent many hours, so far, using it and I love it! It sits in the background silent until someone has something to say, with none of the awkwardness this type of pause causes in more personal forms of communication. Its like having a chat with an old friend, it is as comfortable and relaxed as you want it to be. You can think and deliver considered responses without the time constraint you normally feel. So one on one I will continue to use instant messaging to communicate with friends and colleagues. The group thing is a different matter.

I have taken part in several group chats on Skype, I have found it far inferior to conference calls and even discussion boards (even given the time issues) for this type of communication. When there a few people chatting, people are typing at the same time, messages are being posted taking the conversation in different directions all at once, responses to those messages further fragment the group and the topic, and you end up with sub groups concentrating on their own little part of the conversation. No one really has any control over the chat. The conversation has no structure, at least on message boards, people can post their comment and get orderly replies. Here it all happens at once. It was like watching the old trading floor at the stock exchange during a "bullish" run, everyone yelling and reacting. I found myself sitting at my computer screaming "SELL SELL". For me, group style of chat is confusing, frustrating and hard work to take part in .

One on one instant messaging... Yippee. Group instant messaging... Boo, Hiss