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Is it time for IM to go?

August 22nd, 2008

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Last month I asked this question about blogs and today it hits me that maybe it’s time that instant messaging faded into the background.

IM used to be a huge part of my communications toolbox. When I was a PC user, I had Trillian loaded up so I could use MSN, AIM, Yahoo! and IRC. As time went by, I trimmed a little fat and went with MSN and AIM, since most of my Yahoo friends had accounts on these platforms as well. I got rid of IRC because I just didn’t use it anymore.

When I switched to Mac I loaded up Adium so I could have MSN and AIM once again, but I noticed that I was keeping MSN support for only one person. Everyone else had moved to AIM. Adding to the fact that Adium did not support voice or video chat, I wanted to ditch it in favor of iChat.

But that one friend remained. I began bugging him to dump MSN in favor of AIM, telling him that all the cool kids were doing it. Eventually he caved and I was able to dump Adium (and MSN) altogether.

Now, almost all my IM friends are on Twitter. We do all our sharing and direct communications there. I’d consider leaving iChat turned off if it weren’t for the three people on AIM who don’t have Twitter profiles.

Do I start harassing them to move on to newer technologies, or again am I being too hasty? For one thing, I certainly can’t get video chat directly in Twitter. I’d have to use U-Stream.TV or Qik, but those technologies are one-sided. Direct messaging on Twitter isn’t near as quick and easy as IM, and lately it’s been a little flaky anyway.

So, no. I don’t think it’s time for IM to go just yet. In fact, I think IM probably has a few good years left in it before it gets completely replaced.

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  • Hmm. I see Twitter and IM as two completely different mediums that aren't really interchangeable. Twitter's a lot more about broadcasting en masse whereas IM is all about conversations. Twitter's DMs and @'s are way too cumbersome to have an IM-style conversation. I do, however, have Adium update my IM status with my most recent 'tweet' for some hybridization (triple word score.)
  • I have found myself recently trying to get people to use Skype for skype-2-skype conversations. Now its not as easily accessible for those with limited bandwidth, firewall issues, or limited hardware (like no mic) but those issues are becoming more and more non-issues.

    The time I can take to say something and have a truly dynamic conversation vs. typing is rather small. And unlike a phone, I don't have to cramp my neck into weird positions and use only one hand. Also the screen collaboration plugin (YugmaSE) is awesome. IM just seems to be more of a pesky distraction more than a means of communication now.
  • Rolf
    I ditched IM a few years ago, but after I got a job I found out there were good reasons for returning to it. I'm even considering putting it on my businesscard. The main reason is that it is a very good mix between e-mail and phone. It is easier to leave messages than on phone, but not as lettery as an e-mail. I can simply leave a "hows that file coming along?" to a coworker, or a "dinner at five?" to my girlfriend, and theyll respond when they have a free moment. It is also faster than e-mail, and when you work in an open landscape, it is much more suited for personal chats than a phone. So I think the technology will live on and improve.
  • Go? No. I think they should actually be combined. Imagine having a heated twitter conversation that you could just click 'start a meeting room' where skype, video or IM would start up. I think it would be a great enhancement. As well, IM should integrate so that you can IM to Twitter or vice versa.
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