Your2ndPlace

A bit of a rant, but it is meant to be constructive...

Compare this:

[9:48] personwhosayshiallthetime: hi
[9:48] Nobody Fugazi: hi
[9:49] personwhosayshiallthetime: how are you?
[9:49] Nobody Fugazi: Fine, how are you?
[9:50] personwhosayshiallthetime: ok.
[9:51] Nobody Fugazi: ...

with this:

[9:48] personwhosayshiallthetime: hi, how are you?
[9:48] Nobody Fugazi: hi - doing fine thanks.
[9:50] personwhosayshiallthetime: ok.
[9:51] Nobody Fugazi: ...

Multiply the occurrence of each by 10. Which one is the most least annoying way to communicate?

In a world where instant messaging is so dominant, people haven't seemed to figure out how to instant message in a way that is not annoying. I'm not picking on anyone here, but here are the general rules I have on instant messaging in SecondLife:

• Get To The Point: The pleasantries are nice, but if you can fit your question or information on one line - for Pete's sake, do so. The odds are very good that the person you are instant messaging has other people that they are instant messaging. This means that you are not the center of the universe and you should try to demonstrate that you understand this.
• Don't Post Multiple Short Lines: With a bunch of people instant messaging at the same time, short lines are distracting and annoying.
• If your instant message isn't responded to or the person is offline: Paste it into a notecard and give it to the person. Offline IMs get capped a lot.

All of this simply takes a bit of thought about how your messages are received. Sure, you may have a cool avatar, but if you can't communicate properly and without annoying the heck of the people you're trying to communicate with - you're sunk. If you think voice will help with this, I think you'll be greatly disappointed.

If what you have to say is important - don't screw that up by being ignored. Message properly. Please.

Technorati Tags: Culture Miscellaneous SecondLife netiquette etiquette instant message