[RTEI IM is now a Twitter feed. Follow @umbut]
An experiment. If you are working in a research environment that is facing a challenge, RTEI is available to offer general assistance. One way to get in touch is to use an Instant Messaging interface. I’ve got one set up via Yahoo IM. It’s pretty easy to install Yahoo IM, and you can use other IM agents, such as Meebo or Trillian, if you have a preference.
Though IM has a reputation as a text-abbreviated chat window, it also can be used for work interactions. It has the advantage of immediacy, like a phone call, without the full on effort of keeping a phone conversation going–there can be pauses in the exchange. IM text tends to be shorter than emails, and doesn’t have to be saved at all–it is a transitory communication forum that allows text exchange to work like oral communications. You can turn it off or on, so it doesn’t have to interfere with the rest of your work day–it’s like being able to turn off your phone, or have it only ring through the folks that matter in the moment–wow–what a concept.
If you have questions from time to time about policy, general strategies, templates for research or licensing, or how to handle various kinds of issues that arise in managing technology or IP, or managing a technology transfer or sponsored projects office, then you might try out RTEI IM. You can be invisible to everyone on the net, so no one has to know you are there. You can quit whenever you like. It’s not a big deal. Especially if you are at a small office and would like to extend your access to expertise, this may be a good, low overhead way to go at it. Unlike a listserv or discussion group, you don’t have to broadcast your questions to the world. It can be a one-on-one exchange.
RTEI is especially interested in helping folks sort out new practices (even if just new to them) and develop innovative responses to opportunities to innovate and entrepreneurp.
To get started, create a Yahoo IM (or other agent) account (if you don’t have one). It can be web based, or you can download software to your workstation and run it from there. Yahoo IM Messenger 9 is available at this link:
http://messenger.yahoo.com/
Once you have chosen a user name and a password, you can create a link to RTEI’s IM account by requesting RTEI UW as a contact. To do this, from the main Messenger window, select the Contacts menu, and the “Add Contact” item. In the box, type “RTEI UW” and the “Next” button. This will send a message to RTEI and when we’ve confirmed it, we will be linked up as IM contacts.
To send an IM, click on RTEI UW in your contacts list, and type stuff in the box at the bottom. The size of each message is limited, so keep stuff short. You can send files through IM as well as text, so there are ways to move around larger chunks of text if necessary. IM also provides a back up in case your email server goes down (this happens!). As long as you still have internet access, your IM agent will stay up and working.
I usually start an IM with a “ping”– a short query–“Hi” or “Have a moment?” And end with something that makes it clear that the long pause to follow is not just an interruption but I’m moving on–I tend to use “cu” for “see you”. “bye” or “thanks” or “gotta run” work as well.
If you have questions about IM, you can send email to barnett (at) rtei.org