A quick PSA about Google Chat

[bodlon]

Hi. I have a Gmail account. Which means, by extension, that I can (theoretically) use Google Chat. Sometimes, I even do. Those times are pretty awesome.

However:
- I (typically) do not have access during the day. If I’m showing up as “on” it means I’ve got my personal netbook on at work so that I can listen to music, and forgot to close my Gmail tab in Firefox. (Or possibly that I am on lunch, or have a day off from the dayjob.)

- My computer has a screen that is not significantly larger than a mass market paperback. Behold:

- I (usually) don’t spend my time staring at Gmail hoping that somebody will want to talk to me Right Now.

Does this mean I Will Not Chat With You? No. It just means that if Google Chat is running but my icon is red and I have something like “[insert witty away message here]” as my status, that I won’t see your chat either a) ever, because when I’m done working I’m going to save my remaining Firefox tabs and shut down, or b) until I am done doing whatever it is I’m doing, at which point I will feel like a jerk for ignoring your clever link, or your question, or your kind word, or your “hey, do you have a second?”

“But Christian,” you ask. “Why do you even have it running if you don’t intend to talk to people?”

Two reasons.

1) I’m lazy and/or forgetful. If I were smart I’d always turn Google Chat off except for the times I plan to use it. Often, I do. But I don’t always, and if it says I’m away/red, should I really have to?

2) I am talking to people. They just happen to be in a pop-out window because usually when I’m in chat I’m either working on a project with someone, or have planned to meet up with a friend online and am doing something specific. Either way, this is not happening in my Gmail tab anymore, and I cannot see you.

“But Christian, what if I really want to chat with you?”

E-mail me and ask if I have time to chit-chat. The funny thing about Gmail is that the page title changes when I’ve got unread mail, and I can see that if my tab is visible (which it isn’t always). Or, better yet, plan a time in advance with me. I can’t always guarantee very much time, but I can usually spare a half hour here and there.

I feel kind of ridiculous having to post this at all, except that I’ve discovered this morning that the incoming chat situation is way more common than I thought it was. I feel really badly about it because the people who are saying hi are people I’d happily make time with or answer questions for, and I thought the red/away thing was sufficient to flag that I’m not readily available.

Right. Now that I’ve got this sorted I’m going to stop feeling guilty so I can try and get some more words in on the novel this morning.

This post has been mirrored from Christian A. Young's Dimlight Archive. To see it in its original format, visit dimlightarchive.com

Comments

[sanginmychains]

For what it's worth, I have never once taken your silence in response to my "hi! how are you?" as a personal comment. I never expect anyone to be at their computer just 'cause the machine happens to be on.

That said, I'm always happy if you have a moment or two to chat. My gmail is on all the freakin' time, and sadly, sometimes I DO stare at it thinking, "maybe someone will talk to me!" Sad, but true.

[bodlon]

I confess, I have occasional moments of pawing the screen, but those usually arise only when I'm understimulated, and that's not particularly common for me right now.

OTOH, ping me in e-mail if you (and others! I was particularly bummed when I missed that you-H.-M. chat a while back) want to get together online now and again. That seems to be working really well for me and a couple of other folks. If I can schedule it, I'm all about it!