Great tool, but often hard to manage. I liked some of Merlin Mann's e-mail productivity tips. Especially his reminder that e-mail (for the vast majority of us) should not be a real-time communication channel. If you need to contact someone NOW, pick up the phone, or use IM. Then batch process the e-mail. Also, loved his suggestion to just fire back a reply the first time you touch the message if it can be done in under 2 minutes. Why deal with the message twice? These are suggestions I can put in place at once, though I never have been obsessive about constantly checking my e-mail.
The e-mail program we use at work has some productivity features available. You can organize messages into folders, create rules for semi-automatically processing messages as they come in, etc. As far as I can tell I think our tech folks control the spam filtering feature of the software. At least, I can't see any settings available to me.
Instant Messaging
We instituted IM at our libraries several months ago. We're using it mostly for the ref staff to contact one another it's an alternative to the phone for some simple transaction style communication. It works well for that, offering an opportunity to slightly time-shift these reference interactions. I'm also seeing people use it for those quick, real-time communications between staff that e-mail doesn't do so well -- things like quick questions to a colleague, technical problem status updates, etc. A beneficial side-effect of using IM is that it helps colleagues bond a bit more. In systems with multiple branches, sometimes it's easy to loose touch with your co-workers at different locations. IM offers a quick, casual way to touch base. In those small branches with just one lonely librarian at the helm, it's a reminder that they're not alone. :)
Text Messaging
RU 4 real? No cell, no opp.
Web Conferencing
Minitex Session. Sadly, I have to report that my first experience with Minitex's webinars was very underwhelming. After registering and receiving a confirmation of the session, it turned out I never got a second e-mail I was supposed to receive that had the URL and other information in it necessary to actually get into the webinar (offered via Microsoft Office Live Meeting). So. . . much time wasted.
My rule of thumb for these webinars would be:
- The first time you attempt a webinar, you'll probably want to register for a session you don't really care if you miss (and one that has no fee).
- Then you'll want to either download the LiveMeeting software or check on technology requirements for accessing the web-based version of Live Meeting.
- Then make sure you have the right 800 number to call to get connected to the audio.
- Then double check that you've received the URL and entry code you'll need for the meeting (webinar) session.
Update - tried to attend a web conference on web design offered via Webjunction today 10/7/08. Sadly, the network connection at my branch library was down. Aargh, Qwest!. I seemed to be cursed when it comes to web conferencing.
