Note to everyone:

[thepeopleseason]

I work.

I go to my job in the morning, and I get on the computer. While I sign on to all my various communication services, I do not closely monitor them all the time.

Where am I going with this?

1. If you ask me what's going on, I'm going to tell you that I'm working. This is not an invitation to tell me everything that's going on with your day, your weekend, your life. While I am genuinely interested in what you would like to tell me, the middle of the workday is not necessarily the appropriate time, as it's more than likely that I'm either in the middle of creating code for my job or speaking with my co-workers about creating code for my job.
2. If we have a conversation, and I stop responding for an extended period of time, there is a high probability that I have been distracted with work-related subjects. This is in no way out of any disinterest to communicate with you. It is work.
3. If I don't answer you immediately after you message me, it's more than likely because I'm doing something work-related (such as creating code or having a meeting). If you're interested in talking to me, please don't just message me and then log off. That is akin to calling someone, hearing them pick up, saying something, and then hanging up.
4. I have this nasty tendency to leave myself logged in to my messaging clients around the clock. If you message me and I do not respond at all, it's likely because it's after hours. Send me a note on Twitter or Facebook, and I'll more than likely get back to you in a more timely fashion than if you wait for me to see your instant message when I come back to my computer at work.

Comments

[cee-m.livejournal.com]

I figure if I message you and you don't talk back that you've left your sign in up at work again.

[thepeopleseason.livejournal.com]

Yep--you understand. Not everyone does, though.

[h0stile17.livejournal.com]

I completely understand as I could have easily posted the exact same thing. I know that I never set myself as busy in Gtalk. That does not mean I am sitting there though.