Is IM Good?

IM, the shortname for Instant Messaging. Examples include the famous ICQ, and MSN as well as Yahoo Messenger and many others that appear after ICQ got famous. The Pros of IM, countless.

From being able to get instant reply from your friends so long both of you, or even a few of you are online, even if you are worlds apart. You can use a webcam and voila, a video conferencing is happening. You can send documents straight away without bothering how heavy the file is (unlike if you want to email to your friend)

The cons, it is being used for so many uses that sometimes, I would feel that there is a lack of personal touch in it. You use IM to keep updated with your friends, your colleagues, your acquaintances. In it, you talk about anything from how are you, to how's the weather.

Is IM really a suitable tool to discuss business deal? Maybe as it is indeed more convenient at some times.

Is IM suitable to discuss your job be it a promotion or a demotion or a retrenchment etc? Imagine if your boss MSN you and say, ok your contract will be extended. As you are reading this from your screen, will you feel any elated feelings? Or are you void of any emotions? How about if your boss tell you that your services will not be required any longer. Will you get angry due to the fact that you are not needed anymore or the fact that your boss had used an IM to convey a message which, in your opinion ought to be a face to face topic?

How about couples? Can a guy chase a gal using IM? So that at least he can save himself from some embarassment if she rejected him? Will you IM a girl and say, "Actually I have fallen in love with you since xxx months ago".

And if the love turn sour, can a boyfriend also MSN the girlfriend, "Sorry but I feel that we are incompatible. You deserve someone better." Will the girl be able to take it, would she prefer an IM message than a face to face rejection? Is IM really helping you or harming you? By using IM for every single events, have you no respect for the men outside?

Is IM really that good??