IRC Human Protocol Analysis 1

by Philip Shuman

Many people use 'instant messaging systems' such as irc, aim, icq, etc. in more of a time shifted message board system. In these cases, often some of the real time conversation protocols lead to drastic inefficiency. Take for example, getting someone's attention:

This is a waste of time and resources to send the first two messages in this exchange.

A more efficient way to have the above conversation would be:

I have yet to hear any good arguments as to why the first exchange makes more sense than the second.