| Granted, Thanksgiving dinner at Grandma's is probably | | | | and brief. Anything lengthy or involved, particularly |
| the least favorite holiday for teenagers, so it's not | | | | business stuff, means you should probably pick up |
| surprising that the number of instant messages | | | | the phone or send a regular email message. |
| placed on Thanksgiving Day increases each year. But | | | | 4. Learn how to set up features in your IM program |
| texting your friends during Thanksgiving dinner, or | | | | when you taking time off during the holidays. Taking |
| sending out that client email on your Blackberry? Is | | | | a break around the holidays means a rare and |
| that proper net etiquette or holiday etiquette? | | | | welcomed chance to get away from your computer, |
| Probably not - let's explore a few tips for socially | | | | Blackberry, PDA and any other devices you have, at |
| responsible Blackberry and IM etiquette for the | | | | least for work. So set up an away message using |
| holiday season: | | | | your IM program and set the dates accordingly, then |
| 1. Generally, when others are expecting your | | | | remember to turn that feature off when you return |
| attention in a live conversation (whether in person or | | | | to work. Microsoft Outlook generally will do this for |
| in a phone call), it's inconsiderate to divert your | | | | you when you re-open the program after being |
| attention to checking your email, or text messaging | | | | away. |
| someone else. There are of course exceptions that | | | | 5. Many of us like to catch up on year-end stuff |
| are fine such as a sick family member, or newborn | | | | even if you are working during the week between |
| baby on the way, but for everyday emails and IMs, | | | | Christmas and New Years. One great way to do this |
| the person sitting across from you will generally find | | | | is to turn your devices off and just focus on getting |
| this inconsiderate. And yes, this applies to sitting at | | | | your paperwork in order, or year end tax items, or |
| the Thanksgiving dinner table as well - it may be your | | | | anything else that needs your attention that you've |
| only chance all year to catch up with the | | | | neglected during the year. You likely neglected that |
| grandparents, and remember, don't they at least give | | | | stuff because you had all those devices turned on in |
| you a check or card with money in it during the | | | | the first place! |
| holidays? So be considerate during holiday meals at | | | | 6. Most importantly on the list of short tips, be |
| least! And as to the Blackberry crowd, in a meal | | | | careful when driving this holiday season with many |
| setting, turn the device off completely - no vibrate | | | | more cars on the road and people likely using their |
| mode! | | | | cell phones and other devices. Nearly 3,000 people |
| 2. Remember to always check with the other person | | | | each year are killed when talking on their cell phones |
| to see whether they are available before jumping | | | | while driving, and this doesn't account for using |
| right into an IM conversation. Even you're not at the | | | | Blackberrys or text messaging which is even more |
| dinner table yet, your friend may just be sitting down | | | | dangerous. |
| for dinner and may not be available. So always check | | | | Have a safe and happy holiday season, catch up on |
| first with the other person by sending a 'YT?' (you | | | | that year-end stuff, and take some time off from |
| there) message. | | | | those electronic devices this season (except of |
| 3. Text messages and even Blackberry emails, | | | | course for any new gadgets you receive as holiday |
| particularly around the holidays, should be information | | | | gifts)! |