Carl Tyler's Blog

Category None
The poll is:

Now that IBM offers free licenses for an integrated version of Lotus Instant Messaging with Notes 6.5.1, will you get rid of your standalone IM server?

1. Yes. We don't need or want to pay for additional IM licenses.
2. Yes. We like the integrated functionality that IM provides from within the Notes client.
3. No. We need the additional features that a separate IM server and license offers, such as the secure connection to AOL users.
4. We don't have a standalone IM server, but my company will now get IM since it comes with Notes 6.5.1.
5. We use an IM product other than Lotus Instant Messaging, but will get the Lotus product now that it comes with Notes 6.5.1.

Anybody else see what's wrong with this poll? Well it's option 3 "No. We need the additional features that a separate IM server and license offers, such as the secure connection to AOL users.". The problem with this is that Sametime does not offer a "secure" connection for AOL users, so for me none of these answers fit me. We use Sametime for IM but also for hosting e-meetings, even as a small company we save hundreds of dollars a month in travel expenses by being able to give demonstrations remotely. I hope IBM doesn't keep trying to split out the Web Conferencing capabilities of Sametime, as that is where the real benefits are.