Lack-of-Productivity Warning Level: Elevated

The wait is over.

Gmail chat has arrived! (For me. I know some of you already had it. Shush.) If you need to know why this is so awesome, it’s because of the aforementioned time-wasting possibilities. If you want to drop me a tip or a link or a puppy or just a hello, my Gmail name is simply mcquade at gmail dot com. (I don’t know why I do this. It’s not like I could get any more spam.)

Either way, time-waste away. It’s sort of part of my job, so I’m more than happy to help. The usual email and AOL IM name remain the same, etc. etc.

Feb. 6: Google to integrate IM client into Gmail

Google to integrate IM client into Gmail

I don’t try to ignore the reason some of you read this site: You have nothing better to do than waste time at work. That is, of course, okay. I am happy to contribute to a decline in the productivity level of American workers; we all work too hard, anyway. And maybe you read my site, get a little informed and amused, and return refreshed and ready to go save the world by working for the American Red Cross or something.

Because the blog world is so link incestuous and we all spend a majority of our time reading other people’s blogs — when we’re not bashing newspapers for hating blogs — and on other random time-wasting websites. I realize that some of you don’t sit on IM all day, since your work blocks it. Boo, I say, boo.

Most businesses don’t block free email clients, however, and there is great news today on that front: Google is integrating Google Talk, its (largely ignored) IM client, into Gmail. Meaning you’ll be able to chat (and store your conversations) in Gmail.

For those of you who hate instant messaging, this is another annoyance. For those of you who don’t write letters on parchment, this is the best thing ever. It’s a way to chat without installing a chat client, and a way to get around blocks of said blocks on instant messaging at work!

The New York Times says the product is being rolled out today, with Gmail Chat making its way to all accounts by February. Mine doesn’t have it yet, but if you want to send a tip or a link or whatever, my Gmail address is just my last name.

Let the time-wasting begin.

Gmail + Gtalk = Next Step in Separate Internet Plan [InterMedia]
New Google Service to Blend the Gmail and Chat Features [NYT]
Yesterday: Blogicized: The easy one-liner edition