I ditched IM a few years ago, but after I got a job I found out there were good reasons for returning to it. I'm even considering putting it on my businesscard. The main reason is that it is a very good mix between e-mail and phone. It is easier to leave messages than on phone, but not as lettery as an e-mail. I can simply leave a "hows that file coming along?" to a coworker, or a "dinner at five?" to my girlfriend, and theyll respond when they have a free moment. It is also faster than e-mail, and when you work in an open landscape, it is much more suited for personal chats than a phone. So I think the technology will live on and improve.
