I agree with the author probably to the 75% mark, but not to the full 100% kill. One key benefit of IM is being able to be the "next available interrupt". i.e.

I agree with the author probably to the 75% mark, but not to the full 100% kill. One key benefit of IM is being able to be the "next available interrupt". i.e. if team members have headphones on, we are only allowed to bother each other through IM which we say, "when you're available..." allowing the other party to effectively keep their current train of thought until it's complete. Personally, I actively push conversations either to personal or to email depending on the situation. IM is great and fills a particular space, but it's when people hold onto it too long it becomes a problem. This can be said for email chains that are too long or face-to-face conversations that lack notes. Each has their problems, but also their place and is still useful.