Don't want to work... want to get paid for chatting instead!
July 20, 2007 8:42 AM Subscribe
Anyone know of any good internet based IM sites...
My friend is leaving work in a few weeks, and as he is up to date with all his deadlines he has not a lot to do about the office. He is wanting to chat with friends online but most of the IM based websites he tries are blocked by the I.T department (fun ruining scum they are).
We have tried the obvious ones that show on google when searched for example emessenger and meebo but to no avail.
Anyone have any ideas?
My friend is leaving work in a few weeks, and as he is up to date with all his deadlines he has not a lot to do about the office. He is wanting to chat with friends online but most of the IM based websites he tries are blocked by the I.T department (fun ruining scum they are).
We have tried the obvious ones that show on google when searched for example emessenger and meebo but to no avail.
Anyone have any ideas?
2nding the gmail chat. However, it's blocked at my work, so it may be at yours too.
posted by The Deej at 8:54 AM on July 20, 2007
posted by The Deej at 8:54 AM on July 20, 2007
OKcupid has IM. You can only IM other OKcupid users though, of course.
Also, maybe some of the browser-based clients here will work? Can you provide any details as to what methods they use to block various IM clients and websites?
posted by gauchodaspampas at 9:04 AM on July 20, 2007
Also, maybe some of the browser-based clients here will work? Can you provide any details as to what methods they use to block various IM clients and websites?
posted by gauchodaspampas at 9:04 AM on July 20, 2007
Sorry about that...missed the fact that you mentioned Meebo in the OP.
I'm assuming if Meebo is blocked, KoolIM won't work either?
posted by clpage at 9:10 AM on July 20, 2007
I'm assuming if Meebo is blocked, KoolIM won't work either?
posted by clpage at 9:10 AM on July 20, 2007
Also, you might try some of the methods described here or here. As the author mentions though, unless your IT department... well, sucks, you might not have much luck. Probably a better chance than trying every single IMing webapp out there though.
posted by gauchodaspampas at 9:20 AM on July 20, 2007
posted by gauchodaspampas at 9:20 AM on July 20, 2007
Response by poster: I do not work at the same place as my friend so would not be able to tell you what methods they use to block websites.
What i can say though is that i know they will sometimes let you use certain websites ie facebook, but will not let you use all the applications on there.
I am not very computer savy but i am guessing that it must be quite a good blocker thingy they use if it can do this?
posted by spotty_dog at 9:21 AM on July 20, 2007
What i can say though is that i know they will sometimes let you use certain websites ie facebook, but will not let you use all the applications on there.
I am not very computer savy but i am guessing that it must be quite a good blocker thingy they use if it can do this?
posted by spotty_dog at 9:21 AM on July 20, 2007
Haha. I'm also not as computer savvy as I'm trying to make myself out to be. But the problem is I don't think it is all that hard to block specific widgets/apps/objects/whatever on websites is that hard to do, if one is minimally savvy as far as IT folk go, and is willing to put in more than the very minimal amount of effort. Since they are not just blocking specific URLs, but rather allowing some of them, but not all of their content, that probably rules out option #1 in that second link. It also means your friend's IT department probably is not completely incopetent. Maybe they haven't pulled out all the stops though, who knows? But I guess the only way to find out is to try. Also, to help in your quest, I googled for things like " proxy server, proxy, IM, jabber, xmpp, 'at work', browser, block, blocked, bypass". Try various different combinations of these search terms, and other similar ones you can think of. Maybe you'll come up with something. (Also, this is not meant as a scolding for not trying google first, just advice on what might be helpful for techniques more advanced that just trying all the IM webapps out there).
Also, calling all people who are more savvy with the internets than I. Am I completely off base with any of this? Please let us know. I'm just doing my best, which is not a whole lot.
posted by gauchodaspampas at 9:48 AM on July 20, 2007
Also, calling all people who are more savvy with the internets than I. Am I completely off base with any of this? Please let us know. I'm just doing my best, which is not a whole lot.
posted by gauchodaspampas at 9:48 AM on July 20, 2007
Response by poster: VPN to his home computer, run the client on there?
No idea what this even means.... Sorry!!!
posted by spotty_dog at 10:17 AM on July 20, 2007
No idea what this even means.... Sorry!!!
posted by spotty_dog at 10:17 AM on July 20, 2007
Try ICQ's web client. I think they're calling it ICQ to Go.
posted by Area Control at 12:21 PM on July 20, 2007
posted by Area Control at 12:21 PM on July 20, 2007
If he's looking for a web-based chat client simply because he can't install anything, have him try Portable Apps. They are portable (meaning nothing gets installed anywhere except the folder you specify), easy to uninstall (simply delete the folder), and aren't affected by windows xp's security settings for not allowing installs.
posted by pontouf at 3:04 PM on July 20, 2007
posted by pontouf at 3:04 PM on July 20, 2007
TightVNC lets you remotely control another computer.
He just needs to tell the IT guys that he needs to VPN to his home computer and will they open the port for it.
Done....and done.
posted by TomMelee at 3:29 PM on July 20, 2007
He just needs to tell the IT guys that he needs to VPN to his home computer and will they open the port for it.
Done....and done.
posted by TomMelee at 3:29 PM on July 20, 2007
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by box at 8:44 AM on July 20, 2007