Blocking Instant Messaging Apps

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I spent a few hours at the hospital the other day and discovered the hospital’s network blocked every messaging application — Web-based and stand-alone application. I understand they don’t want their staff — especially medical staff that must respond quickly — chatting away. But what about those of us trying to communicate with friends and family members about the status of a loved one?
I had my Sidekick, so I could use AIM. But I took shortcuts in our conversations as it’s tedious to type on the little device as opposed to a notebook. This was in the waiting room by the ICU, so it’s not like these patients are the type to come and go. My mom rarely goes home between visiting hours and I’ve hardly talked to her in the past couple of weeks. Most of my updates come second hand.
Granted it could be a security issue. The hospital could offer ONE option on its “blocked” message page. Tried Meebo, Trillian, original apps like AIM and MSN Messenger. Attempted to find others through searching and those were blocked too. Is there a middle ground for an organization and its customers?

3 thoughts on “Blocking Instant Messaging Apps”

  1. I’d try Google Talk. If you don’t have it, create a gmail account and you’ll be all set. (There’s a client for windows as well as a client built in to the web interface of gmail). Another thing you could try is skype. It’s pretty good at busting through firewalls.

  3. I think it’s all Google Talk. This is primarily a text messaging application, but some of the clients have voice chat support. Gmail registration is free, so everybody can create their own account. If they don’t want one, Google Talk uses the open jabber protocol, making it possible to create a jabber account somewhere else and use that to connect to google talk.

    I do realize that if all your friends are on MSN, it’s not really a solution to use some other messaging system. However, I got the impression that what you wanted was a messaging system you could use to talk (using text, not voice) from the hospital. My suggestions might help.

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