Eye Current

Big Blue Slips Into The Governing Position

It’s not unusual for companies to have rules and guidelines for their employees in the workplace against discrimination, harassment, and the discussion of company property to outsiders, but is expanding these rules to the internet taking it a step too far? Well, IBM and Intel don’t think so. It was reported this week by The Associated Press (AP) that IBM has created a “code of conduct” for what IBM calls the “3D Internet”. However, Intel has taken a slightly more affable approach to the situation. They are drawing up a list of suggestions and organizing a course for Intel employees to take that covers all aspects of the “3D Internet”. The reason behind these rules and”suggestions”? Well, there is a whole lot of money involved in this pseudo-Internet. IBM and Intel now give presentations to clients, link up employees thousands of miles away, and hold business meetings. The users aren’t the only players with money tied up in this. IBM also has also started a “3D Internet” advising company for corporate customers. It wants to help customers design a “3D” business strategy. This idea isn’t as balmy as you may think. Their current customers already include Circuit City and Wimbledon. As for the rules set-up by these companies, well there are some peculiar ones. For instance one of IBM’s rules is that its employees must “create animated avatars with distinct appearances, personalities, and gestures.” They also warn employees of using more than one avatar and equate it as being the same thing as having more than one email address for personal and work related business. These rules are ‘building a reputation within a virtual word” and “abandoning your digital persona may be a violation of that trust”, IBM states. These rules, if violated, aren’t anything that will land the violator in the stocks, but more so to promote moral behavior amongst IBM’s employees. Sandy Kearney, Director of IBM’s 3D initiatives, compares IBM’s rules and regulations to “building a nation.” Some may consider it a little much to start laying down rules on something like a virtual life, especially considering that it is a big business. Where do the rules not apply? What if an employee uses his/her “virtual person” outside of work? Until all of that gets figured out I just hope Palmisano doesn’t get the wrong idea and take his new gig as president the wrong way.

Labels: internet

posted by RawburtG. @ 2:33 PM