Distractions and disruptions

43 folders, a blog I check semi-regularly, has a good post referencing an CNET article about how communications technology, in some cases with all the email and IM popups and such, has caused us to become less productive. Too many of us (I include myself in that us) are a slave to email and instant messaging. I know I check it too often, which often leads me away from the work I had at hand. If we could better block off our email management time, in the long run, we could probably get more done.