We are just wrapping up an end user survey to determine the kinds of information that people are seeking to do their jobs. Part of that survey focuses on communication tools, Web sites and other capabilities that people find useful. Here is a summary of what we found (if you'd like a copy of our findings, feel free to send me an e-mail asking for the report):

* Four out of five users find e-mail on their desktop computer to be valuable or extremely valuable in getting their work done, although a slightly higher percentage find e-mail on a laptop computer to be valuable.

* Nearly three out of five people find their desktop telephone to be valuable, but a significantly greater proportion find their mobile telephone to be valuable.

* Next in order of value are mobile e-mail, instant messaging and Web conferencing tools.

* We also asked about the value of social networking tools. One in eight find LinkedIn to be valuable or extremely valuable, while slightly fewer find Plaxo and Facebook to be valuable.

* In addition, we asked about the value of a variety of IT-oriented Web sites, including those of Network World, Infoworld, eWeek, Computerworld, TechTarget and TechRepublic and found a range of responses.

One of the more interesting findings from the research was about the value of Google’s search functionality – 82% of users consider it to be valuable or extremely valuable in helping them to get their work done, more valuable than e-mail, mobile communication collaboration tools.

Michael Osterman is principal analyst of Osterman Research.