This is an interesting tidbit in the ongoing progression of technology:

"In addition to concerns about e-mail security, there is the Presidential Records Act, which puts his correspondence in the official record and ultimately up for public review, and the threat of subpoenas. A final decision has not been made on whether Obama could go against precedent and become the first e-mailing president, but aides said that was unlikely..."

Obama may not be the first President to tell the back office guys to "figure it out", but that day is coming. Either he, or a very near term future President will be both unwilling and unable to give up email, IM, etc. Personally, I can't imagine being cut off from the net for 4 years, and I'm not sure that it's helpful. I don't think a corporate President/CEO can be effective without connectivity, much less the President of the country.