Instant Messaging and Meebo

I started using instant messenger, specifically AOL or AIM since I was probably 14, so over ten years. I've since had numerous screen names with AIM, as well as other services such as MSN Messenger, Yahoo, IRC and even Google Talk. If you're like me and get annoyed at your friends who all seem to use a different IM service then Meebo is your answer!

Meebo consolidated my 3 AIM names, 2 MSN names, 1 Yahoo name and 1 Google name into one easy to use service. Best part of all? It's web-based! No downloading and installing of any chat software. Sure this isn;t the only way you can get web-based IM. AOL has been offering a web-based version of AIM known as AIM Express for years. However, it still can't consolidate ALL of your different names into one.

There have been other programs that offer such a feature and they've been around for many years. I've tried some of them and in my opinion for a web-based application Meebo is easily the best. My one and only complaint about Meebo comes from the file transfer and "get-file" services, or lack thereof. Almost every time I've tried to send or receive a file with a buddy while using Meebo I've had to log out and log into the actual Chat client being used by the buddy I'm trying to transfer with. It is also impossible to access an AIM buddy's "get-file" list using Meebo. Despite these downfalls, which may be integrated over time, Meebo is still a great solution for the collaboration of all your chat clients.


INSTANT MESSENGER FOR LIBRARIES

In recent years more and more Libraries are offering "on-demand" reference help in the form of IM via the Library's website. My former employer Spokane County Library District now uses such a service and it's been well received. Due to staffing it's not likely that all libraries would be able to offer this service 24/7 but even if it were offered only during open hours it's still a fast and effective method for getting reference help from a library professional. A question of the pros and cons of using a Meebo Widget on FVRL's web site was brought up in the Discovery 2.0 blog. The pros are pretty straightforward and mentioned above. The cons would come in the form of compatibility. Just because someone wants to use the IM feature to contact the Library doesn't mean they already have an account with a chat service or that they want to take the time to create one. This would be the problem with using a Meebo widget. There are several types of integrated programs to use in place of this where a patron wouldn't have to have account with an IM service but they come with a small risk. In the event of someone trying to prank the Library using this service there would be no way to block a screen name like you could using a chat client like Meebo. Instead the prankster could just bring up the site and sent annoying, rude and obscene messages all day. With an account required service such as Meebo the prankster would have to keep creating new accounts which would no doubt deter his or her efforts.

There you have it. My thoughts on IM and how it is coming into libraries.

-J