Bonus Exercise: IM

gits May 10th, 2007

RU Ready 2 IM?

IM is short for instant message. It is a form of real-time synchronous communication between two or more people and is based on typed text. Believe it or not IM has been around for awhile, but became popular in the 90’s with AOL Instant Messenger, or AIM for short. Instant messages are more interactive than email, which is a form of asynchronous communication. Why? Because the text messages are sent immediately between individuals logged onto the same messaging system.

IM messages are generally short and designed for fast text interaction. IM has also created its own language; consider it the online short hand. Check out this TV commercial demonstrating the use of IM or text language.

There are many IM services available, some of the more popular ones include AIM, Yahoo! Messenger, Google Talk, and MSN Messenger.

So how can you send an IM to someone? In order to send an instant message you must have a username or ID with an IM service like AIM or Yahoo! Messenger. You must also know the username of the people you want to IM. Once you’ve created an account you can choose a client to use to send an instant message.

A client is the piece of software or a web application. There are some great tools out there that let you IM your buddies from all your IM accounts if you have more than one. These include Meebo, Trillian or Pidgin (formerlly GAIM). Some of these clients like Pidgin or Trillian you need to install onto your computer. Meebo is a web based product and can be used anywhere you have an internet connection. You simply go to their website and login, no need to call in systems to get the client installed on your machine!

Discovery Resources

Want to see how some libraries are using the Meebome widget on their webpage to connect with their users? Check these out:

Online IM dictionary-when you want to know how to say something short, or decipher what someone sent you :)

Discovery Task

1. If you don’t have an IM username you can create one using AOL instant messenger. If you already have a Yahoo! email or Gmail account you can use your email account to create an IM username with these products. Pick one of the following to create your IM account:

2. Now that you’ve created you IM account add nsutlc to your buddy list. We’ve created a username in AIM and Google Talk, so you should be able to find us.

  • First add nsutlc to your buddy list in your IM service account
  • Go to Meebo.com or AIM Express (both web based products)
  • Login using your IM service username and password
  • Find nsutlc on your buddy list
  • Is nsutlc online? If so send us an IM

3. Blog about your experience using IM.  What do you think about libraries using Meebo as an IM chat interface to provide reference assistance?

    Extra Extra Discovery Exercise

    Add the Meebome widget to your blog, your friends can then see when you’re online and send you an IM right from your blog.

    Instructions for installing the Meebome widget can be found at: http://www.meebome.com/

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