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TechTracks: Instant Messaging (IM)

TechTracks: Instant Messaging (IM). Amanda Stone South Carolina State Library 803-734-4816 E-mail: astone@statelibrary.sc.gov IM: AStonescsl. IM definition. “a form of real-time communication between two or more people based on typed text” Reasons to use Easy collaboration

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TechTracks: Instant Messaging (IM)

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  1. TechTracks: Instant Messaging (IM) Amanda Stone South Carolina State Library 803-734-4816 E-mail: astone@statelibrary.sc.gov IM: AStonescsl

  2. IM definition • “a form of real-time communication between two or more people based on typed text” Reasons to use • Easy collaboration • Less intrusive • Saved conversation (Wikipedia, Instant Messaging, 12/6)

  3. IM and teens • 75% of online teens use IM • Half of instant-messaging teens — or roughly 32% of all teens — use IM every single day. • Email is “something you use to talk to ‘old people,’ institutions, or to send complex instructions to large groups.” (2005 Pew Internet & American Life survey)

  4. Statistics/Use of Instant MessagingIt’s not just “those darn kids” anymore • More than 4 in 10 online American adults IM • 24% of this population swap IMs more frequently than email • Increasingly used both at home and at work (2004 Pew Internet & American Life survey)

  5. Reasons to have IM • Easy for librarian –and- user • Constant presence with user • Speed of transaction • Document, image, URL, voice sharing • More reliable than traditional co-browsing software • Reaches hard-to-reach population-twenties, teens, online and independent users (the Google generation) FREE

  6. AIM (AOL’s IM) Yahoo! Messenger Windows Live Messenger (MSN) Google Talk ICQ QQ (China) Gadu-Gadu (Poland) Meebo Trillian Gaim IM Clients Single-Platform Clients Multi-Platform Clients

  7. AIM • Most popular client in US with 53 million active users Many different options • Downloaded client • Web-based client • Mobile client (cell phones, PDAs) • IM Pro available: integration with Outlook, encrypted security

  8. Sign up for AIM account • www.aim.com • Choosing name • Personal name, library name • Established AOL account username • Register for account • Check email, verify account

  9. meebo • Multi-platform client • Can be logged into more than one type of account at the same time (AIM, Yahoo, MSN, etc) • Web-based • Do not have to download any software • Easy to accidentally log out of • Very basic IM features

  10. MeeboMe • Can have patrons chat right from your webpage. • Patrons don’t need an IM client, just Internet • MeeboMe on your MySpace page

  11. Internet slang, acronyms, emoticons IM users commonly use some shortcuts No need to panic! FWIW TTYL *g*, <g> [_]> THX = TX = THKS=Thanks! • L8R • BRB • THX • :-) ;-) :-P

  12. IM Reference @ your Library • IM community assessment • Informal survey of IM practice • Staff training • Time to play • Good support documents • IT involvement • Technology needs • Concerns over security (Tips & Strategies for Launching an IM Reference Service/ Amanda Etches-Johnson)

  13. IM Reference @ your Library • Staffing the IM desk • Reference desk/personal desk/other • Hours • Let your community know • Blog, handouts, signs, email, contact local schools, website, newspaper, local morning news, interpretive dance outside city hall (maybe not) • Evaluate program • Transcript analysis, staff input, statistics

  14. IM Tips & Tricks • IM reference is still a reference interview • Explain what you are doing • Send short messages • Send attachments or email later • Use away message • Don’t worry about perfect spelling, grammar • Scripts for certain events: inappropriate questions, out-of-scope questions

  15. SMS (text messaging) reference*Two trainings for the price of one* • Close to half of teens (45%) own a cell phone, and 33% have used a cell phone to send a text message. (Pew, 2005) • Southeastern Louisiana University: Text a Librarian Curtin University of Technology (Australia)

  16. Security/Safety • Same security fears as email • Teach patrons not to talk to strangers • Don’t click on URLs or accept documents you don’t trust • Be careful with screen names: ASmith29201 or CayceGrrl21 • SPIM=spam for IM • Unsolicited commercial messages sent via an IM system • Learn to block or warn users

  17. Concerns? • What are your Concerns? • Questions? • Comments?

  18. Resources • 􀂄 http://del.icio.us/techtracks • 􀂄 http://librarytrax.wordpress.com

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