Chat and Internet Telephone

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Chat and Internet Telephone

• Reach out and text someone

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What is IM?

• Instant messaging
• Real time, text based conversations

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IM What You Need

• IM client software, or web-based system (usually
  free)
• Account on one or more chat services (usually
  free)
• Username of the person(s) you want to talk to on
  the same service
• thats really it.

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Instant Messaging
Real-time, text based conversations.
User
Chat Service Server (AOL, MSN, ICQ)
Client Software (Skype, Trillian, AOL, ICQ, MSN)
Client Software (skype, Trillian, AOL, ICQ, MSN)
User
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Typical features of IM software

• Presence notification
• Buddy list
• Status indicator (invisible, busy, available)
• Ignore list

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IM Services

• Microsoft Network (MSN)
• America Online (AOL)
• ICQ (I Seek You)
• Yahoo
• IRC (Internet Relay Chat)

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The Problem this Raises

• Each service has own protocol
• Each service has own chat client
• They dont interoperate

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The Solution?

• Multiprotocol IM programs
• Trillian
• Zango Messenger
• Ayttm
• Kopete
• Downside is these systems dont support all bells
  and whistles of each client.

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IM is Everywhere

• Laptops
• Handhelds
• Cell phones
• Powerful point-of-need potential

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More than text

• Can send files of any kind
• URLS
• Audio/video chat

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IM Hazards

• Bots
• Viruses
• Wierdos

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(No Transcript)
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You Gotta Speak the Language

• IMHO (In My humble opinion)
• LOL (Laugh out loud)
• ROTFLMAO (Rolling on the floor laughing my ass
  off)
• YMMV (Your Mileage May Vary)

14
From the Pew Report

• 46 of 18-27 year olds use IM more frequently
  than email
• 35 of those IMing are 18-27 (largest proportion)
• 60 of teenagers report IMing classmates or
  teachers about homework outside of class
• IM use sharply stratified by age

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How its being used

• Virtual reference desk
• Virtual office hours
• Communicate with colleagues
• Of course, for fun

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Voice Over IP (VOIP)

• Real time audio conversations over the web
• Requires physical equipment
• International callingwith no long-distance fees
• Conference calling possible
• Dialing to land lines/cell phones
• Video conferencing

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When IM and Telephones collideSkype!

• IM-like features
• Account and profile
• Presence indicator
• Buddy list
• File upload
• Audio and video

• Phone-like features
• Dial normal phones or cells
• Voicemail
• Conference calling

http//www.skype.com No long-distance charges!
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Business uses of VoIP

• Training
• Videoconferencing
• Communicating with sales people in the field

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Some relevant stats from the Pew Report (as of
2004)

• 3 of internet users have used VOIP service at
  home
• 27 of internet users have heard of it
• 11 of internet users have made an internet
  telephone call

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Elements of a successful IM reference service

• Status page
• Advertise, advertise, advertise!
• Single reference account on multiple providers
• Multiprotocol chat client
• Set hours for the service
• Statistics!

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A Demonstration

• A chat reference transaction

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At UNLV

• http//www.library.unlv.edu/ask/chat.html

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A demonstration

• Chat in action!