I have been using IM (instant messaging) for a number of years. I’d like to be able to identify when I started, but I don’t recall; it’s simply been a part of how I interact with people for a long time. Who do I chat with? And why?

I chat with colleagues, family, friends, and sometimes representatives from companies with whom I’m doing business. I IM with my mom, who was inspired when I moved away from the town where she lives and she didn’t want her long distance phone bills to grow too larege. I IM with my sister late in the evenings when we want to catch up. IM is quieter than chatting on the phone and it doesn’t wake the kids. I have IM’d with a representative of my DSL provider when I needed technical support. I have IM’d with other libraries with whom I am working on committees through ALA. I IM with friends if I see them online.

It made sense to me to begin using IM with my day job at ICFL. So last year I talked with my supervisor, then set about figuring out how to make that happen. The easy way is to just do it. But network security is an important consideration. Plus, there is a limit to what software I can download and install on the computer I use at the office. I figured, the best option would be a web-based application. I started with AOL Instant Messenger (AIM). I had been using AIM for years, it is easy, and it has a web-based interface that did not require any download. This would be great, except for one little thing: I didn’t think I could expect the Idaho library community to use only AIM. It would be more realistic to expect them to use Yahoo! Messenger, MSN Messenger, GTalk and AIM. Did I want to have 4 windows open on my computer to monitor all those accounts? Well, I didn’t have to. Enter Meebo.

Meebo is a free, web-based service that allows me to monitor 4 different IM accounts through one website. I read about it in an article written by Aaron Schmidt for Library Journal’s NetConnect (Link to the article via LiLI-D — Ebsco or LiLI-D login required). Because Meebo acts just like any other website and requires no downloading of software, it is very IT friendly with low risk to the internal network. Being IM, there’s still the possibility that someone can send me links to other websites or files. Just like with email, I need to careful about which links I follow; especially if they were unsolicited and sent by a stranger.

I’ve been a very happy Meebo user for about 6 months now. They continue to make updates to their product. It’s easy to operate, including adding new buddies to my buddy list.