Plan, Provid e, Pus h: Social Software, Gently Applied Mason R.K. Hall FSU Libraries http://www.lib.fsu.edu Department of Technology and Research February, 2007 I will discuss… • What we did • Why we did it • How we did it • Where to next? http://www.lib.fsu.edu Instant Messaggging Dep pyloyment I assure you, this is all work related. http://www.lib.fsu.edu Why IM? • Departmental sprawl • IM is easy and widespread • IM fills a niche [phone] this is that niche [email] http://www.lib.fsu.edu • It’s really cheap – like free Did you say free? vs. http://www.lib.fsu.edu Other benefits for use • IM can be used to build a person’ s “presence” • Non-detrimental when absent • Lots of people are using it anyway – Legitimize it http://www.lib.fsu.edu Key Decisions • IM for the software or hardware platform? • User naming conventions • Promote more than one utilityyg for accessing IM (Meebo, Trillian, proprietary client)? http://www.lib.fsu.edu AIM • Already in use for library’s virtual reference • Strong base among early adopters • Some nice bllbells an d w hist les • Not an in-house silo • Free (sort of) • Supports use of email addresshttp://www.lib.fsu.edu as screen name Using Email Addresses for Screen Names E.g. mrhll@hall@ma iler. fsu.e du • Extends presence • One less thing to learn or remember • Already indexed and documented • Creates a wall between personalhttp://www.lib.fsu.edu and professional IM Multiple Utilities (llb)(AIM, Trillian, Meebo) • AIM client: preferred by many existing AIM users www.aim.com • Meebo: easy to use , web-based, good for road warriors www.meebo.com • Trillian: deployed for virtual referencehttp://www.lib.fsu.edu www. ceruleanstudios.com Multiple Utilities (llb)(AIM, Trillian, Meebo) • This can be confusing for some Services vs. Utilities • Explain to users: differences http://www.lib.fsu.edu Deployment • Early adopters/ Testers •Go-to person • Some hands-on training • Low-key as far as deployments go • Tip Sheet http://www.lib.fsu.edu Tip Sheets Contact Information Give them a Reason Clear Instructions http://www.lib.fsu.edu Illustrations! Outcomes • Less unnecessary email • Casual quality to IM • Better communication http://www.lib.fsu.edu Example: Wandering Workers • ALEPH Coordffdinator: Two offices – One IM Account • Uses in lieu of telephone for contact • Unlike email, instant feedback http://www.lib.fsu.edu Example: Website Collaboration • No more back and forth email • Make changes in real time • Utilize the me dium http://www.lib.fsu.edu Obstacles • Getting users to use http://www.lib.fsu.edu IM etiquette Good Bad Casual Tone Potty Mouth Away Messages ALL CAPITAL LETTERS Use of Emoticons Use of Emoticons http://www.lib.fsu.edu :D :( Where to next? • Expand the pool of users – Monthly walkabouts – Instructional Classes – Emerging tech brown-bags http://www.lib.fsu.edu Recap •What? – Instant Messaging: Choose your platform wisely •Why? – Instant and easy communication •How? – In form the user o f the bene fits, s how them •Where? http://www.lib.fsu.edu – The more the merr ier Questions? Comments? Mason Hall Email and AIM [email protected] Zoe Stewart-Marshall Emailhttp://www.lib.fsu.edu and AIM [email protected] .