Those of you going to PLA will probably find it easier to complete this "Instant Messaging" assignment before you go!
Sign out of your e-mail and sign into the ComAgent (globe icon labelled "ComAgent" on desktop).
Your ComAgent log-in is the same as your e-mail log-in, and in fact opens your e-mail along with other stuff.
The globe icon appears in the lower right of your screen, near the time and temperature.
Right-click on that globe, and go to "Send an instant message".
1. Is anyone online? Who?
If you don't see any names on that list, you need to "Add to Buddy List". Be sure to add at least everyone who works in your department (for future reference), and add anyone else who is currently working who might IM you for this assignment.
2. IM with someone about your blog favorites, or something related to work.
3. What would you say you like and dislike about instant messaging? (feel free to IM about this too!)
4. Do you think this will be a workable way to answer reference questions?
Be sure to right-click and logout or shut down the ComAgent, or your mail will still be open.
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11 comments:
Madeline was nice enough to log on so that I could IM here on Saturday since no one else was on. I have used IM before and have done so for many years. AIM, Yahoo and MSN messenger are the ones I have used and they all pretty much work like ComAgent, it just doesn't have all the bells and whistles the others have.
We IM'd about work related things and apparently a guy upstairs will be receiving a letter in the mail about inappropriate usage of our Internet.
We also chatted about Castle Corona and how none of the copies are in yet for the book group doing it. A school has one a month over due!
I have always enjoyed IMing with people. I find it a little harder to do while out on the ref. desk because people are here in-person asking questions and then the button flashes that I have a new IM and I hate making the IM person wait. Other than that I think it's a good thing, much faster than email.
I guess it would be workable to answer reference questions. Would this be out at the ref. desks or back in our workroom? Again if it was at the ref. desk the people IMing us need to know that we have patrons to help in the library too so they might have to wait a little bit.
I im'ed with Madeline and Kate re: budget and using this for reference questions. It was fun having a 3-way conversation, but I found the blinking to be annoying and felt that I had to stop what I was doing to check it. It quite possibly could be a good reference tool, but I don't think we should start it this summer - too much else going on. Vida
What I like about IMming:
It's nice that I can read and respond at my convenience, and that I don't have to get up and walk over to a different location to say something.
What I don't like:
It's bad that I don't have to get up and walk over to a different location to say something, because I can use all the exercise I can get.
Judy and I discovered that when you IM, anyone using that same computer can read anything you've sent by checking your history folder. (Everybody's history folder pops up when you go to access your own.) You can delete things, but the conversation still exists in the recipient's folder unless they too delete it. Very interesting, no?
After I posted my first two comments, I read other peoples' comments and noticed that both Melissa and Vida took the "Instant" part of IM literally, while I did not. I guess I didn't feel the person with whom I was messaging was anxiously waiting for my response. If I was expecting a response, I just figured that I'd get one when my Buddy was ready. Frankly, if I need an instant response, I will make it a face-to-face question, or pick up the phone. Wouldn't you?
I IMed Kate and Carolyn (at different times) and found it helpful, though it would have been just as easy to talk face to face. Anyway Kate and I discussed possible uses for the reviews I've posted to GoodReads. I use LibraryThing for adult books and GoodReads for kid books.
Like Carolyn I don't think of the "instant" part of IMing. (The grammar of this is driving me crazy).
I can see how IM might be helpful but not necessarily for a reference question needing an immediate response.
Honestly, for me IM doesn't make good use of my time. I would rather justspeak to whoever instead of thinking how I am going to compose an IM.
I had trouble using Comagent on Geyref2 to get into my email. Someone else's (I won't mention any names) kept automatically opening, and I never was given the opportunity to enter my name/password. I tried both logging out and shutting down Comagent, but everytime I reopened Comagent, "my friend's" inbox opened (I didn't peek at any emails.) I finally found the page for entering name/password, and "my friend" had checked the "Remember my Password" box. Oops! We can't do that on shared computers.
The hardest thing about the IM assignment was finding someone to IM with! Once that was sorted out, it turned out to be a fairly easy system. I don't usually like IM-ing, since it usually results in too many people talking to me at once, which is overwhelming, but I thing in this setting, since it's not meant to be a social tool, I can handle it :)
I IM'd with Carolyn and Kate regarding different technology-related tools we had been working with, as well as questions regarding a patron (A patron had asked if we had a high school vocabulary book, and Carolyn and I were able to update Kate in her office regarding our progress in the search). Overall, it could easily provide us with a quick communication tool in the department (someone at the desk could IM someone in the workroom with any questions or problems they need help with, rather than taking the time to call).
I can see this as a useful tool for reference if properly marketed to our users. It will only really be helpful if patrons know it's out there. Otherwise, I see it as just as effective (if not more so) as phone reference, especially if there are any questions regarding websites or online information, since URL's can just be copied and pasted.
Many people have commented that IM is not a good replacement for face to face conversation, and I agree. There's no real need to IM the person sitting next to you on desk; however, as a replacement for phone it can be useful, since a quick question on IM takes less effort than the same question over the phone. As a replacement for email, I think it's a great way to get instant answers to questions, etc. rather than waiting for the other person to check their email and write a response.
Rather than thinking of it as a full on replacement to other forms of communication, I like to think of it as an additional tool that can come in handy in certain situations. So overall, I think it's a great thing for us to be aware of and know how to use, but doesn't have to overshadow the other communication tools we already use.
I like IMing, it's a positive thing to see that flashing bar. It is convenient if you know someone is at their computer and need to ask a quick question. I do feel that people in person take precedence (if we were to IM for reference) and I don't feel like IMing requires an immediate response, it's at the respondents convenience. It's important, as Carolyn pointed out, that blogging is not really a good place for private conversations. But I do like having this additional way to communicate.
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