Today I got jiggy with it. OK maybe that's not the right phrase, but I feel like I accomplished my goal of setting up and getting my meebo organized. Meebo is an instant messaging system that allows you to pull together your IM accounts into one large umbrella system. So instead of just seeing the people who are "online" through yahoo and then logging off and entering a gmail account to IM another contact, I can see all my contacts on one screen. To me that is defintely a plus. This could be a beneficial tool for online office hours.
Granted this took a little bit of time on the front end. I had one friend who uses aim (the america online version of messaging) and I had to create a aim account so that I could get her on my list there and then I could import my account there into meebo. I found AIM a bit more confusing than the other message programs.
The other confusing part is that I have to sign into my meebo account and at that site you sign into all the other networks. Because my default is to automatically be signed into yahoo when I start my computer, and because I don't have any friends that are only using the MSN network, I only have to sign on to the AIM and Google (gmail) accounts. Again, meebo pulls in all the logins into one screen, but I still have to remember passwords and login names for each account. But I'm sure once I do this a few times it will be second nature and much easier to remember.
Other pluses to meebo that I've discovered:
* I can send files to people through the IM function (at least to a yahoo account buddy).
* The receiver can stay in whatever program they are using and it interfaces well.
* It appears that video/audio chatting is a capability (I will have to get a camera and microphone soon to check it out)
* With yahoo buddy, I could still see the "typing" function which tells me that the other person is in the process of typing a message back to me. Personally, I like that feature. I don't think the same message appeared though with the person I experiemented with who was typing through AIM
Overall, I've found that I like the yahoo system best. There are alot of options (tools and toys) available there that make IM'ing more interactive and fun. I'll never forget one of my first experiences chatting with Kirsten Hofmann (Paul Hofmann's wife). We explored all sorts of features (tic tac toe, dual drawing, emoticons, games and chat backgrounds). It was a blast and I was literally in tears from laughter a few times. As an interpersonal teacher, that "immediacy" between communicators was much higher through that program then just typing back and forth as is the case with other im services.
* Note: Which IM service/network gives students the greatest sense of immediacy would make a great small group discussion for Interpersonal Communication. In Intercultural we could talk about the cultural influences and factors for what would be "most appropriate" for different cultural values.
So I guess I learned alot today on my sabbatical.
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