Post on 27-Mar-2015
It’s All Pidgin to Meebo
Crystal GoldmanUniversity of Utah
MPLA/ULA 2008 ConferenceSalt Lake City, Utah
Meebo v. Pidgino Why not use traditional
chat reference?o Why these programs?o Background of eacho Featureso Pros/Cons of eacho Personal Recommendations
Deficiencies of Chat Referenceo Multiple chat protocols that
patrons might prefer to useo AIM, GoogleTalk, ICQ, MSN,
Yahoo, etc.
o IM is single-user, and library reference departments are multi-usero Need one public identity, but
multiple librarians
Why Pidgin and Meebo?o Freeo Interface with embeddable
widgeto Trillian
o Multiple chat protocolso libpurple
oProgramming library o Connects to/interfaces with all chat
networkso Manages accounts and preferences
Meebo Historyo Created by Seth Sternberg, Elaine
Wherry, and Sandy Jen in 2005.o Received funding from Sequoia
Capital in December 2005 and Draper Fisher Jurvetson in January 2007
o Six chat protocolso Embeddable Meebo Me widget o Meebo Rooms to embed a chat
roomo Firefox extension, browser sidebar
with buddy list
http://www.meebo.com
Pidgin Historyo Formerly Gaim, created in
1999 by Mark Spencero Dispute with AOL for their AIM
naming trademarko Fifteen chat protocolso Allows developers to create
their own custom plugin applications
http://www.pidgin.im
Finch and Adiumo Finch is the text-based version of
Pidgino Adium
o Pidgin’s sister project for Mac OSXo Like Pidgin, it uses a plugin system
o essential features provided through plugins
http://www.adiumx.com
Meeboo Pros
o Web-basedoAccessible from anywhere with
the internet
o Simple user interfaceo Video/Audio Conferencing
o Conso Logging in bumps other users
offlineo Does not log chats from
widget
Pidgino Pros
o Pidgin4lib - feature/plugin specifically targeted at library needs
o Interfaces with Meebo widget using a plugin
o Logs all chats regardless of origin
o Conso Complicated interface, high
learning curve o Plugin system, must update
manuallyo Must download to each computer
o Portable app on USB driveo Windows only, must use a sister
program in order to switch to Mac
Sources ConsultedAbout Adium. (2006). Retrieved April 12, 2008, from
http://trac.adiumx.com/wiki/AboutAdium
About meebo: Instant messaging everywhere. (2008) Retrieved April 20, 2008, from http://www.meebo.com/about
Adium. (2008) Retrieved April 5, 2008, from http://www.adiumx.com
Casey, M. E. & Savastinuk, L. C. (2006) Library 2.0. Library Journal 131(14): 40-42.
M is for meebo: the meebo story—live and uncut. (2008) Retrieved April 16, 2008, from http://www.meebo.com/history
Pidgin Portable. (2008) Retrieved March 31, 2008, from http://portableapps.com/apps/internet/pidgin_portable
Portable Adium. (2008) Retrieved April 20, 2008, from http://www.freesmug.org/portableapps/adium
Wells, C. A. (2003) Location, location, location: The importance of placement of the chat request button. Reference & User Services Quarterly 43(2): 133-137. Retrieved March 7, 2008 from Library, Information Science & Technology Abstracts.
What is Pidgin? (2008) Retrieved April 5, 2008, from http://www.pidgin.im/about