Activity 22: Instant Communication

This activity has helped me become aware of the multitude of 'instant communication' options available. Although I am familiar with, and use skype, and have made use of the online chat facility available via the CSU library, I wasn't familiar with MSN messenger, Yahoo Messenger, AIM or google talk, google video and voice etc. I use skype to communicate with family in Victoria, but our internet connection isn't always great and personally I prefer to chat on the phone, rather than via glitchy video and voice. I have really appreciated CSU's online chat facility and think this is a great way for libraries to provide a service to their clients. I now understand that an instant messenger service for the library can occur via the library webpage, or via these other chat options, provided the screen name of the chat service provider is known (eg. davisrefdesk is the screen name for the UNL Unuversity Libraries IM librarian service). My teenage son has just recently purchased a headset with microphone, and he now chats to his friends as they play online games against each other. I'm not a great fan of these online games but I do concede that being able to chat and socialise whilst playing, is better than sitting quietly and only ineracting via the game.