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IM Reference. An Introduction by Gretchen Keer June 2005. What is IM? How do I use AIM? Chatting IM etiquette Shortcut to the shorthand Further reading. What is IM?. “Instant Messaging” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Instant_messaging Software AIM, Yahoo! Messenger, MSN Messenger, etc.
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IM Reference An Introduction by Gretchen Keer June 2005
What is IM? • How do I use AIM? • Chatting • IM etiquette • Shortcut to the shorthand • Further reading
What is IM? • “Instant Messaging” • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Instant_messaging • Software • AIM, Yahoo! Messenger, MSN Messenger, etc. • Communication tool, like the phone or email • Has its own shorthand
How do I use AIM? • Download the software • http://www.aim.com • Create a nickname & log in mccclibrarian • Build your buddy list
Chat one-on-one • Send URLs • Use the away message function
Emote with emoticons! • To make a smiley face, type :) • When you send your message, the :) will look like
Chatting • When someone wants to ask you a question, a little box will appear on your screen, like this:
“User ____ has sent you a message. Would you like to accept it?” • Click “Yes” • Then a little box like this will appear: • Type a response in the bottom half & click “Send” or hit enter.
Sometimes more than one IM will appear at a time. • Acknowledge each IM as it appears but don’t feel you have to talk to them all at once. • Ask the subsequent IMers to wait while you help the first patron in the virtual queue.
IM Etiquette • Think about it like a phone conversation • They can’t see you, so explain if you’re going to go look for something • Write in an informal voice; ignore typos unless they obscure your meaning entirely • If you feel comfortable, try out some shorthand expressions
Don’t type in all caps (that’s yelling) • Send a couple short messages rather than one long message • Don’t be afraid to ask an IM patron to wait if you’re busy • If needed, recommend the patron call or email instead
IM Shorthand • brb = be right back • lol = laugh(ing) out loud • ttyl = talk to you later • ttfn = ta ta for now • bbl = be back later • omg = oh my gosh/god • rotfl = rolling on the floor laughing • *g* or <g> = grin • yt = you too • thx = thanks
Further Reading • “Communication Strategies for Instant Messaging and Chat Reference Services” by Jody Condit Fagan and Christina M. Desai (in Digital Reference Services, ed. Bill Katz) • “How Americans Use Instant Messaging” Pew Internet & American Life Project by Eulynn Shiu and Amanda Lenhart (www.pewinternet.org/pdfs/PIP_Instantmessage_Report.pdf)