Jybe being used in a library
May 10, 2005
The University of Northern Illinois is now using Jybe for their online reference service. You have to install the Jybe plug-in the first time you want to use it, but after that, you just click on a link and voila–connected to a librarian!
They have very good instructions for first-time users. Jybe does appear to still be asking for a "password" for the session, so that would probably be confusing. But I still think this is the next wave of virtual reference. You can co-browse, share documents, and chat…all without the clunky trouble-ridden software that is part and parcel of libraries’ current web-based chat services.
Goooooooo Jybe!
Thanks to Michael Stephens for pointing this out!
May 13th, 2005 at 10:45 pm
This sounds much like the service being provided by InfoEyes, a virtual reference service aimed at meeting the needs of those with visual impairments. It uses software from iVocalize to provide co-browsing, text chat, and voice-over-ip communications. And you don’t need to use the mouse — everything can be done with keyboard shortcuts. Check it out at http://www.infoeyes.org.