Chat or IM (Instant Messaging)

Instant Messaging (IM) has been around for a while now and almost every library offers chatting as an additional way to contact them. Meebo is the most popular instant messaging product and allows libraries to place a widget box on any page they like allowing users to simply type in a question to begin a session. Trillian is a close second with almost the same functionality as Meebo but without the lovely widget feature. In both of these products users are able to chat from any type of chat service they may be connected to from AOL, MSN, GMail and more. There are also avatar IM or 3D chat software such as IMVU and Second Life where virtual library service exists. Recently there is Skype a free video conference software that always you to talk online visually free.