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IM anywhere and everywhere
IF you are the average internet user out there, chances are you use multiple instant messaging (IM) software to talk to your family and friends. At any given point in time, most of us have MSN Messenger or Yahoo! Messenger running simultaneously. Those who are really into IMs might also have AIM, Google Talk, Jabber or more running. The problem with this approach is that both your system and your internet connection slow down as these software communicate with their respective servers. Thus, to tackle this need of having a single application for all networks, Meebo.com was set up.
For those who don’t know, Meebo.com is the first of its kind web-enabled instant messaging service which connects all major IM networks through a single platform. This means that if you use Meebo, you can connect to all IM networks, including MSN, Yahoo! and Google, from your own Meebo webpage. That’s right: Meebo can provide people with a software-like experience from within a web browser. People no longer need to download and install software so there is no hassle related to installation and most of all, there are no worries about your software crashing or you being unable to log in to your IM when you really have to meet someone online.
Even better, the web IM service is ideal for people who use public or multi-user computers, such as at an internet cafe (as many of us do) or a shared home computer. How many times have people started receiving unwanted mails just because they have used a public computer to access their messenger? Countless I am sure but that won’t be a problem anymore. Meebo is even better for those are unable to use IM applications at work, school, or even at a friend’s house because of restrictions. For example, if your school or office administrator doesn’t let you install MSN or your friend doesn’t have Google Talk, no problem, just use Meebo.
To use Meebo, all you have to do is register on the website. Go to “Create Accounts”, enter your IM usernames and passwords for each service you would like to access and that’s it. A small messenger-like interface will pop up and you will be able to access all your IMs simultaneously. You will receive messages as boxes which you can drag and drop around the screen and you can answer by typing from within those boxes only. The beauty of Meebo is not just limited to letting you access all your IMs in one place either. There is another Meebo service by the name of Meebo Me which you can use to talk to any of the visitors on your site.
Meebo Me is designed for anyone with a home on the web. If you have a webpage, blog, social networking account or even a business site where you would like to communicate with your visitors, Meebo Me allows you to do just that. It is a direct connection just the way people use an instant messenger to talk to you.
By putting in a Meebo Me chat window on your home page and by logging in to Meebo, you can see who is on your page, chat with them and publish your online presence — all totally on the web.
To access this service, go to meebome.com, and create a widget. After this, you will get a bit of code which you can embed on any webpage. When you next log in to meebo.com, you will see people in your buddy list, if they are on your widget, under the name that you gave that widget. Thus, when a friend visits your webpage, s/he will show up on your buddy list as a new visitor and as long as you are logged in to meebo.com, your visitors will be able to chat with you directly or you can open up an IM window with any visitor and start talking right away. It is just that simple.
The writer is a freelance contributor
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