Tag Archives: chat

Tech Tip: Chat services available at Penn State

by Ryan Johnson, I-Tech

With AOL Instant Messenger (AIM)  no longer supporting the use of the AIM buddy list in its new version, you may be looking for a new chat client.  Below are some options to consider moving forward:

Slack

screenshot of slack application channels listing

Slack is an increasingly popular and easy to use communication tool that is currently used at Penn State and by various groups in the Libraries.  Slack allows you to send messages directly to one or a small group of individuals, share files, and set up notifications.

To get started, sign up at Slack.com and join the PSU-Libraries group or create your own team to communicate. For further information on creating a team please contact I-Tech via the Libraries Helpdesk.

Yammer

Yammer offers chat services for all Penn State Employees.  Users can setup Yammer Groups to collaborate at the libraries and also chat with other Penn State staff.  For example, the Welcome desks currently are using Yammer to communicate within their group.  More information on Yammer at Penn State can be found here: http://yammer.psu.edu/first_steps/.

Jabber
Jabber is a service that allows for real-time communication via the XMPP protocol. All that is needed to use Jabber is a Penn State Access Account and a local chat client (like Adium or Pidgin) configured to support Jabber.

Penn State’s Jabber service allows people with a valid Penn State Access Account to activate their own Jabber account. Their Jabber screen name is their Access Account user ID (userid@chat.psu.edu), and their password is their Penn State Access Account password.

Below is a list of resources and supported clients to get you started:

Supported Clients
Adium Configuration
Messages Configuration
Pidgen Configuration