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April 20, 2005
Jybe demo
I just finished a Jybe demo with Brian from Advanced Reality, the company responsible for Jybe. I uploaded a rather large Powerpoint presentation that was converted to HTML very quickly, and then browseable (again, very quickly). We filled out web forms together, scrolled together, and moved from website to website (you can use your Favorites toolbar too, which I thought was cool). We even went into one of my library's databases that requires authentication (see screenshot below). No problem!
I found the whole process to be 10 times faster, visually smoother, and easier to use than the current web-based chat product my library uses for offering virtual reference. Like Michael Stephens, I think the only downside is that it requires a plug-in download, which could be a road block for patrons. I think that even if using Jybe for virtual reference (at least at my library) doesn't pan out, I will certainly use it as an online training tool for collaborative web training sessions.
April 20, 2005 | Permalink
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Comments
Hi Sarah . . . just wondering about the authentication issue, because I haven't had a chance to try the new version yet. Did you (i.e. the librarian) authenticate the user? And at that point, do you know if the user is then able to access material after the session has ended (i.e. do they stay authenticated?) I ask only because in our case, if the person isn't affiliated with the institution, we'd be in violation of our licensing agreements. Perhaps a way around that might be to get the user to 'drive' and have them authenticate?
Posted by: Sherri Vokey | April20, 2005
Sherri, based on my testing I did *not* find it possible to let a non-patron in. What happens is that the librarian (on campus in this example) will hit the "enter database" link and go right in (at least on my campus, where the database reads my IP). The remote patron will see the authentication screen. As long as this is a legit remote patron s/he should be able to authenticate as per usual, and then join up with the librarian on the other side. I tested this with an EBSCO, ProQuest and Gale database; they all worked this way. Once the users at both ends have authenticated, all appears to work well.
Posted by: Paul Pival | April20, 2005
For the session I had with Brian, I authenticated and then he & I were able to get in to the database. But if I were using this as a virtual reference tool, it would have been just as easy for Brian (as a patron with a valid barcode & PIN) to authenticate us for the session. I certainly would recommend that the patron be the one putting in the barcode/PIN for all virtual reference co-browsing of authenticated databases, both for purposes of contractual obligations & not to give out librarians' barcodes willy nilly :) As far as I could tell, the user would remain authenticated after the session closed. As long as the user is the one authenticating, no contracts are being violated.
Posted by: Sarah Houghton (Librarian in Black) | April21, 2005
