Meebo Alternatives

Link	Zoho	Digsby	LibraryH3lp	QuestionPoint	LibChat
Website	zoho.com/...	digsby.com	libraryh3lp.com	questionpoint.org	springshare.com/...
Pricing	Free	Free	population-based, starting at $180/yr 20,001 - 25,000 students: $540 US annually; 25,001 - 30,000students: $600 US annually (Free trial available)	Dependent on student population and package. (Participate in reference co-op?)	Dependent on student population. (Waiting for quote.)
Embeddable	Yes Widget - similar to meebo	Yes Widget - similar to meebo	Yes Widget (includes "float over" and "pop out" options)	Yes Widget	Yes Widget
Multiple Users	Yes - Live Support Option	Each department/user would have to sign up for their own Digsby account.	Yes (unlimited concurrent operators in all subscriptions)	Yes	Yes
Help Guides & Instructional Material	Live chat support	Getting Started guide and support forum. digsby.com/...	Instructional videos and documentation. Guidelines for switching from Meebo available: libraryh3lp.com/... and blogspot.ca/...	QuestionPoint Librarian training: questionpoint.org/...	Webinars, instructional documentation and online training offered.
Chat transcripts	Yes - Can be deleted	Yes - can be deleted	Yes - can be emailed to patron after chat - can be deleted	Yes - can be emailed to patron after chat - can be deleted	Yes - can be emailed to patron after chat - can be deleted
Privacy features	SSL; chat history can be purged	digsby.com/... Chat history can be deleted	Library can purge its own data independently; anonymize identifying information; SSL encryption; no ads; no data mining		Patron data securely stored in Springshare database; purge on request; SMS numbers never displayed; "We will never sell, distribute, or misuse patron information in any way"
Privacy (Both staff and public)	Staff may log on anonymously (i.e. "Ask a librarian"); Users are asked to submit names or aliases.	Both staff and public can remain anonymous.	Both staff and public can remain anonymous.	Staff can remain anonymous. Library sets up how much information users must share to chat with staff.	Both staff and public can remain anonymous.
Stats/report generation	No	No	Yes Extensive reporting tools available; stats also available via API.	Yes	Yes Extensive analytical tools. http://www.springshare.com/libanswers/features.html
File attachment	- can only send to registered Zoho users	No	Yes 20 meg max	- ?	No
Customizable appearance	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	Yes
Customizable notifications	- Simple status updates only; no pop-up notifications	Yes Status or offline updates	Yes Standard away message or hide widget when offline	Yes	Yes
Host (Canada or other?)	U.S.	U.S.	Servers in U.S., Canada, Europe, and Singapore	U.S.	U.S. Also includes a free custom domain of your choice (e.g., answers.school.edu, or reference.yourlib.org)
Networks supported	Google, Facebook, Yahoo, MSN, AIM, ICQ, MySpace, Jabber	Google, Facebook, Yahoo, MSN, AIM, ICQ, MySpace, Jabber	AIM, Yahoo!, MSN, Google Talk, ICQ, Facebook, XMPP/Jabber	None?	None: not based on Jabber protocol
Cross-platform	All major browsers	All major browsers	All major browsers	All major browsers	All major browsers
Transfer chats	No	No	Yes	- Concordia reported difficulty with chat transfers.	Yes
Other Libraries Using Platform	Easter Library clearwater.edu/...	Nazareth naz.edu/...	UWO: lib.uwo.ca ; University of Manitoba: umanitoba.ca/...	Concordia: concordia.ca/... ; Douglas College douglas.bc.ca/...	LibChat is not yet fully functional. They plan to have LibChat functioning before Meebo is retired.
Trial	No		Yes 90 days		Yes
Notable Features	Different staff members can have their own Zoho account with their name and share responsibility for taking chats.		Extensive documentation on easy switch over from Meebo.	24/7 Reference co-op (optional)	LibChat comes with LibAnswers. Library can create a FAQ section using questions asked.

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