Using open-source software @ Curtin Library: instant messaging, podcasts, subject guides, blogs and wikis!

Curtin Library has a reputation for having an innovative approach to providing services. Its SMS service, for example, has been of interest to libraries both in Australia and overseas. This paper discusses a number of other new services, all supported by open-source software, that have been customised and implemented by Curtin. In 2006, Curtin chose to implement an instant messaging “AskOnline” service to replace Tutor.com virtual reference software. Open-source software was used: ejabberd for the backend, jwchat as the web client and Miranda Instant Messenger as the gui interface. Another new addition to the library’s resources in 2006 was a customisable subject guide database based on Pirate Source software created by the Joyner Library at East Carolina University. Podcasts and blogs have also been offered by Curtin. We use Audacity – free, open-source, sound-editing software, and copyright-free music from ccMixter, to produce podcasts on a range of topics aimed at new students, and use the free open-source blog engine b2evolution for blogs for external and internal use. In 2006 we experimented with MediaWiki software to evaluate it as another useful open-source tool for library staff and clients. In each of these examples, the reasons for choosing open-source software rather than commercial products are discussed. There is a detailed description of the customisations we needed to make, together with advice for those who might be interested in following the same path.