MCLS Communique

QuestionPoint Recent Enhancements

January 11th, 2010 Kelly Bayee

Qwidget (the QuestionPoint chat widget) gives libraries the ability to embed a snippet of HTML code throughout their Web pages and in a variety of environments. The Qwidget is evolving, and we have added the following new features for Qwidget:

A. Mobile Qwidget
Users who navigate the web via their compatible mobile devices now have the ability to use an optimized Qwidget to connect with their librarian.  In addition, iPhone users can download a direct link to the Qwidget, onto their home screen, represented by an icon (similar to an “App” icon). This allows them to begin a Qwidget session without first navigating to the library website via their mobile browser.

Although it imports all of the text and other characteristics of the Qwidget built by libraries in the QuestionPoint Administration module, this new, optimized Qwidget has a standard mobile interface, size and color.

The Mobile Qwidget will be available to the following types of device:
iPhone, Android, Palm.

B. Qwidget for Facebook
You can now add the Qwidget to Facebook!  All you need is a Facebook account; you must also accept the Facebook application terms and conditions.  A Qwidget for Facebook guide will walk you through the application creation process using Facebook Developer.  Requests for the Qwidget for Facebook guide should be sent to David Leslie, at david_leslie@oclc.org.  Please enter “Qwidget Facebook” in the subject line.

C. Chat widget display in WorldCat Local
The Chat functionality is available to libraries with full WorldCat Local subscriptions.
Institutions that have a Questionpoint Qwidget or other chat clients are now able to
provide their users the opportunity to chat directly with a librarian from within WorldCat
Local. This solution is designed to work with any chat client by inserting the code snippet
via configuration in the WorldCat Service Configuration User Interface module. For more info: http://www.oclc.org/us/en/questionpoint/worldcat_local_chat_overview.pdf

Other enhancements:
QuestionPoint Knowledge bases offered as Web service
QuestionPoint knowledge bases can now be accessed via other interfaces through the use of the web service search query and data record link.  Searches can be posted and limited by any of the parameters on the QuestionPoint Advanced Search page.  Search results can be rendered in xml or html for flexible implementation by various search engines.  Text and json formats are also output options.

For details on how to implement this flexible new option, contact David Leslie at david_leslie@oclc.org.   You will need to provide him with an IT contact person at your institution.

Custom Qwidget skins and formatting
QuestionPoint now offers your web team the ability to create a custom CSS file for the Qwidget. This will allow them to exactly match the color of the Qwidget with the rest of your website. Experience working with Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) and access to create and add files to a public-facing website are required.  For step by step instructions on implementing this capability, please consult the link on the Qwidget creation page from within your Administrator interface.  These self-created custom Qwidget “skins” will be stored and must be maintained on your own servers. The Qwidget mechanism itself will continue to be hosted on QuestionPoint servers at OCLC.

New report for “Number of Chat sessions accepted via Qwidget”
The number of Qwidget chat sessions your group, library, or librarians accepted is now a separate line item in the Chat Service section of all activity reports.

Entry Filed under: OCLC News, Reference