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HipChat is a new private chat service for companies and teams
There was a time when having a chat client on your computer at work was considered a no-no. These days, if you're not available via some sort of online chat or instant messaging, you're just not moving at the speed of business.
Many companies have begun using open instant messaging services for their internal discussions, but there are a couple of downsides to this approach. The first is a lack of control, and a potential lack of security. The second is a lack of collaboration tools; it's difficult to share files between multiple people in an instant messaging chat.
HipChat is a new start-up that aims to fix the problem of secure, controlled corporate chat. Based on Adobe AIR which provides cross-platform functionality, HipChat is a fully functional chat client that as GigaOM points out, bears a resemblance to 37Signals' Campfire product. To be fair, the basic layout of an IRC-like chat client has been the same for 15 years, so the similar look is not that much of a surprise.
Where HipChat has a definite advantage is in the fact that it is a desktop client (even if it does unfortunately rely on AIR), not a web client. While there are 3rd-party Campfire clients and even ways to run Campfire in a dedicated single-purpose browser, HipChat is simply a desktop chat client.
HipChat has plans available from $9/month for up to 12 users, to $99/month for up to 100 users, and offers a 30 day free trial.
[via GigaOM]
Comments
6
Subscribe to commentsErebosJan 26th 2010 7:44PM
Is this better than Google Wave? How so?
JaymoonJan 26th 2010 9:37PM
My small office environment has been using OpenFire and Spark as an internal instant messaging solution. It's always free, and doesn't rely on a third-party to function, or internet access.
http://www.igniterealtime.org
My one suggestion for "HipChat" is to change the name. Just as we are now accustomed to "Google" something, I've heard Spark thrown around just the same. (example: "Spark me that file" or "I Sparked it to you already")
Not everyone at the office knows the proper tech-lingo, so "HipChat" is just not going to cut it.
AideJan 27th 2010 4:40AM
Like Jaymoon my company use a OpenFire Server, I tried MS communicator and that was just a pain in the arse to setup.
There is an MSI of the Spark client which means it can be deployed via GPO, meaning less work for me.
LaLoJan 27th 2010 11:31AM
We also use OpenFire and it works great for Mac & PC. Users are broken down to AD groups and like Aide said above it can be deployed via GPO.
I do agree installing MS Communicator is probably the most difficult to set up.
OwenFeb 1st 2010 12:38AM
I just don't see internal chat being a good thing to farm out to a 3rd party, especially when the companies that would have the most use for such a forum are the most likely to already have (and pay for!) the infrastructure to support something installed.
I've been writing this application, which does exactly that: http://www.screencast.com/t/ZmZjOTc5
eagle_mind90Feb 10th 2010 5:36AM
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