So I was checking out the website of DC startup SocialTables, and a little “Live Help” window popped up on the bottom of my screen. It said:

Thanks for stopping by! Can I help you with anything? (real live person here!)

At first I was suspicious, but my interlocutor persuaded me of his humanity. Turns out this is a feature you can put on your website, courtesy of Olark. I don’t know if I’m behind the times, but that’s pretty awesome!