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   01. What is Chat (Instant Message)?
  
 
    FirstClass chat (also called instant messaging) allows you to have an online conversation with anyone who has chat enabled and is connected to the server.

Two or more people can participate in a chat.
Transcripts from chats can be saved.

Note: Chat is enabled for staff members only at this time.

 
   02. Respond to a Chat Invitation
  

 
(1:00)
 
 1. When someone invites you to a chat, a Chat Invitation window will appear on your computer. You can:
  • Ignore the invitation
  • Decline the invitation
  • Accept the invitation
 
 2. If you accept the invitation, you will be taken to the Chat area.

There are several parts to the chat area:

  • Chat text window
  • Settings area
    • Participants
    • Attachments
    • Setup
  • Chat formatting options
  • Chat control buttons
 
 
 03. Start a Chat and Invite Participant(s)
 
(0:20)
 
 1. If you want to start your own chat (instant message), click the Instant Message button in the toolbar.
 
 2. You will be taken to the chat area, but you will be alone until you invite participants.
 
 
 3. Click the Invite button to bring up a list of users who are online and available for chat.
 
 4. Double-click on the name of the person who you would like to invite to chat.

That person will receive a Chat Invitation.
 
 04. Chat Controls
 
 1. Once you are in a Chat, you have several controls and options available to you.
 
 
 2. If you click on any participant, you can
  • Ignore them
  • Allow them to participate (Moderated chat)
  • Disallow them to participate. (Moderated chat)
 
 3. You can also tell when a participant is currently typing, because a hand typing icon will appear next to her/his name in the Participants list.
 
 
 4. You can add attachments to a chat so that all participants can download them.

 
 
 5. You can change some of the Chat settings to allow you to:
  • hear sounds
  • have a moderated chat
  • enable "catch up" to see what was said before you entered
  • show time stamps
  • save chat transcript

 
 
 6. Enter and format text for submission to the chat.

To send your text to the chat, press the Send button, or hit the Enter (Return) key on your keyboard.
 
 7. To leave a chat, close the chat window.
 
 05. Saving a Chat Transcript*
 
 1. To save a chat transcript, click on the Setup tab.

Check the Save transcript checkbox.

Notice the small red "record" icon in the upper right corner of the setup window.

*Only the creator of a chat can save the chat transcript!
 
 2. The chat will be recorded until all participants have left the chat.
 
 
 3. The chat creator will receive a mail message with the title of the chat if any was specified (or the generic title Private Chat).
 
 4. Double-click the message to review the chat transcript.
 

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