Text, Audio, and Video Chats


After you create a Buddy List, you can select a buddy name in the list that's online, then start chatting. You can chat using text-based messaging, audio, or video, depending on the connection speed and the hardware available to both of you.

Text messaging may sound low-tech, but it has some advantages that make it a popular option. It's more private than talking aloud during an audio or video chat. Text messaging also lets you send files to others as you chat. You can include HTML web address links within a message. And you can chat with larger groups of people than you can with audio or video chats.

The icon next to a buddy photo indicates what kind of chat is possible. A camera icon means the buddy has a video camera attached and can use text, audio or video to chat. A multiple-camera icon shows that a multiple-person video chat is possible. A phone icon means the buddy has a mic attached or built in and can use text or audio to chat. No icon means the buddy can only use text messages to chat.

Control-click on a buddy to show a contextual menu of actions you can choose.

iChat Text Messaging

When you receive an iChat invitation, the iChat icon in the Dock alerts you with a red tag and a number to show how many chat invitations are waiting for your response.

To start a text chat

1.

Select a buddy in the Buddy List.

2.

Click the Text Chat button (the letter "A") at the bottom of the iChat window to open a message window.

3.

Type a message in the message window text box, then press Return. When your buddy answers you, his messages and yours are staggered in the window and tagged with the photos that were set in your chat software (iChat or AIM).

Click the Text Chat button to start a text chat with a selected buddy.

Type your message in the text box, then press Return or Enter. When you start typing, a thought cloud appears so buddies can see that you're responding.

Your sent message appears in your iChat window.

4.

When you receive a text message, a message window (below-left) opens on your Desktop. The top of the window identifies the buddy sending you a message. Click on the window to expand it (center). Type a response, then click the "Accept" button. When you accept, the window expands again (below-right) so you continue the chat. If you choose to block the message, an alert asks if you're sure you want to block all future messages from this buddy. If your answer is "yes," click the "Block" button in the alert window. You can remove this block in the Security pane of iChat Preferences.

To remove a block, open iChat Preferences, then click the "Security" tab in the "Accounts" pane. Click the "Edit List…" button next to "Block specific people." A sheet slides down from the Prerences title bar in which you can add or remove buddies to a Block list.


Click anywhere on a received message to open it (right).

Click the "Accept" button to expand the window and continue the chat.



    Robin Williams Cool Mac Apps. A guide to iLife '05,  .Mac, and more.
    Robin Williams Cool Mac Apps. A guide to iLife '05, .Mac, and more.
    ISBN: 321335902
    EAN: N/A
    Year: 2005
    Pages: 277

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