Meeting Notes July

Instant Messaging:
In addition to e-mail several ISP’s offer the abilities to search for your friends on line and send them instant messages. AOL calls their service AIM, (AOL Instant Messages). MSN Messenger, Yahoo Messenger and several others. Allow to sign on for free and get a screen name and password to use their service.
These services became an instant hit with many young users, since they could be on the computer "working on homework" while chatting with their friends. Parent couldn’t hear them talking, like on the phone. Although most people will screen calls, most find it hard to resist an instant message that pops up on their screen.
How does it work:
First you must download an instant message software from the ISP. They will ask for your name address, email address and screen name and password. If your are using that ISP your email name and passwords are used as defaults. You can have other names and password if you wish. If you are an outsider you can request a screen name and password of your choice and if it is not in use, it will be accepted. Most new computers have AIM, and MSN Messenger already on the computer. When you agree to the service you grant then the right to find your IP address and use connect to it for this service. They do promise to keep this information secret.
When the software is loaded and opened the first order is to create a "Buddy List" These are the friend also on the service that you want to chat with. If they are users of that ISP, their email name is all you need to add them to the :Buddy List". Some services allow subscribers to search for screen names using real names of users. For example if your friend use that ISP and you don’t know their screen name you can search for their screen name. That service is only granted to subscribers. Now you are ready.
Start the program and if any of your "Buddies" are on line you will see them listed. If one of them comes on line while you are logged in, you will here a door opening and their name will show as available. You can then send them an Instant Message and wait for a reply. To do this click on the "People" menu and select "send a message". A new screen will appear and you must choose who you want to message. The pull down menu will show all the "Buddies" on line. Pick the one you want to write. You can add "smilies" and use most of the normal word processing tools to send the message. After you message looks right click the send button and you wait for a reply. Your buddy can either accept or block your message. Once the message is sent it appears in the upper window with your screen name and the message. If they answer their name and message appears.
Options:
You can create an "Icon" to identify yourself and that icon will appear on your screen and your buddies screen when you are chatting. You can se their Icon also if they have one. Icons can be very small photos or funny images. To add and Icon open and instant message window and click on "File/IM Preferences/ Expression". Find the image you want and select it. Once you and your buddy are chatting you can go to a private chat or if you both have microphones talk. Just click the talk button, your buddy will be asked if they will accept the call, if they "say hello".
If you both have camera’s you can chat face to face by using the video button.