Making chat & videoconferencing work in the classroom against all odds.

How do I start a Video Chat in Windows Messenger?
To start a video chat, right-click on a contact and select Start a Video Conversation. You can also select Actions, Start a Video Conversation. You can add video to a text chat. First, make sure the side bar is displayed by selecting View, Sidebar from the conversation window's...
What do I need to install in order to get started with chat?
Chat (also known as instant messaging) is a form of real-time communication. When you use chat, your message gets delivered to the person on the other end almost instantly, even if the other person is all the way on the other side of the world. The speed with which chat allows communication has...
How do I set up Windows Messenger?
Windows Messenger will probably already be running when you log into Windows. You will see an icon for it in the system tray, the area on the lower right of your screen. To start up Windows Messenger, double-click on its icon in the system tray to open the sign in window. If...
How do I add people to my contact list in Windows Messenger?
Before you can start chatting with someone on Windows Messenger, you will first have to add them to your contact list. In other chat programs, such as AIM, contacts are known as buddies. To add a contact in Windows Messenger, click on Tools, Add a Contact, or use the Add a Contact...
How do I start a text chat in Windows Messenger?
Once you have added contacts to your contacts list, there are several ways to start a chat with them if they are online: Double-click on the contact in your contacts list. Select the contact, then click on Send an Instant Message in the actions pane (choose Tools, Show Actions...
How do I start a voice chat in Windows Messenger?
To start a voice chat, right-click on a contact's name in the contact list and select Start a Voice Conversation. You can also start a voice chat by selecting Actions, Start a Voice Conversation. You can add voice to a text chat as well. First, make sure...
How do I chat with more than one buddy at a time with Windows Messenger?
With Windows Messenger, you cannot initiate a chat with more than one person, but you can add people to a conversation once you have started it. A total of five people can take part in a group conversation, including you. To add contacts to a conversation, open a conversation with one of...
How do I send a file using Windows Messenger?
While you are chatting with your contacts using Windows Messenger, you have the ability to send them a file at any time. You can also receive files from your contacts as well. To send a file to a contact, start a conversation and then click on the Send a File or Photo...
How do I use the whiteboard feature in Windows Messenger?
Windows Messenger allows you to collaborate with your students using the whiteboard feature. You can use the whiteboard to work together on equations and other math problems, or to work together on any type of diagram. To start a new whiteboard session, you can select a contact in the contact list and...
How do I change my online status with Windows Messenger?
You can change your status from Online to Away if you need to step away from your computer for a short period of time. This way your online contacts know not to send you any chat invitations while you are away. To change your online status, select File, Status, and select one...
How do I block users I don't want to chat with me with Windows Messenger?
You can block a contact at any time by selecting it in the contact list, right-clicking, and selecting Block. If you choose to block a contact, that contact will not be able to see your online status or send you chat messages. You can also set up Windows Messenger...
What are emoticons, and how do I use them in Windows Messenger?
In face to face conversation, what a person says can mean something entirely different depending on their facial expressions, body language, and tone of voice. Unless you have enabled voice or video chat, you cannot take advantage of these cues to convey emotion in your chat messages. Emoticons are an attempt to...
What do all those abbreviations used in chat mean?
Chat conversations often take place at a very quick pace. To keep things flowing back and forth, it often helps to use abbreviations for frequently typed expressions. Below is a list of abbreviations you may see in chat messages: Abbreviation...
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