Difference between revisions of "Chat in Gmail"
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#* A '''red dot''' with a line through it means the person is online but too busy to chat. | #* A '''red dot''' with a line through it means the person is online but too busy to chat. | ||
#* A '''grey dot''' that is crossed out means the person is either offline or doesn't want to be bothered. | #* A '''grey dot''' that is crossed out means the person is either offline or doesn't want to be bothered. | ||
| − | #Click the name you want to chat with. This will open a chat window if the person is online. Look for the small box that pops up in the bottom right.<ref>https://support.google.com/chat/answer/161880?hl=en</ref> | + | #Click the name you want to chat with. This will open a chat window if the person is online. Look for the small box that pops up in the bottom right.<ref name="rf1">https://support.google.com/chat/answer/161880?hl=en</ref> |
#* If the person is not online and you click his or her name, Gmail will automatically open a blank email to that person. | #* If the person is not online and you click his or her name, Gmail will automatically open a blank email to that person. | ||
| − | #Type in your message. In the chat box, click the blue square at the bottom and start typing whatever you want to say. When you're finished with your message, click enter to send it. Now, just wait for your contact to respond — you should receive a notification when they see your message and start typing.<ref | + | #Type in your message. In the chat box, click the blue square at the bottom and start typing whatever you want to say. When you're finished with your message, click enter to send it. Now, just wait for your contact to respond — you should receive a notification when they see your message and start typing.<ref name="rf1" /> |
| − | #* You can add emoticons (small smiley faces) to your message by clicking the smiley face icon in the bottom right of the text box and selecting the emoticon you want from the list that pops up. You can also make emoticons by typing them in manually. Click [https://sites.google.com/site/emoticonssite/gmail-chat here] for a list.<ref>https://sites.google.com/site/emoticonssite/gmail-chat</ref> | + | #* You can add emoticons (small smiley faces) to your message by clicking the smiley face icon in the bottom right of the text box and selecting the emoticon you want from the list that pops up. You can also make emoticons by typing them in manually. Click [https://sites.google.com/site/emoticonssite/gmail-chat here] for a list.<ref name="rf2">https://sites.google.com/site/emoticonssite/gmail-chat</ref> |
#Continue reading and responding to messages. When the person you're chatting with finishes her message and presses enter, it will display in the chat box underneath yours. Type your response the same way as before and hit enter to send it. Congratulations — you've just mastered the basics of Gmail chatting! | #Continue reading and responding to messages. When the person you're chatting with finishes her message and presses enter, it will display in the chat box underneath yours. Type your response the same way as before and hit enter to send it. Congratulations — you've just mastered the basics of Gmail chatting! | ||
#Change your online status if you don't want messages. Text-chatting on Gmail is fun, but if you don't want to be bothered, sometimes it's ''not'' best to get messages from friends. To change your status so that your contacts can see that you can't talk right now, click the small downward arrow next to the silhouette icon at the top of the contacts box. Then, select the status you want from the options. Your choices are: | #Change your online status if you don't want messages. Text-chatting on Gmail is fun, but if you don't want to be bothered, sometimes it's ''not'' best to get messages from friends. To change your status so that your contacts can see that you can't talk right now, click the small downward arrow next to the silhouette icon at the top of the contacts box. Then, select the status you want from the options. Your choices are: | ||
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#* '''Sign out:''' Logs you out. Other people will see you as offline. | #* '''Sign out:''' Logs you out. Other people will see you as offline. | ||
#* '''Invisible:''' Keeps you logged-in, but other people will see you as offline. | #* '''Invisible:''' Keeps you logged-in, but other people will see you as offline. | ||
| − | #Try inviting new people to chat. Don't see anyone in the contacts box that you want to chat with? You can invite people to chat with you at any time by following these steps:<ref>https://support.google.com/chat/answer/159497</ref> | + | #Try inviting new people to chat. Don't see anyone in the contacts box that you want to chat with? You can invite people to chat with you at any time by following these steps:<ref name="rf3">https://support.google.com/chat/answer/159497</ref> |
#* Type your friend's Google username in the text area at the top of the contacts box. If they're already in your contacts, you'll see their information automatically pop up. Click "send chat" to start chatting (it will say "send offline chat" if the person is offline). You can also click "Show in chat list" to add the person's name to the list below. | #* Type your friend's Google username in the text area at the top of the contacts box. If they're already in your contacts, you'll see their information automatically pop up. Click "send chat" to start chatting (it will say "send offline chat" if the person is offline). You can also click "Show in chat list" to add the person's name to the list below. | ||
#* If a person ''isn't'' in your contacts, type his or her complete username and click "invite to chat." The person will receive an invitation the next time they log into Gmail. | #* If a person ''isn't'' in your contacts, type his or her complete username and click "invite to chat." The person will receive an invitation the next time they log into Gmail. | ||
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#* When the "allow Google to run Google talk?" message appears in your browser, click "Allow." If you don't see it, look for a thin bar that pops down from the top of the screen. The plugin will install automatically. | #* When the "allow Google to run Google talk?" message appears in your browser, click "Allow." If you don't see it, look for a thin bar that pops down from the top of the screen. The plugin will install automatically. | ||
#Type in the phone number or search for a contact. Now, the message about downloading the plugin should have disappeared from the phone box. Click the buttons or use the numbers on your keyboard to type in the phone number you want to call. You can also search for people in your contacts by typing their name in instead. | #Type in the phone number or search for a contact. Now, the message about downloading the plugin should have disappeared from the phone box. Click the buttons or use the numbers on your keyboard to type in the phone number you want to call. You can also search for people in your contacts by typing their name in instead. | ||
| − | #* Domestic calls in the U.S. are free. '''International calls cost money based on their length.''' However, this can be as low as one cent per minute depending on the country. Click [https://www.google.com/voice/rates here] for information on Google Voice's calling rates.<ref>https://www.google.com/voice/rates</ref> | + | #* Domestic calls in the U.S. are free. '''International calls cost money based on their length.''' However, this can be as low as one cent per minute depending on the country. Click [https://www.google.com/voice/rates here] for information on Google Voice's calling rates.<ref name="rf4">https://www.google.com/voice/rates</ref> |
#Click "Call.'''"''' This will dial the number you have given. If the person on the other end picks up, you'll be connected within a few moments and you can start talking just like on a phone. | #Click "Call.'''"''' This will dial the number you have given. If the person on the other end picks up, you'll be connected within a few moments and you can start talking just like on a phone. | ||
#* If you are making an international call, the price of your call will display in the top right corner of the phone box. | #* If you are making an international call, the price of your call will display in the top right corner of the phone box. | ||
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#* Note that your recipient will need to choose to accept the call before it can begin. | #* Note that your recipient will need to choose to accept the call before it can begin. | ||
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== Tips == | == Tips == | ||
* Try experimenting with the options on the left side of the screen during video chat. Here, you'll find options to take screen captures, add effects to your video feed, and even screenshare (show the people in your chat what's on your computer screen). | * Try experimenting with the options on the left side of the screen during video chat. Here, you'll find options to take screen captures, add effects to your video feed, and even screenshare (show the people in your chat what's on your computer screen). | ||
| − | * Text-chatting about something you don't want other people to see? Use the "Go off the record" option from the "More" drop-down menu. This makes Gmail ''not save'' your chat history — once you stop chatting, it's gone.<ref>https://support.google.com/chat/answer/29291?hl=en</ref> | + | * Text-chatting about something you don't want other people to see? Use the "Go off the record" option from the "More" drop-down menu. This makes Gmail ''not save'' your chat history — once you stop chatting, it's gone.<ref name="rf5">https://support.google.com/chat/answer/29291?hl=en</ref> |
== Related Articles == | == Related Articles == | ||
