Instant Messenger

This section covers sending and receiving messages, viewing logs and adding/removing contacts with the Instant Messaging tool

Using Instant Messaging

Instant Messaging is a communication tool within VU Collaborate. You can use this tool to send instant messages to an individual VU Collaborate users. An instant message is quick and less formal than an email. Use Instant Messaging to see if your classmates are online and to communicate with them quickly in real-time.

Step One: Accessing the Instant Messaging tool

After logging into VU Collaborate and navigating to the desired space.

Access Instant Messaging

1.Click Go to Instant Messaging from the Message alert icon on the minibar.

 

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or

2. Click Communication from the navbar and select Instant Messaging from the drop down menu.

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Step Two: Adding Instant Messaging Friends

There are three ways to add Instant Messaging Friends. By searching for user, sorting by classlist before searching for the user or by adding friends by Username. 

Searching for Users and Adding Friends

To search for users, in the Friends tab:

1. Click Search Users from the Add Friends drop down menu.

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2. Type in the Search For field and click to search all VU Collaborate users.

3. Select the check box beside the user you want to add and click Add as Friend.

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Note: You can add multiple users at one time by selecting multiple checkboxes.

Step Three: Adding Friends by Classlist

In the Classlist tab you can search users who are enrolled in the same Spaces as you.

1. Click on the field under View, to open a dropdown menu where you can select any of the Spaces you are enrolled in.

2. Select a Space to display a list of all the users enrolled in that Space.

 

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3. Select the checkbox next to the user you want to add and click Add. You can add multiple users at one time by selecting multiple checkboxes.

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Step Four: Add by Username

The permission Add Friends by Username must be enabled in order to add contacts by username. The permission Add Friends by Username must be enabled in order to add contacts by username.

1. In the Friends tab, click the Add Friends drop down menu and select Add by Username.

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2. Enter a Username and click Add.

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Step Five: Removing Friends

To remove a friend:

1. In the Friends tab, select the checkbox beside the user you want to remove and click Remove.

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Step Six: Sending Messages

To send a message, in the Friends tab:

1. Click on the name of a Friend or select the checkbox next to a contact in your Friends list and click Message.

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3. Type a message and click Send.

 

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Step Seven: Receiving Messages

When you receive a message, a red notification icon will appear over the Message icon on the minibar.

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You can also see how many unread messages you have in the Instant Messaging tool.

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Accessing Instant Messaging Logs

You can view a log of all the messages that have been sent between you and a Friend within the messaging window.

To view a history of messages from a particular user:

2. Click View All to view the message history with that user.

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Step Eight: Changing Instant Messaging Settings

To change your instant messaging settings

1.Click on Settings in the top right corner of the Instant Messaging page.

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2. You can change the Friends List Filter to display All of your Friends, Friends who are Online or Friends who are Offline.


3.You can also change the way your Inbox, Friends and Classlist is listed; by sent date, first name or last name.

4. Click Save to save changes and return to the main page.

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