 About instant messages
FirstClass' instant messaging feature allows you to have an online conversation with users who are currently connected to a server. The Instant Message page contains a transcript pane that records everyone's contributions to the instant message.
Instant messages may take the form of temporary sessions that only exist until the last participant leaves, or permanent chat rooms that are available inside containers.
Responding to instant message invitations
If you are invited to an instant messaging session, an Instant Messaging Invitation button is added to your toolbar. To open the invitation, which shows who invited you, click this button.
To decline the invitation, click Decline on the invitation form. The sender (but not other participants) is notified that you have declined. If you don't want to join or send a notification, click Ignore.
To join the instant messaging session, click Accept. The Instant Message page opens and your name is added to the "Participants" list in the Instant Message pages of all participants.
Joining public chat rooms
Public chat rooms appear with this icon:
 When a chat room has active participants, there is a red balloon beside its icon:
 To join the chat room, click it.
Starting private instant messages
To start an instant message:
1 Click Instant Message.
 NoteIf you want your instant message to have a particular name on invitations, fill in "Name" in the Instant Message page's Setup section.
2 Click Invite to invite a user to your instant messaging session.
A list opens, showing users who are currently connected to your server and will accept instant message invitations.
3 Select the user you want to invite.
The selected user receives an invitation. If the user accepts, you will see the user's name in the "Participants" list. If the user declines, you are notified in the transcript. If the user ignores the invitation, you aren't notified.
4 Contribute to the instant message as you would to any other instant message.
Starting an instant message from the Directory
If you are in the Directory or Who's Online list, you can start an instant message by selecting the user, then clicking Invite to Instant Message. In the Directory, you can only invite users who are currently online (their names are in bold). You can't invite users whose names are in italics.
Creating public chat rooms
To create a public chat room that is available permanently:
1 Open the container where you want the chat room.
2 Choose New Chat Room from the Create field.
3 Type the public chat room name.
Setting instant messaging preferences
You can update your instant messaging preferences to specify whether:
• users can invite you
If you prevent users from inviting you, your name appears in italics in the Directory and Who's Online list.
• instant messaging sounds will play.
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