 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 form 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 invitation is displayed that shows the name of the user who invited you.
To decline the invitation, click Decline. 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 form opens and your name is added to the "Participants" list in the Instant Message forms of all participants.
 TipBefore you respond to an invitation, or during the instant message session, you can open the résumé of the person who invited you, or any other participant, to see more information about them. To do this, open the shortcut menu from the person's name, then choose Résumé.
If you are engaged in multiple instant message sessions, you can switch among them by clicking the appropriate Instant Message form.
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, double-click it.
Starting private instant messages
To use instant messaging with others, they must currently be connected to your server (their names appear in bold).
 NoteUsers whose names are in italics won't accept invitations.
To start an instant message:
1 Choose Collaborate > Instant Message.
ShortcutOpen the shortcut menu from any occurrence of the name you want to invite, then choose Instant Message. If you use this method, skip steps 2 and 3.
NoteIf you want your instant message to have a particular name on invitations, fill in "Name" on the Instant Message form's Setup tab.
2 Click Invite to invite users 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 users you want to invite.
If you are using an instant message type other than text, you can only invite users whose names are underlined. For more information on the types of instant messages available to you, contact your administrator.
Selected users receive invitations. If they accept, their names appear in the "Participants" list. If they decline, you are notified in the transcript. If they ignore the invitation, you aren't notified.
4 Contribute to the instant message as you would to any other instant message.
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 File > New > New Chat Room.
3 Open the chat room's properties, then type the chat room name at "Name".
You can update other information on the Info form, if desired.
ShortcutTo name the chat room without opening the Info form, click the name of the chat room icon twice to make it editable, type the chat room name, then press Tab.
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.
You can use "Sounds" on the Instant Message form's Setup tab to override this preference for an individual instant message.
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