Overview

The UW Instant Messenger (uwIM) service provides an easy and secure way to let you communicate with your classmates and instructors. uwIM allows you to:

• Chat with any student, faculty, or instructor
• View online status of people on your buddy list
• Chat in groups
• Create chat rooms
• Search UW Directory for publicly viewable student information

uwIM Client

The uwIM client is an instant messanging application that can be customized by its user. The client can be setup directly from a link which will download the latest version onto a system, install and run it. Figure 1 shows the uwIM client interface looks at startup.

Figure 1

uwIM Java Applet

The web-based uwIM Applet can be used by any machine connected to the University of Washington Intranet. No installation is required for this option. Simply go to the uwIM download page and click on the link open applet link and login. Figure 2 shows the uwIM Applet interface looks at startup.

Figure 2

System Requirements for the uwIM client

To install and run the UW instant messaging client (uwIM) you must have the following:

• An internet connection
• An active UW netID
• Either
  • A Windows PC with Java Virtual Machine 1.3 or higher installed.
  • A Macintosh PC with OS X version 10.1 or higher installed

Installing the uwIM client

Checking Compatibility

Logging on to the uwIM client

Disconnecting from uwIM

When you are finished using uwIM, you can log off of the University of Washington servers. You can log off by using one of two methods.

To Log out of uwIM:

• In the Status menu, select Offline.
  
  or
  
• Close the uwIM window.

Starting a private chat

Changing your status

When you are logged on to uwIM, your uwIM status is show to everyone who has you in their buddy list. By default, when you log in to uwIM you are listed as Online. You can change your status to tell buddies a more specific status.

To Change Your Status:

1. Click on the Status menu and select your desired status:
   

   	-- Offline
   	-- Do Not Disturb
   	-- Away
   	-- Extended Away
   	-- Chat with Me
   	-- Online

Saving a chat conversation

At any time, you can save a chat conversation - both private chats and public chats. The messages will be saved as a text file to a location you specify.

To Save a Chat Conversation

1. In the chat window, click the name shown at the top of the message window.
2. Click "Save text as..."
3. In the Save File dialog box, click on the location you want to save the chat to.
4. In the File Name text box, type in the name you want this file to be called. Click OK.

Printing chat conversations

Creating a public chat room

You will need to create a chat room If you want to facilitate discussions online. Chat rooms can created for any purpose: Course discussions, a meeting place for friends, or a public forum.

To Create a Public Chat Room:

1. Select the Chats tab in the uwIM window.
2. Click the Join Groupchat button.
3. In the Room name text box, type in the name of the chat room you want to create
4. In the Nickname text box, type in the name you want to be displayed representing you.
5. Click Join Chat.

Your chat room will appear as a new window and the name of your chat room will appear in the folder you selected in step 2. Other uwIM users can now join your chat room.

Chatting in multiple public chat rooms

Hiding a chat window

You can hide both private and public chat rooms. When you hide a chat room, you are still participating in that room. When you view the chat room again, you will still see all the messages that occured since you joined that room.

To Hide a Chat Window:

• You can hide a private chat using one of the following methods:
  • Select the Online tab in the uwIM window, right mouse click the buddy name whose chat conversation you want to hide and select Hide Chat.
  • In the private chat window, click the name at the top of the window and select Hide Chat.
• You can hide a public chat using one of the following methods:
  • Select the Chats tab in the uwIM window, right mouse click the name of the chat conversation you want to hide and select Hide Chat.
  • In the public chat window, click the name at the top of the window and select Hide Chat.

Unhiding a chat window

You can show any active private and public chat rooms. When you hide a chat room, you are still participating in that room. When you view the chat room again, you will still see all the messages that occured since you joined that room.

To Show a Chat Window:

• You can show a private chat using one of the following methods:
  • Select the Online tab in the uwIM window, right mouse click the buddy name whose chat conversation you want to show and select Show Chat.
  • In the private chat window, click the name at the top of the window and select Hide Chat.
• You can show a public chat using one of the following methods:
  • Select the Chats tab in the uwIM window, right mouse click the name of the chat conversation you want to show and select Show Chat.
  • In the public chat window, click the name at the top of the window and select Show Chat.

Exiting a chat room

This information is valid for both private and public chat rooms. Some contextual stuff about exiting chats

To Exit a Chat Room:

• You can exit a private chat using one of the following methods:
  • Select the Online tab in the uwIM window, right mouse click the buddy name whose chat conversation you want to exit and select Close Chat.
  • In the private chat window, click the name at the top of the window and select Close Chat.
• You can exit a public chat using one of the following methods:
  • Select the Chats tab in the uwIM window, right mouse click the name of the chat conversation you want to hide and select Exit Chat.
  • In the public chat window, click the name at the top of the window and select Exit Groupchat.

Adding a buddy

When you want to chat with another user of uwIM, you need to add them to your Buddy List. You can add people to your buddy list using their UW netID. Buddy lists can be arranged in groups

To Add a Person to Your Buddy List:

1. Select the Config tab in the uwIM window.
2. Right mouse click anywhere in the main Config screen and select "Add New Buddy..."
3. In the NetID field, type the UW NetID of a buddy.
4. In the display field, type in the name you want to be displayed in your buddy list.
5. In the group text box, you can do one of the following:
   • type in the name of the group in your buddy list where you want this buddy to be located
   • select a group from the dropdown menu.
   • leave this text box blank - The new buddy will be assigned to the default group.
6. Click Add to List.

A request is then sent out asking permission to let you add him/her to your list. If he/she accepts, you will be notified and the buddy will be added to your list.

Deleting a buddy

You can remove a person from your buddy list at any time.

To Delete a Person from Your Buddy List:

1. Select the Config tab in the uwIM window.
2. Right mouse click the name of the buddy you want to delete and select "Remove {buddy name} from List".
3. Click Yes to confirm that you want to delete this buddy

The buddy is deleted immediately. Your buddy is not notified that you have removed him from your list

Searching the UW directory for a buddy

To Search for a Person in the UW Directory:

1. Select either the Online or Offline tab in the uwIM window.
2. Right mouse click anywhere in the main Config screen and select "Search UW Directory..."
3. From here you can type in values for any of the fields listed and search the UW Directory
4. From the result set you can highlight a person and add them to you list. The UW Directory searches the entire online registered UW student directory so it's not for sure whether the person is in your class or logs in to uwIM. If the person accepts to be added, then you can be sure that he has logged in and received your request.

Organizing the buddy list

You can organize your buddy list by groups. By default, all of your buddies are listed in "Buddy Group".

To Organize Your Buddy List in Groups:

1. Select the Config tab in the uwIM window.
2. Right mouse click the name of the buddy you want to move to a different group and select "Edit Buddy Info".
3. In the group text box, either type in the name of the group in your buddy list where you want this buddy to be located or select a group from the dropdown menu.
4. Click Add to List.
   The buddy is immediately moved to the selected group.

Deleting a buddy group

You can delete groups in your buddy list. Deleting a group will not delete the buddies listed in that group, instead those buddies will be moved into the Default Buddy Group group.

To Delete a Buddy Group:

1. Select the Config tab in the uwIM window.
2. Right mouse click the name of the group you want to delete and select "Delete Buddy Group".
3. Click OK to confirm you want to delete this group

Requiring authorization

When users want to add you to their buddy list, you can require them to get your authorization first. By requiring authorization, you maintain control over who can chat with you. By default, you are asked permission whenever someone tries to add you to their buddy list.

To Require Authorization For Other Users:

1. From any view in the uwIM window, right mouse click and select Preferences.
2. In the Preferences window, select General.
3. Click the Authorization Type text box and select one of the following options:
   • Allow All - This option allows all uwIM users to add you to their buddy list without needing to get your authorization.
   • Ask - This option allows all uwIM user to try to add you to their buddy list, but you will not be added to their list until you provide authorization.
   • Deny All - This option does not allow any uwIM user to add you to their buddy list or ask for your authorization.

     

4. Click OK

Changing the window view

To Change How Message Windows Are Displayed:

1. From any screen in the uwIM window, right mouse click and select Preferences.
2. In the Preferences window, select Messages.
3. Select the radio button for your preferred message window view from the displayed options:
   • Seperate Windows - This option will create a different message window for each chat conversation you join.
   • Integrated - This option will use one window for all of your chat conversations. You will be able to continue talking in each conversation by selecting the conversation from a list on the left side of the message window.

     

4. Click OK

Your preference change will take effect for all future conversations

Enabling pop-up message notification

This features allows you to perform other computer work while engaging in a chat session. Pop-up messages will display from your system tray if you have an active chat session hidden or minimized.

To Enable Pop-up Notifications When You Receive a Message:

1. From any screen in the uwIM window, right mouse click and select Preferences.
2. In the Preferences window, select Messages.
3. Choose your preferred pop-up notification setting:
   • If you want to have pop-up notifications, check the Enabled box.
   • If you do not want to have pop-up notifications, uncheck the Enabled box.

     

4. Click OK

Changing location of menu tabs

Menu tabs allow quick access to the uwIM tools without hogging your systems' desktop space. You may reposition the tabs one of four ways.

To Change the Location of the Menu Tabs:

1. From any screen in the uwIM window, right mouse click and select Preferences.
2. In the Preferences window, select Window.
3. Under Buddy View Switching, select the Tab Panel option.
4. Click the Tab Location text box and select one of the following options:
   • Left - The tabs appear as boxes in a column on the left side of the uwIM window.
     The active tab is highlighted in blue.
   • Top - The tabs appear as file folder tabs beneath the status bar in the uwIM window.
     The active tab is indicated by the orange line.
   • Right - The tabs appear as boxes in a column on the right side of the uwIM window.
     The active tab is highlighted in blue.
   • Bottom - The tabs appear as file folder tabs on the bottom of the uwIM window.
     The active tab is indicated by the orange line.

     

5. Click Apply
   The location of the menu tabs changes immediately.
6. Click Ok

Changing between menu and tabs

The menu bar allows you to select a view from a drop-down list while hiding the other options. The tabs display the available window views on file folder like tabs bordering the uwIM window.

To Switch Between Menu Bar or Tab Panel layout:

Checking a class status