 |
 |
|
Using WebBoard UIS
IX. WebBoard Chat
Each WebBoard conference can have its own chat room where you can communicate synchronously with other members of that conference. Whether or not you have chat rooms available to you in your course is up to your instructor and how he or she has configured your conferences. Both public/group chats and private chats are possible with WebBoard. However, to use either you must be using a Java-capable browser (e.g., Netscape 3.0 or higher, Microsoft Internet Explorer 3.0 or higher).
Understanding the Chat Environment
The Chat interface has its own menubar, as well as a space for messages to be typed, a Send button, and a message display area below it.Note: new messages appear at the top of the screen, with older ones scrolled below.
The Chat menubar consists of the following interface icons:
Using the Interface
In order to understand the different buttons and their functionality, descriptions of each follow:Top Toolbar Buttons
Chat Options – This button allows you to change your profile, password, send files to other members, messages and e-mail. It will also allow you to change your nickname by changing the name in the “nickname” field and pressing enter.
Room Options (Moderator/Admin function) - Allows you to change your room welcome message, room options, the capability to ban or remove a member from the system, change server settings, add moderators and change passwords.
Profile – This allows you to change your profile for other members to view.
Person – to – Person Chat (P2P Chat) – Clicking on this button after highlighting a member’s name in the Member List will enable one to one conversation. This conversation is private and cannot be seen by the rest of the participants. You can also send a member a memo or a file.
Members List – The Member’s List button will open a new page that will allow you to look up information about other members, as well as send files, initiate a private chat, send e-mail, files or memos.
Send File - This function allows you to send a file to another member either while they are in the chatroom or after they have logged out.
Send Memo - To send a memo to a member, highlight the member’s name and click on this button. A memo box will appear for your text.
Ignore A Member/Un-Ignore/Clear All Ignores – By highlighting a member name then clicking on this button, you can ignore or un-ignore a member. You can also clear all ignores that you have previously set.
Leave the Current Room – Clicking on this button will allow you to exit a particular room.
Help Using the System – To gain help using the server and the software, utilize this button.
Quit – Using this button will log you off the server.
Message Option Buttons
(Bottom toolbar)
Login Status – This icon indicates whether you are logged in (green), logged off (red) or in the process of connecting (yellow).
Sound – By clicking on this button and choosing a sound from the pop-up menu, you are able to admit that sound to the room.
Emotions – Should you wish to send a “face” icon to the screen, i.e. happy, sad, angry, click on this button.
Actions – To admit an action to the screen, click this button and type in your desired action, then hit enter.
Text Color – This button allows you to choose the color of your text that you would like to use.
Background Text Color – By clicking on this button you are able to set the background color of your text.
Basic Chatting TipsQuick Message/Whisper: (to a specific member)
Highlight nickname - type message - press Send and hold – choose “Whisper to Member” from drop-down.Repeat Previous Message(s): Control and up/down arrow will scroll through any previous messages sent.
Copy and Paste Screen Text: To copy: Right click (Mac, long click) on chat screen, and choose “Copy All”. To paste, Control + V (Mac, Command + V).
For full help files and ChatSpace documentation visit the ChatSpace Community Server Manual
Please send comments and suggestions to the UIS webmaster.
Written content provided by Jolee West and the Sloan Center for Asynchronous Learning Environments .
