Messaging Service The Messaging service allows users to send messages to each other in a session-less fashion. A recipient does not need to be online at the time that a message is sent. Users who are not online receive messages that have been sent to them the next time they log in to the system. If they are online, they receive them immediately. Automated messages generated by the system are also posted by the messaging service. For example, this allows the system to leave messages for you when a user tried to call while you were unavailable. The Messaging service is found under the Messaging tab of the Contact Window. If you haven’t received any messages, your window will contain two empty lists and and empty text entry field.

Clearing Messages


You can clear the current dialogue for any user by pressing the “Clear” button.  You will be prompted to ensure that you really intend to permanently clear the messages for the currently selected user.

Notifications


When you receive messages, a message notification appears above the Messaging tab.  This allows you to see how many un-viewed messages you have received regardless of what panel you are currently viewing.  In the image below, Ron has received 3 messages that have not yet been viewed.

Viewing Messages


When messages have been received, folders will appear in the list on the left indicating who has sent them.  All messages are organized by the user who sent them to you.  A status indicator appears to the right of this folder telling you how many messages you have received from each user that have not yet been viewed.

Select any particular folder to view messages from a given user.  All messages that you have received from this user will appear in the list on the right.  Any messages that you have sent them will also appear interspersed with their messages.  This allows you to have a dialogue over time with any number of users.  Notice also in the next example that an automatic notification was posted that Bill had tried to contact Ron.

The notifier that indicates the number of un-viewed messages will disappear when you select a folder, indicating that you have now viewed these particular messages.


Sending Messages


When you select a user folder from the list on the left, you can now send that particular user a message.  Enter text in the entry field on the bottom right, and then hit the Return key.  This message will appear in your dialogue with this user, and will also be delivered to the other user either immediately, or later if they are currently offline.


Contact Browser


If the user you want to send a message to is not currently in your list, you can add a user to the list by pressing the “+” button.  This will present a panel with your personalized Contact list.  Select a user from this list and then press the OK button.  This user’s folder will now appear in your list and you can now enter and send messages to this person.