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Friday August 2nd, 2013

OIT > Computing > Instant Messaging > iChat

Instant Messaging with iChat

Summary: This document aids you in configuring the iChat client for use with OIT Instant Messaging.

iChat is included with Mac OS X. Version 3.0 is required for Jabber instant messaging systems such as OIT Instant Messaging, and is included with Mac OS X 10.4 "Tiger". If you are running an earlier version of iChat, you will need to use another client such as Adium.

This documentation was tested on version 4.0.7 on Mac OS X 10.5.6.

Setting Up Your Jabber Account

  1. Go to the iChat menu, select Preferences.
  2. In the Accounts tab, click the plus sign (+) to add a new account. (See Figure 1)
Account Information Screenshot
Figure 1
  1. Select Jabber Account from the Account Type pop-up. (See Figure 2)
Jabber Account Screenshot
Figure 2
  1. In the Account Name field, enter your UCInetID in the form of UCInetID@uci.edu . (Substitute your own UCInetID)
  2. In the Password field, enter your UCInetID password.
  3. Click the triangle next to Server Options to show the server information fields.
  4. In the Server field, type chat.nacs.uci.edu
  5. Check the box next to Use SSL (See Figure 3)
  6. Click the Done button.
Figure 3: Jabber Account
Figure 3
  1. Back in the Accounts window, make sure "Use this account" to enable your new Jabber account is checked. (See Figure 4)
  2. If you want iChat to automatically login to OIT Instant Messaging, check "When iChat opens, automatically log in".
  3. Close the Accounts window by clicking the red circle in the top left corner.
Fugure 4: Account Information
Figure 4

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Adding People to Your Jabber Buddy List

When you add someone to your Buddy List using Jabber, you are initially sending a request to be added. The person you are adding will need to authorize you as a contact before you can communicate with them via Jabber. Currently, OIT Instant Messaging can only communicate with other XMPP/Jabber systems in the .edu or .gov domains.

  1. To add someone to your Jabber buddy list, click the + (plus) icon at the bottom of the Jabber List window.
  2. Select Add Buddy... from the list (See Figure 5)
    Figure 5: Add Buddy
    Figure 5
  3. In the Account Name field, type in the other person's UCInetID-based Jabber ID, in the form of UCInetID@uci.edu . (See Figure 6)
    (Be sure to substitute the person's actual UCInetID.)
  4. Type in the First and Last Name to make it easier to identify your contact. This is optional. You may also add your new contact to a group, if you have set this up.
  5. Click the Add button.

    Figure 6: New Buddy
    Figure 6

  6. Your new contact should receive a request for authorization. Once he or she confirms you, you will be able to communicate via iChat using text chat.

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Audio and Video Chat

One benefit of using iChat to communicate with your colleagues is that if they are also using iChat, you can use audio or video chat with them in addition to text chatting. They will need to have a computer with a firewire camera or microphone. All newer iMacs and Apple laptops come with built in iSight cameras, so chances are good that they will have the right hardware.

Audio Chat

  1. In your Buddy List, you will see icons next to your buddy's image. Look for the one that looks like a telephone.
  2. Click on the telephone icon to start your audio chat.
    iChat Audio Icon
  3. An audio chat window will open up on your computer and an invitation will be sent to your buddy. (He or she may hear a phone ringing sound in iChat.) When your call is accepted, your Audio Chat window will show a "connecting" message. You should see a levels meter when you're connected. You can now talk to each other over iChat.
  4. To end the chat, simply close the audio chat window.

Video Chat

For video chat to work well, both people will need to have a high speed Internet connection.

  1. If you and your iChat buddy both have FireWire cameras connected to your computers or built-in cameras, you can video chat with each other. You may need to enable your Camera in the Video menu.
  2. To start a video chat, select your buddy in the Buddy list and click the camera icon next to his or her name.
    iChat Video Icon
  3. A video chat window opens up on your computer and a video chat invitation gets sent to your buddy. When he or she accepts, you will see his or her face in the video chat window.
  4. To end the chat, simply close the video chat window.

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iChat Conference

You can text, audio or video chat with more than one person at a time. You can connect to many people via text, up to 10 people via audio and up to 4 people in video chat. (Your system must support this. See the iChat support page for more information on iChat system requirements.)

  1. Select the people you want to participate in your conference. Hold down the Command key to select more than one.
  2. If you want to start a text conference, click the A button at the bottom of the window.
    If you want to start an audio conference, click the Phone button at the bottom of the window.
    If you want to start a video conference, click the Camera icon at the bottom of the window.
  3. As your participants join your conference, they will be able to send text, talk or video chat with everyone who joins.
  4. You or anyone can leave the conference at any time by closing the chat window. The chat will continue as long as at least two people are participating.

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