Communicating in Real Time - Enjoying the Internet - Teach Yourself VISUALLY MacBook Pro, 2nd Edition (2014)

Teach Yourself VISUALLY MacBook Pro, 2nd Edition (2014)

Part III. Enjoying the Internet

Chapter 13. Communicating in Real Time

Chat with FaceTime

FaceTime is a great way to communicate because you can chat either via audio only or audio and video. You can use FaceTime to have a video chat with anyone who uses current versions of Macs, iPhones, iPod touches, or iPads. Before you can start having FaceTime chats, you need to set up FaceTime with your Apple ID. Once that is in place, conducting FaceTime chats is easy.

Chat with FaceTime

Configure FaceTime

image

image Click FaceTime (image) on the Dock.

image Click the FaceTime switch to move it to the On position.

The first time you turn on FaceTime, it prompts you to type your iCloud password.

image Type your password.

image Select the Remember this password in my keychain check box (image changes to image) if you want to store the password.

image Click Log In.

image Confirm or update your e-mail address.

Note: People use your e-mail address to request a FaceTime session.

image Click Next.

FaceTime verifies the address you used, and then displays the Contacts pane.

Conduct a FaceTime Chat

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image Click Contacts.

You see the contacts in your Contacts.

image Click the contact with whom you want to have a FaceTime session.

The contact's details appear.

image

image Click FaceTime.

Note: To use a phone number, the person with whom you want to have a FaceTime session must have an iPhone 4 or later.

FaceTime notifies the contact and requests a session.

If the contact accepts your request, the FaceTime session starts and you can hear and see your contact. If the contact declines, is not available, or does not have a FaceTime capable device, you see a “not available” message.

Note: If you do not see the buttons on the screen, move the pointer over the window and they appear.

image

A You can drag the preview window that the other person is seeing to change its location.

image Mute the audio and darken the video by clicking Mute (image).

image Click Full Screen (image) to have a full screen FaceTime window.

image Click End to end the FaceTime session.

TIP

Are there easier ways to find someone to have a FaceTime chat with?

Yes. Click the Recents tab at the bottom of the Contacts pane to display a list of the people with whom you have had a FaceTime chat recently. You can request a FaceTime session by clicking one of the recent FaceTime chats. You can also save a contact as a favorite by viewing the contact and clicking Add to Favorites; you can then request a chat from the contact by double-clicking the favorite on the Favorites tab.

Explore Messages

The Messages application has all the features that you need for text, audio, and video chats. After you configure Messages, you can use it to communicate with people in any format you choose. Messages can even help when you have computer problems, because you can use it to share the desktop of your MacBook Pro with someone else over the Internet or over a local network.

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A Messages Window

Text conversations appear in the Messages window.

B Person You Are Texting

At the top of the window, you see the person with whom you are texting.

C Other Person's Last Text

On the left side of the window, you see the last text from the other person involved in the conversation.

D Your Recent Comments

On the right side of the window, you see your most recent contributions to the conversation.

E Text Box

When you want to add to the conversation, you can type text in the text box.

F Emoticon Menu

You can add emoticons to a conversation by selecting them from the menu.

image

A Audio Chat Window

When you audio chat with people, you see a visual representation of the sounds you hear.

B Person Involved or Number of People

At the top of the window, you see the name of the person you are chatting with. If you are chatting with multiple people, you see the number of people.

C Each Person Participating

Participants in the conversation have their own sound bar so that you can see when they speak.

D Your Volume Level

The bottom bar represents how loud your speech is.

E Add Button

You can click Add (image) to add more people to the conversation.

F Mute Button

You can click Mute (image) to mute your sound.

G Volume Slider

You can use this slider to set the volume level of a conversation.

image

A Video Chat Window

This window shows each of the people with whom you are having a video conference.

B Participant Windows

Each participant gets her own window for the chat.

C Your Window

During a video chat, you see yourself as the other participants see you.

D Effects

You can use the Effects tools to apply a variety of interesting effects to the video.

E Add

You can add up to three other people in a video conference.

F Mute

You can click Mute (image) to block sound from your end.

G Full Screen

When you click Full Screen (image), the video conference fills the desktop.

image

A Shared Screen

You can use Messages to view and control another person's computer.

B Your Computer

When you are sharing a desktop, you see a preview of your desktop; you can click it to move back to your computer.

C Shared Applications

When someone shares a screen with you, you can work with applications and documents on her computer just as if you were seated in front of it.

Configure Messages Accounts

Before you start chatting, you need to configure the accounts you are going to use to chat. With an iCloud account, you can have text chats. With an America Online Instant Messenger, or AIM, account, you can also have audio and video chats. You can also chat with the Jabber instant message service and with Google Talk. To set up chat accounts, you use the Messages Preferences window. The type of account you use determines which features you can use in Messages.

Configure Messages Accounts

Create Accounts

image

image Click Messages (image) on the Dock.

The Messages application opens.

Note: The first time you start up Messages, the Setup Assistant walks you through creating an account.

image Click Messages.

The Messages menu opens.

image Click Preferences.

The Preferences window opens.

image Click Accounts.

imageClick Add (image).

The Choose a messages account to add dialog opens.

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image Select the account type (image changes to image). This example uses Google.

image Click Continue.

A dialog for entering the account information opens.

image

image Type your name the way you want it to appear.

image Type your e-mail address.

image Type your password.

image Click Set Up.

A dialog opens, showing controls for choosing which applications to use with the account.

image

image Select the check box (image changes to image) for each application you want to use.

imageClick Done.

The account appears in the Accounts pane in the Preferences window.

TIPS

How do I disable a chat account I am not using?

Click Messages and then click Preferences to open the Preferences window. Click Accounts in the upper tab bar to display the Accounts pane. Click Account Information in the lower tab bar to display the Account Information pane. Deselect the Enable this account check box (image changes to image).

How do I change the format of my text messages?

Click Messages and then click Preferences to open the Preferences window. Click Viewing to display the Viewing pane. Here, you can change the fonts and colors used during text chats along with the background colors.

Chat with Text

Text chatting is a great way to have real-time conversations with other people while not consuming all of your and their attention throughout the conversation. With Messages, you can also include photos and documents in your chats.

The easy way to start chats with your contacts is to set them up as buddies in Messages. You can then quickly access your buddies from the Buddies list.

Chat with Text

Add a Buddy

image In the Messages application, press image+image.

The Buddies window opens.

Note: You can also click Window on the menu bar and then click Buddies to open the Buddies window.

image

image At the bottom of the Buddies list, click Add (image).

image Click Add Buddy.

image

image Type the buddy's account name.

image Select the group in which you want to place the buddy.

image Type the buddy's first name.

image Type the buddy's last name.

image Click Add.

Messages adds the person to your Buddies list.

Start a Text Chat

image

image Press image+image.

The Buddies window opens.

image Double-click the buddy with whom you want to chat.

A The Messages window becomes active.

B An entry appears in the left column for the buddy with whom you plan to chat.

image Type your message.

image Press image.

Messages sends your message and adds it to the message log at the top of the window next to your icon.

image

image Read the reply.

C You can view images included in the chat.

image Type your response.

image To add an emoticon, click the pop-up menu and select the appropriate icon.

image Press image.

TIPS

How do I respond when someone wants to chat with me?

When someone wants to chat with you, a new message appears in the Message list along the left side of the Messages window and you hear the new message sound. Click the message and read its content. You can then reply to the message.

How can I send a photo in a text chat?

Drag the photo's file from a Finder window or the desktop and drop it into the conversation. Messages adds it as a button in the text field. If you want to send text along with the photo, type the text. Press image. Messages sends the text and photo to the person with whom you are chatting. When that person accepts the file transfer, the photo appears in the Messages window.

Chat with Audio

Text chatting is great, but being able to talk to someone can be even better. Using the Messages audio chat feature, you can have conversations with one or more people at the same time at no cost to you. Before you start talking, take a moment to set up your MacBook Pro microphone; you can use the built-in microphone or you can use an external microphone, such as a USB or Bluetooth headset.

Chat with Audio

Check the Microphone

image

image Control+click System Preferences (image) on the Dock.

image Click Sound.

image Click Input.

image Click the microphone to use.

A As you speak, the input level indicator shows the relative input volume.

image Drag the input volume slider to set the input volume.

image Select the Use ambient noise reduction check box (image changes to image) to reduce background noise.

image Click Close (image).

Audio Chat

image

image Click Messages (image) on the Dock.

image Press image+image to open the Buddies window if it is not open already.

image Click the buddy with whom you want to chat.

image Click Start an Audio Chat (image).

Note: If the Start an Audio Chat icon (image) is unavailable, the buddy is not capable of audio chatting with you.

The Audio Chat window opens and Messages attempts to connect to the buddy you selected. If the person is available and accepts your chat request, the audio chat begins.

image Speak to the person and listen as you would on a telephone.

image

image To change the volume, drag the slider to the left to decrease the volume level, or to the right to increase it.

image To add another person to the chat, click Add (image).

image Click the buddy you want to add.

After the second person accepts, all three of you are able to hear each other.

image

Note: You can add further people by repeating steps 7 and 8.

image When you are done, click Close (image).

The chat window closes.

TIPS

How do I avoid chat requests?

To prevent any chat requests from popping up, you need to quit Messages. If you want to show your status to others, open the Status pop-up menu just below your name at the top of the Buddies window. Choose the status you want them to see on their Buddy lists. Select Offline if you do not want to chat. To chat again, select Available from the menu.

How do I respond to an audio chat request?

When someone wants to have an audio chat, a prompt appears and you hear the invite tone. Click the prompt. Click Accept to start the chat, click Decline to avoid it, or click Text Reply to reply with text. If you decline, the person who requested the chat sees a message saying that you have declined.

Chat with Video

Earlier, you saw how easy it is to use FaceTime to video chat with someone. You can also use Messages to video chat. Messages has some benefits over FaceTime. One is that you can chat with more than one person at the same time. Another benefit is that the people with whom you chat only need a video chat-capable application, instead of requiring FaceTime. Conducting a video chat is similar to an audio chat. First, make sure your video and audio are set up correctly. Second, start a chat.

Chat with Video

Check the Camera

image

image Click Camera (image) next to your name at the top of the Buddies or Bonjour list.

The My FaceTime HD Camera window opens.

image Move your MacBook Pro or yourself until the image is what you want others to see.

image When you are satisfied with the view, click Close (image).

The My FaceTime HD Camera window closes.

Video Chat

image Press image+image to open the Buddies window if it is not open already.

image

image Click Camera (image) to the right of your buddy.

Note: If the Camera button does not appear, the buddy is not able to video chat with you.

The Video Chat window opens and Messages attempts to connect to the buddy you selected. If the person is available and accepts your chat request, the video chat begins.

image

A You see the buddy's image in the window.

B The inset preview window shows you what the other person is seeing in his chat window.

image Drag the preview window to where you want it to be on the screen.

Note: See the section “Add Effects and Backgrounds to Video Chats” to apply interesting effects during your chats.

image To mute your end of the conversation, click Mute (image); click it again to resume your conversation.

C To make the window fill the desktop, you can click Full Screen (image).

image

image To add another person to the conversation, click Add (image).

The Add pop-up menu opens.

image Click the buddy you want to add.

When the person accepts your invitation, a third video window appears and you see the second person.

You can see and talk to the other people, and they can see and talk to each other.

image When you are done, click Close (image).

The Video Chat window closes.

TIP

How many people can I have in a video or audio conference at the same time?

You can have up to four participants, including yourself, in a single video conference. You can have up to ten people, including yourself, in an audio conference at the same time.

Add Effects and Backgrounds to Video Chats

To enliven your video chats, you can apply special effects to the images being shown during a video chat, and you can apply background images or movies to video chats to make them more interesting. With a motion background, it appears as if you are in front of or in whatever the background is; this is like the green screen technique used during weather broadcasts, movies, and so on. A static image as a background can also make it appear that you are somewhere you are not.

Add Effects and Backgrounds to Video Chats

image

image Start a video chat.

Note: You can apply an effect after placing a call and before your buddy answers.

image Click Effects.

The Video Effects palette opens.

A You can click Next (image) and Previous (image) to move through the various Effects screens.

image Click the effect, image, or video that you want to apply.

B Messages applies the effect to your image.

image

image Click Next (image) until you see the video backgrounds.

image Click a video background.

image Move out of the camera view at the prompt.

image When the prompt disappears, move back into the picture.

C Messages applies the background to your video.

image Click Original in the middle of the Video Effects palette to remove the effect.

Share Documents via Messages

Chatting via Messages is a great way to collaborate on work as well as to catch up with friends. Whether you are using Messages for work or for play, you might want to transfer files back and forth. For example, if you are discussing a work project, you might want to share a document or a spreadsheet.

You can send and receive files easily, either directly from Messages or by dragging in the files from a Finder window. The recipient gets to decide whether to accept the file.

Share Documents via Messages

image

image Start a chat.

This example shows a text chat, but you can share files during an audio chat or a video chat as well.

image Click Buddies.

The Buddies menu opens.

image Click Send File.

The Send File sheet opens.

image

image Navigate to the file and click it.

image Click Send.

Messages adds a button for the file to the text box.

image Type any explanatory text needed.

image Press image.

Note: You can also send a file to a buddy by Control+clicking the buddy's icon in the Buddies list and then clicking Send File. In the sheet that opens, click the file, and then click Send to send it.

Share Desktops with Others

You can share your desktop so that the people with whom you are chatting can see and control what happens on your computer. When you share someone else's screen, you can see and control his computer. Sharing screens is a great way to collaborate on projects, to share information, or to troubleshoot Mac problems.

Share Desktops with Others

Share Your Desktop

image Press image+image to open the Buddies window if it is not open already.

image

image Click your buddy.

image Click Start Screen Sharing (image).

image Click Share My Screen with buddy, where buddy is the name of the buddy you selected.

image

A When the buddy accepts your invitation, he can control your MacBook Pro and see what you do on the desktop. You can chat to discuss what you are doing.

B The Screen Sharing menu icon appears and alternates between image and image.

image To end screen sharing, click Screen Sharing (image or image) on the menu bar.

The Screen Sharing menu opens.

image Click End Screen Sharing.

The sharing connection ends.

Share a Desktop Belonging to Someone Else

image Press image+image to open the Buddies window.

image

image Click your buddy.

image Click Start Screen Sharing (image).

image Click Ask to Share buddy's Screen.

Messages sends a share request to the buddy. When he accepts, screen sharing begins.

image

C Your buddy's desktop appears on your screen, either full screen or in a large window.

D Your desktop appears in a small window labeled My Computer.

Note: You can move the My Computer window around the screen if it blocks the part of the shared desktop that you want to see.

image You can work with the buddy's computer just as if you were sitting in front of it.

image To move back to your desktop, click the My Computer window.

The two windows flip-flop so that your desktop now appears full screen.

image To end screen sharing, click Screen Sharing (image or image) on the menu bar.

image Click End Screen Sharing.

The sharing connection ends.

TIP

How do I know when someone wants to share his screen with me?

You receive a screen-sharing invitation in Messages. When you click the invitation, you have the following options: Accept to start screen sharing, Decline to prevent it, or Text Reply to send back a text message. If you choose to share the person's screen, you are able to see and control that person's computer.

Communicate with Twitter

Twitter is a popular way to communicate in very short messages called tweets. Each tweet can be up to 140 characters long. You can follow someone on Twitter, which means you can see any messages she posts to her Twitter account. You can respond to tweets on someone's account. You can also post messages on your account, and people who follow you can read them. To use Twitter, you need a Twitter account; you can then tweet either using an application or the Twitter website, which you can access in Safari or another browser. A Twitter account is free, as are many Twitter applications.

Communicate with Twitter

Set Up Your Twitter Account

Note: To obtain a Twitter account, visit http://twitter.com.

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image Click Apple (image).

The Apple menu opens.

image Click System Preferences.

The System Preferences window opens.

image Click Internet Accounts.

The Internet Accounts pane opens.

image

image Click Twitter.

The Twitter dialog opens.

image Type your user name.

image Type your password.

image Click Next.

Another Twitter dialog opens.

imageClick Sign In.

OS X signs you into Twitter.

Your Twitter account appears in the Internet Accounts pane.

Send and Read Twitter Messages

image Open your Twitter application and sign in to your Twitter account if required.

Note: You can also use Twitter by visiting http://twitter.com.

image

A You see the messages from people you are following.

image Scroll the window to read all the tweets.

image To tweet a message to your followers, click Tweet (image).

image

image Type your tweet.

image Click Tweet.

Anyone who follows you can see the message in his Twitter feed.

TIPS

How do I find and install a Twitter application?

Open the App Store application. In the Search box, type Twitter. There are a number of Twitter applications. Click the Install button for the application you want to use. OS X downloads the application and installs it. You can then run the application from Launchpad.

How else can I use Twitter?

You can share photos and other content on Twitter. To do so, select the item you want to send via Twitter, click the Share button, and click Twitter. The item you selected is sent in a tweet.