How to Use Google+ Chat

In this illustrated tutorial, users will learn how to:

·         Sign-in to Chat

·         Use the Most Popular Chat Functions

·         Search for Friends on Chat

·         Enable Circles for Chat, and

·         Set Your Availability

Where to Find the Google+ Chat Panel

To begin sending and receiving IMs with your G+ contacts, locate the section labeled as "Chat" on the left-hand column upon signing in to your account. While most users will already be signed in, you may be required to sign in to Google Talk services. Click the "Sign in" link and enter your ID and password to continue.

Next, Google Plus users will want to try sending an instant message to get the hang of the social network's embedded chat client. Click the name of any contact to open an IM window for that contact.

In Google Plus, IM windows appear in the bottom right-hand corner.

What Do Those Icons Mean in Google+?

By looking at the buddy list illustrated above, you can quickly see there are a number of icons you will see as you use the Chat feature in Google Plus. Here is a quick rundown of these icons:

·         Green Dots: The green circle icon signifies a user is available for chat.

·         Yellow Dots: Yellow circles mean the user is idle. When this occurs, IMs sent to that user may not be answered right away as they either have stepped away from the computer without setting availability to away, or have not touched Google+ in awhile.

·         Red Dots: Red circle icons signify the user is busy and should not be interrupted.

·         Gray Dots: Gray circles mean the contact is offline and cannot respond to messages.

·         Camera Icons: When you see the camera icon, it means the user has enabled their webcam and may be available for video chat in a Hangout somewhere. Camera icons which appear yellow or red carry the same meaning as the dot icons above.

Once an instant message has been opened in Google Plus, you have abundant options and opportunities to create the best possible chat experience. With a myriad of Chat settings and functions available, it can get a little overwhelming.

In this section of the tutorial, I will explain all the settings available from your Chat window and how each work. The illustrated diagram above can be used to help put each description in the proper context.

Google+ Chat Settings, Functions

1.        Availability: As discussed previously, users can set their Chat to reflect their availability to send and receive messages. The icon in the top, left corner is your contact's availability.

2.        Collapse: By clicking this icon, the window will shrink along the bottom of the page. To expand the window, re-click the icon.

3.        Pop-Out: The pop-out feature is especially helpful for users who want to continue chatting, but need to collapse the Google+ window or the browser completely. This setting can also be of use to people with vision problems who desire larger text.

4.        Close: Clicking the X will close the window to your chat entirely. If you accidentally click this while in conversation, you can re-click the contact's name from the buddy list to re-open the window.

5.        Actions Panel: In this drop-down menu, a number of important features are housed, including:

·         On the Record/Off the Record: With this feature, users can choose whether to have chat records/logs saved within their Gmail account. By clicking "Off the Record," you disable chat logging. Clicking "On the Record" again enables IMs records to be logged.

·         Block a User: Need to block someone on Google Plus? By clicking this feature, you will disable any incoming IMs from that user.

·         Send a File: File sharing is also included with Google+ Chat. Simply click this option, choose your file and send. Simple and an easier way to share photos, documents and more.

6.        Emoticons: The fun, animated emoticons of Gmail and Google Talk fame are also included for use in your G+ IMs. Click the emoticon face, select the smiley you desire with your cursor and send the message.

7.        Text Field: In this field, you will enter your messages. Once complete, hit "Enter" on your keyboard to send the IM.

8.        Message Window: Once sent, your IMs (and messages received from your contact) will appear in this window.

9.        Chat Invite: Similar to the Huddle feature on Google Plus for Android, users can add additional contacts to an ongoing conversation by clicking this icon. Enter the name of the user you wish to invite to chat into the field provided and send.

10.     Audio Chat: In addition to text-based chat, G+ users also have a number of multimedia chat options, including audio chat. Requires the Google Video/Audio Chat plugin and a microphone. Headphones are highly recommended to reduce echo.

11.     Video Chat: Users with a webcam connected to their computer can also enjoy video chat with Google Plus friends in Hangouts, with up to ten different people. Plugin required.

As with other instant messaging programs, Google Plus allows users to set their availability to signify whether they can send or receiving IMs. When you set your availability, a coded icon will appear next to your name on your contact's buddy lists.

A Closer Look at Availability on Google+

In this section of the tutorial, I will show you how to set your Google Plus availability on Chat. To begin, click on the "Availability" tab under the Chat search bar. A pop-up menu will appear with the following options:

·         Available: By choosing this option, you signify you are at your computer and able to send and receiving messages. The available setting is the default.

·         Busy: The busy setting should be used whenever you must step away from your desk or computer for an extended period of time. Otherwise, you might have IMs stack up and people waiting for a reply!

·         Invisible: Want to chat without people knowing you are signed in? Using this setting makes you appear as offline, leaving you free to choose who you want to chat with without interruption. You may still, however, receive messages from persons who believe you will receive it when you sign back in.

·         Sign Out: How do you sign out of Google Plus chat and disable receiving messages altogether? This is the answer. Click this to really go offline and close the buddy list. You will still be able to use Google Plus.

The availability panel also features two options, including "Chat settings" and "Help," which allows you to set the source of your webcam video and audio for chat, enable high-resolution video, enable or disable sounds when you receive a message and find additional articles and resources for using Google Plus.

If you build up a lot of Google Plus contacts, chances are you may need some help locating them on your buddy list when you want to Chat. Fortunately, the developers have included a powerful search feature which can help comb quickly through the list and return relevant results.

To use the search feature, simply click within the search field (as illustrated above) and type as much of the contact's name as you know. In some instances, even the first letter of their name may yield a positive result as search reacts quickly.

Click the contact's name to begin a Chat. If the contact does not have chat enabled, a link will appear which reads "Invite to chat" next to their name.

A message will be receiving in Gmail inviting that user to connect with you to chat. They will not appear online or off on your buddy list until they accept your invitation.

In addition to adding and inviting people to chat one-by-one, Google Plus users can also enable an entire Circle of contacts at once using the Chat settings.

Click the drop-down menu arrow at the top of the Chat feature, and select "Circles." A window will appear with all the Circles you have created. By checking the check box next to each, you allow those persons to be added to your buddy list, and to send and receive IMs with you.

Once you have selected all the Circles you wish to be able to chat with, click the blue "Enable Chat" button. To remove a Circle from having Chat access with you, simply follow the steps above, de-selecting the Circle before clicking "Enable Chat."

Source :  http://im.about.com/od/im-clients/ss/how-to-use-google-plus-chat.htm