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iChat Tips for a Newbie

jusacruiser

jusacruiser

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Mar 15, 2009
343
14
Palm Beach, Florida
I have a couple of questions regarding the iChat.

When signing up for the first time, do I just go directly into iChat? Should I have either a Googletalk or Yahoo Instant Messenger set up ahead of time and then sign into Apple iChat?

Also, somebody recommended that I use "Adium" instant messaging because it is compatible with all the different Instant Messaging Services.

I guess what I am asking for is a few get started pointers. :confused:

Thank you!
 
Any instant messenger will require an already-created account.

I personally would recommend Adium for its wide feature set. Although, if you need voice and video, you may want to either stick with iChat or use iChat just for that purpose.
 
Follow-up Questions

Caleb531 said:
Any instant messenger will require an already-created account.

I personally would recommend Adium for its wide feature set. Although, if you need voice and video, you may want to either stick with iChat or use iChat just for that purpose.
Click to expand...

I am not sure I know what you mean. I thought with Adium, you can do everything.....iChat, text, video, etc. Are you able to elaborate a little? Sorry for all the silly questions.

How do you have your iChat set up?
 
jusacruiser said:
I am not sure I know what you mean. I thought with Adium, you can do everything.....iChat, text, video, etc. Are you able to elaborate a little? Sorry for all the silly questions.

How do you have your iChat set up?
Click to expand...

No, because Adium is all I need. The one thing Adium doesn't do is audio and video chats, whereas iChat does. So the deciding factor is whether or not you stick with Adium or iChat (although keep in mind you can use iChat just for audio and video chats, and Adium for everything else).

If I were you, I'd pick Adium.
 
You can just make an account directly in iChat. No need to make another outside one. Unless you want of course.

No comment on the Adium.
 
Caleb531 said:
No, because Adium is all I need. The one thing Adium doesn't do is audio and video chats, whereas iChat does. So the deciding factor is whether or not you stick with Adium or iChat (although keep in mind you can use iChat just for audio and video chats, and Adium for everything else).

If I were you, I'd pick Adium.
Click to expand...

I thought that iChat IS video chat. I do want to be able to do video chat, so i am thinking that i won't be able to do adium.

millertime021 said:
You can just make an account directly in iChat. No need to make another outside one. Unless you want of course.

No comment on the Adium.
Click to expand...

Ok, I may try it. I think that if I do it that way, I get a "Mac.com" address. Not sure how it works. I will just have to start experimenting.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Instant Messaging Services

I read the instructions for iChat on the Apple Website.

They said that only certain IM services may be used with iChat. These IM services were Google Talk, Mobile Me and AIM. Most notably absent from the services that could be used was Yahoo. Yahoo was not on the list for Video Chat.

What are you thoughts? What Instant Messaging Services are best?
:confused:
 
I'm relatively new to iChat. I started using it about a year ago when I got a Macbook, and now use iChat to video with my family on the iMac when I'm on the road. I signed up for two free AIM accounts (one the generic family account, and one for me) and use those. I can't speak for other options, but the AIM accounts work well. I forget the particulars, but it was easy to set up - I'm at work right now on a Windoze machine or I might be able to describe in more detail. When I originally set it up I followed directions from Pogue's book, The Missing Manual. I find that a good reference for figuring out how to do things on OSX (even though the version of the book I have is for Tiger and I'm now on Snow Leopard).

The one problem I had when originally setting it up was that I was then using my iMac for internet access for the Macbook via sharing the internet connection on airport. You have to internet sharing turned off. That isn't an issue as now I use an Airport Express.
 
I tried video chatting with my friend through ichat but he couldnt see me for some reason. I was on my gmail account with ichat open and he was on his gmail account but was using the gmail website to chat instead of ichat, is that the reason we couldnt view eachother?
 
Need help to answer ichat question....

i3igsmooth5769 said:
I tried video chatting with my friend through ichat but he couldnt see me for some reason. I was on my gmail account with ichat open and he was on his gmail account but was using the gmail website to chat instead of ichat, is that the reason we couldnt view eachother?
Click to expand...

I don't know why you could not see each other. Maybe someone else can jump in here and explain.....

:confused:
 
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