iChat Icon   Getting started

Setting your iChat AV status is important because it lets your friends know when you're available for chatting. Your status can be Available, which means you're online and willing to chat. If you're working and don't want to be disturbed, set your status to Away. This lets your friends know that you'd rather not be disturbed, but they can still send you a message. If you want complete privacy, change your status to Offline. You won't be able to send or receive any iChat AV messages.

You change your iChat AV status using the pop-up menu under your name in the Buddy List. You can also change your status, and see your online buddies, using the iChat AV status menu in the menu bar. If the status menu isn't in the menu bar, choose iChat > Preferences, click General, and select "Show status in the menu bar."

For help using iChat AV, type your question in the Help Viewer's search field, then press Return.