iChat Icon   Sending an instant message

An "instant message" is a message you send to a buddy that appears on your buddy's screen almost immediately after you send it. Unlike email, you don't have to wait for an instant message to be delivered and retrieved; your friend sees it immediately and can respond to you right away.

1.Double-click a person in your Buddy List.
2.In the chat window, type a short message, then press the Return key to send the message.
If your buddy responds, the response will appear in the window below the message you sent. The two of you can then send messages back and forth, with both of you able to see all messages.
You can send a picture or file with your message by dragging the item you want to send into the area where you enter the message.

You can have instant message sessions with several different people at once, each in its own window. Or, you can include multiple people in the same session by starting a chat and inviting all the buddies you want to participate.

You can use iChat AV to communicate with people who use Mac.com or AIM screen names. If your friends are using older versions of the AIM software, they might need to get a newer version of the AIM software in order to send messages to your Mac.com screen name, or to see when you are online.

Tell me more