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Set-up Instructions for Windows Users

This section contains information on how to use Pidgin (Windows) to connect to the Okeanos Explorer chat room (Instant Messaging Service).

Connecting to the IM Server Using Pidgin (Windows)
This section provides step-by-step instructions on how to connect to the EX Instant Messenger Service using the Pidgin IM client for Windows.

Using the Pidgin Instant Messaging Client (Windows)
This section provides step-by-step instructions on how to use the EX Instant Messenging (IM) Service using the Pidgin IM client.

Connecting to the Chat Room Using Pidgin (Windows)
This section describes how to access and join the chat room and communicate with other participants using Pidgin (Windows).

 

Connecting to the IM Server Using Pidgin (Windows)

This section provides step-by-step instructions on how to connect to the EX Instant Messaging Service using the Pidgin Instant Messenger (IM) client for Windows.

Prerequisites

Connecting to the EX IM service requires an IM Client and a valid EX user account. The recommended IM client for Windows users is Pidgin, available for free download from http://noaasrs2.gso.uri.edu/pidgin-2.11.0-offline.exe.

Users who do not have an EX account should complete this form to request an account.

Connecting to the IM Server using Pidgin

  1. Open the “Pidgin” IM client
  2. Go to the “Accounts” menu on your taskbar at the top of your screen and select “Manage Accounts”
  3. When the “Accounts” window pops up, click on “Add Account”
  4. In the “Add Account” window, enter the information below:
    • Protocol: Select “XMPP”
    • Username: Your EX user account username.
    • Domain: "exdata.tgfoe.org"
    • Resource: A brief description of where you are connecting from i.e. "John's laptop" or "PMEL ECC".
    • Password: Your EX user account password
    • Local Alias: Type your name as you would like it to appear for others, i.e. "John Smith"
  5. Next, select the “Advanced” tab:
  6. Use the drop down menu next to Connection Security to select "Use encryption if available"
  7. Select the "Allow plaintext auth over unencrypted streams" checkbox
  8. Click “Save"

 

buddy list

Look at the Buddy List window to verify Pidgin is logged in.

buddy list

There is a bug in Pidgin that prevents other usernames from being correctly displayed in the buddy window. Fix this by restarting Pidgin.

Once you are logged in, your buddy list should populate with a list of the people logged in. If you do not see any buddies, click on the buddies menu, and hover over "show" then check "offline." If you still do not see any buddies please contact ex.collaborationtools@noaa.gov. Even if your buddy list is not populated you will be able to access the chat room.

 

Using the Pidgin Instant Messaging Client (Windows)

This section provides step-by-step instructions on how to use the EX Instant Messenging (IM) Service using the Pidgin IM client.

Prerequisites

Before proceeding the user must have an Instant Message (IM) client connected to the EX IM Service. For more information, please refer to: Connecting to the IM Server using Pidgin (Windows).

1 to 1 Chats

Once you have successfully connected to the EX IM Service, you may send/receive messages from other users. Your “Buddy List” window displays the names of other IM users that are currently online (optionally, the buddy list displays offline users in grey text). You may only send an IM to users who are currently online.

Initiating a 1-to-1 Chat

  1. Double click on the desired username in "Buddy List" window. This will open a "Conversation Window".
    • The Conversation Window allows you to exchange messages with the desired user.
    • The top portion of the Conversation Widows displays both sides of the conversation.
    • The bottom part of Conversation Windows is for submitting new messages.
    conversation
  2. Send a Message
    1. Enter text into the lower text box of the Conversation Window.
      • Use the "Font" button to change the size and font of the text. This is not recommended as it may potentially render incorrectly and confuse the user.
      • The "Insert" button allows you to send files, pictures, etc. to the other user. If you are sending files to/from the Okeanos, please be respectful of file sizes. Bandwidth to/from the vessel is limited.
      • You may use the "Smile!" button to send emoticons in you messages.
    2. When you are done composing your message, press the “Enter” key to submit it. Your message should appear in the top text field in the Conversation Window.

Your recipient's responses will appear in the larger window below your message. You can add new messages to the chat session at any time. When the conversation is complete you can end the session by closing the chat window.

Multiple 1-to-1 Chats

It is possible to engage in multiple 1-to-1 chats simultaneously. Additional chats will appear in the Conversation Window as tabs.

 

Connecting to the Chat Room Using Pidgin (Windows)

Group Chat, a.k.a Chat Rooms

Group chats or chat rooms allow two or more people to engage in a single conversation. It is possible to create new chat rooms as well as join chat rooms that are already in progress.

Creating a Chat Room

  1. From your “Buddy List” window, click the “Buddies” --> “Join a Chat".
  2. Enter a name for the chat room (i.e., "ROV Site Selection").
  3. Click "Join".
  4. If prompted to "configure the chat room," click "Accept Defaults". This will open a "Conversation Window". If a Conversation Window is already open, (i.e., you are engaged in a 1-to-1 chat), the chat room will appear as a new tab in the existing Conversation Window.
conversation

Conversation Windows for chat rooms have three sections:

  • The top text box is the chat window, it shows the conversation.
  • The bottom text box is where you submit new messages.
  • The right side of the Conversation Window is the room roster.

Adding Buddies

  1. To add a buddy to a chat room, drag the buddy's name from your buddy list to the roster section of the Conversation Window.
  2. When prompted, confirm the invite. You may optionally include a message explaining the purpose of the invitation to the invitee.

Joining an Existing Group Chat Room

If you wish to join a chat room already in progress there are two options.

  1. Have someone already in the chat room send you an invite.
  2. Search the Room List.

Searching the Chat Room List

  1. Click the "Room List" button.
    2. chat room
  2. When prompted for a Conference Server, type: "conference.exdata.tgfoe.org". This should be already be entered by default.
  3. Click "Find Rooms". This will populate the "Room List" window. You may have to move the "Join a Chat" window out of the way to see the "Room List" window.
  4. In the "Room List" window, select the chat room you wish to join and click the "Join" button. This will open the chat room window.
    5. chat room