Manuals:InstantMessaging

Instant Messaging

What is Instant Messaging for iSIKHNAS (iSIKHNAS-IM)?

Instant Messaging allows you to send short text messages from your phone to iSIKHNAS over the Internet instead of using SMS.

You must have a smart phone with an internet connection to use Instant Messaging

The benefits of iSIKHNAS-IM are:

• Cheaper - once you have an internet connection, there is no extra cost for sending an IM. Unlike SMS, you don't need to spend pulsa for each message you send.
• Bigger messages - Instant messages can be longer than SMS, so it is easier to send and receive more data
• Training - IM is useful for running training courses. You can demonstrate sending SMS messages, using IM from your computer, so the message and reply can be displayed on the screen or on a projector for others to see.

What messages can I send with iSIKHNAS-IM?

The message format with IM is exactly the same as with SMS. You can send any iSIKHNAS SMS message using IM. You will receive any response via IM as well, but alert messages to other users will always be sent by SMS. If you receive an alert message because of data submitted by another user, you will always receive it by SMS, not IM.

Setting up IM

What do I need?

To use iSIKHNAS-IM, you need:

1. Device
   1. a smart phone with an internet connection, or
   2. a computer with an internet connection. If you have a smartphone, you don't need a computer. This is just an extra optional way to use iSIKHNAS-IM.
2. An internet connection
   1. a mobile package from your operator for your smartphone, or
   2. WiFi or a wired Ethernet connection from your computer
3. A Gmail account - you can get this for free, or you may already have one
4. Software - an IM client
5. Registration - to connect to the iSIKHNAS IM server

Getting a Gmail account

To connect to iSIKHNAS-IM you need a Gmail account with Google.

If you already have a Gmail email address (yourname'@gmail.com) then you already have a Gmail account and you can use this.

If you don't have a Gmail account, you can get it for free:

• In a web browser, go to http://accounts.google.com

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• Click on the link at the bottom Create new account

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• Fill in the information (make sure you choose a good password) and then click Next step.

Smart phone set up

Internet-connected Smart phones are the best way to use iSIKHNAS-IM as you can send messages from the field with your phone, just like SMS.

Install the software

To use IM you need an instant messenger client. There are many different instant messenger clients available but not all of them work with iSIKHNAS-IM. For example WhatsApp, Blackberry Messenger (BBM) and Skype do not work with iSIKHNAS-IM. While different clients are possible, we recommend the following ones:

Select the client according to your operating system:

Android

• On your Smart Phone, go to the Android Play Store and search for IM+
• Click on Install.

• Click on Open to open the App

• Answer any initial questions
  • Use free version: click 'Use IM+'. You don't need to buy the App to use it, but buying it will remove any advertisements. Click the checkbox 'Don't show this screen again'.

• Create an account to exchange messages with iSIKHNAS-IM
  • Click on the Google Talk button

• Enter a name for your account, then click Login

Computer set up

This is optional. You don't need to use IM on a computer if you have a smartphone. Using a computer is good when:

• you want to teach others (so you can project the screen)
• you are sending many messages and prefer to type on a keyboard instead of your phone screen.