====ARDI Messages Panel====

//Note that this describes the Messages Panel found in ARDI clients such as ARDI-VE, ARDI-AR and ARDI-360 only. It does not cover collaboration interfaces found in other products//

The Messages Panel allows you to read, respond and send messages to individuals or people in your [[group|group]].

===Reading the Panel===

{{:ardi-collab:collabchat2.png?500 |}}

===Closing the Panel===

Press the teal-coloured 'Close Panel' button to hide the panel.

===Message Format===

Each message appears in its own small box. You can scroll through previous messages to read the conversation so far.

The message box shows the senders name in the top-right hand corner.

===Sending a Message===

Type your message in the area provided at the bottom of the panel, then hit 'Enter/Return' to send it.

===Accepting or Ignoring a Share===

Share requests are shaded red, compared to the white of text chat messages.

If you would like to accept a share request, press the 'Accept' link (the blue text in the share message).

If you would like to //ignore// a share request, right-click the accept link instead.

===Changing Your Collaboration Username===

Simply click on the name at the top-right of the Group Panel to change your username.

By default, this will be the ID of your computer (many ARDI clients run on shared systems). However you can feel free to change your name to anything else you would like.

Note that this does **not** have to be your system username. Nicknames are perfectly acceptable, as long as they are going to be understood by other system users.

===Ending Private Chat===

If you've chosen to communicate directly with another user, you might need to **stop** doing so. Your username will appear as **[//<you>// Connected To //<them>//]**. Simply click on their name and you will return to chatting with the group.