Instant Messenger Client

Instant Messenger is Instant Messaging’s client that can be configured to be a browser-based applet using Java plugin, or a standalone Java application using Java^TM Web Start.

To run Instant Messenger client on Solaris or Linux, you must use Java Web Start. On Microsoft Windows you can run Instant Messenger as an applet or a Java Web Start application. In most cases, run Instant Messenger as a Java Web Start application.

For more information on customizing Instant Messenger, see the Sun Java System Instant Messaging 7.2 Administration Guide.

Instant Messenger provides the following modes of communication:

• Chat. Instant Messenger’s version of Instant Messaging conferences is called chat. Chat is a real-time conversation capability that enables end users to complete projects, answer customer queries, and complete other time-critical assignments. Chat sessions (two or more participants) are held in chat rooms created on a need basis.

• Conference Rooms. Conference rooms are persistent chat rooms that work similarly to regular chat sessions, but offer:

  • Access control

  • Moderated chats

• Alerts. Alerts enable information delivery and response to end users through the Instant Messenger interface. Alerts can deliver time-critical information to the end user. The sender of the alert message is notified when the message is delivered and read by the recipient. You can also configure Instant Messaging to forward alerts to an email address.

• Poll. The polling function enables you to ask end users for their response to a question. You can send a question and possible answers to poll recipients, and the recipients can respond with their selected answer.

• News. News channels are forums for posting and sharing information. End users can subscribe to news channels of interest to see updates using the URL of the news channels or view the news channel updates through static messages. Administrators control news channel access by assigning end users to the channels they need, and deciding who can see or post information to the channels.

Instant messages can contain embedded URLs. If you are using proxy servers, you might need to have clients using Java Web Start modify their proxy configuration for resolving such URLs.

For more information on configuring the proxy settings manually, see the Sun Java System Instant Messaging 7.2 Administration Guide.