FAQ for GroupWise Messenger


What is GroupWise Messenger?
  GroupWise Messenger (IM) provides employees and students at AASU a means to conduct instant communications in a secure environment on and off campus.
Who can use the GroupWise Messenger Client?
  GroupWise Messenger (IM) is available to all faculty, staff, and students who have an AASU email account.
Why should I use the GroupWise Messenger Client and not AOL or Yahoo?
  AASU GroupWise Messenger server processes all communications within the AASU network environment. Since AASU Messenger does not send IM sessions to external servers, you will only be able to communicate with other AASU Messenger users. Therefore, you are strongly encouraged to use the AASU GroupWise Messenger for your campus IM communications.

Benefits of Using the AASU Messenger over other Instant Message tools: Many of you are familiar with the convenience and quickness of instant messenger programs. What you may not be aware of is that these popular IM programs, such as Netscape/AOL IM, process your communication session in an unsecured manner. Even though you are in an IM session with the person down the hall, your Netscape/AOL IM session sends what you type back to the off-site AOL server in order to deliver it to the recipient. This creates a major security problem if IM communications revolve around work-related information that contains confidential or sensitive student or employee information.
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How do I get the GroupWise Messenger Client?
 

To install the AASU Messenger client, visit https://messenger.armstrong.edu:8300. If you receive a security alert prompt, click “Yes” to continue.

What workstation requirements are required to use GroupWise Messenger Client?
 

Any of the following desktop operating systems for the GroupWise Messenger Windows client:
•  Windows 2000 on a Pentium* 200 or higher with at least 128 MB of RAM
•  Windows XP Professional on a Pentium 300 or higher with at least 128 MB of RAM
•  Windows Server 2003 on a Pentium 300 or higher with at least 128 MB of RAM
•  Windows Server 2003 R2 on a Pentium 300 or higher with at least 128 MB of RAM
•  20 MB of free disk space on each user's workstation to install the Windows client

Any of the following desktop operating systems for the GroupWise Messenger Cross-Platform client:
•  Novell Linux Desktop, plus the KDE desktop or the GNOME* desktop
•  SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop 10, plus the KDE desktop or the GNOME desktop
•  Red Hat * Desktop 4 or Red Hat Enterprise Linux WS 4, plus the GNOME desktop
•  Macintosh OS 10.2 (Jaguar), Macintosh OS 10.3 (Panther), or Macintosh OS 10.4 (Tiger)
•  4 MB of free disk space for the client
•  86 MB of free disk space for the Java Virtual Machine version 2.5.0

Do I need to have GroupWise email client installed to use GroupWise Messenger?
  No, the GroupWise Messenger is a separate program from the GroupWise email client.
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How do I login to the GroupWise Messenger Client?
  Login using your Pirates Cove/email username and password. The first time you login you will need to specify the correct Server Location and Port. Enter messenger.armstrong.edu in the Server: field, and 8300 in the Port: field.
Do I need to download the GroupWise Messenger client for home use?
  Yes. The GroupWise Messenger server requires access to the client to be able to communicate with campus users on the same server. This might be useful in situations where you are working from off-campus and need to contact another campus user at another location.
How do I use GroupWise Messenger?
  Click her for GroupWise Messenger Tools.
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How do I build a contact list within GroupWise Messenger?

 

You can organize your Contact List by dragging contacts and folders to the location you want them. Or, you can use the following steps:

Click Tools , then click Organize Contacts.

Click Contact names , then click Move Up or Move Down to change the position in the list.

To add a folder, click Add Folder , then type the folder name.

To move a contact to a folder, drag the contact to the folder, or click the contact, click Actions , click Move , select the folder from the drop-down list, then click OK.

Click Close.

How do I block others from contacting me via GroupWise Messenger?
 

Before blocking others, you should first build your allow list and then either block contacts individually, or use the everyone else feature.

•  Click on Tools
•  Select Options
•  Select the Privacy option listed in above image
•  Select <Everyone Else> in your allowed window at left
•  Click the Block >> button
•  Click Apply
•  Click OK

TIP: To quickly build your allow list, click the Add button to bring up a list of your current contacts already added to your main contacts view window. Once the Privacy Add dialog box appears, select the first contact while holding down the shift key on your keyboard, then use the down arrow to select all other contacts on this list. After all contacts are selected, click the OK button to add these contacts to your separate allow list.

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What do users on my block list see in their Contacts window?
 

If you are listed in the Contacts for a user on your block list, your user icon will appear no differently than any other user, unless you initiate contact with them.

If you initiate contact with a user that you've previously placed on your block list, your status will appear as "unknown" in their contact list from that point forward, unless you remove them from your block list.

How does a broadcast message work in GroupWise Messenger?
 

You can send a broadcast message with GroupWise Messenger by clicking on Actions > Send Broadcast. You will then be prompted to choose contacts from your approved contacts list, or you can use the find user button to browse for someone not on your contacts list already.

A broadcast message is like a one-way instant message, you can send to others, but they can't respond back without opening a new, separate instant message.

Who do I contact for assistance with using GroupWise Messenger?
 

Contact the CIS Helpdesk, via email at cis.helpdesk@armstrong.edu ,

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( Northern Illinois University is the source for associated content)