Share an application or whiteboard
Did you know you can use Windows Messenger to share your favorite programs with your online contacts? If you're working on a Microsoft Office PowerPoint presentation and want to ask a coworker's opinion for the color scheme you've selected, you can show your coworker the presentation in Windows Messenger. And if you want to brainstorm ideas for an upcoming project meeting, you can use the Windows Messenger Whiteboard to explore your ideas online. With Windows Messenger, you can share programs and a virtual whiteboard with online contacts for collaboration and fun.
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By the way, Windows Messenger uses the terms application and program synonymously. Both of these terms refer to the software you use for such tasks as word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, or games.
Share programs with your contacts
Work collaboratively or just have fun by sharing programs with your online contacts while you're using Windows Messenger.
To share programs with your online contacts:
1. | Choose a contact that is online and start an instant message or voice conversation. |
2. | Click Start Application Sharing. |
3. | After your contact clicks Accept, the Sharing Session toolbar will open automatically on both computers. Wait while Windows Messenger makes the connection. 
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4. |
In the Sharing–Programs dialog box, click the program you want to share, and then click Share. The program will open on your computer. At the same time, it will open in a window on your contact's computer. 
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5. | Click Allow Control, and then select Automatically accept requests for control if you want to allow your contact to take control of the program. Click Do not disturb with requests for control right now if you want to maintain control of the program. If you choose the first option, your contact will be able to take control of the shared program by clicking Control and then clicking Request Control. After you allow control, your contact can use the program as though it were on his or her own computer. |
6. | You can regain control at any time by pressing the ESC key. |
Tip: The person who was invited to share the program can take control by double-clicking the shared screen. The person who sent the invitation can take back control with a single click.
Use the Whiteboard to collaborate online
The Windows Messenger Whiteboard is a great place to work collaboratively on your ideas for office diagrams, house plans, process improvements, or anything that would benefit from a quick sketch.
You can share control while drawing and cut, copy, and paste information from any Windows-based program into the Whiteboard. And it doesn't have to be done in real time. You can create a graphic for the Whiteboard before your conversation and then drop it onto the Whiteboard when the conversation starts.
To work collaboratively using the Whiteboard:
1. | Start Windows Messenger, and begin a conversation by double-clicking the name of the contact you want to work with. |
2. | Click Start Whiteboard in the right side of the Conversation window. The Whiteboard window opens on your screen. Note: If you are already sharing a program with a contact, click Whiteboard in the Sharing Session dialog box.
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3. | If you want to work with an existing file, click File, click Open, and select your file. |
4. | You and your contact can now begin drawing using the mouse in the Whiteboard window. Use the toolbox on the left side of the Whiteboard window to select different tools and shapes. |
5. | To save the image you've created in the Whiteboard, open the File menu, and click Save. Enter a file name for the file, and click Save. |
