Note This article refers to version 4.0 of Windows Messenger, which ships with Windows XP. You can now download the update to version 4.7 of Windows Messenger for Windows XP–it's free. If you are using version 4.7, learn how to use it here. Not sure which version of Windows Messenger you have? Here's how to find out. Note 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. To share programs or the whiteboard with your contacts 1. | If it is not already running, start the program that you want to share. (Click Start, click All Programs, and then click the program of your choice.) | 2. | Start Windows Messenger and sign in. (To start Windows Messenger, double–click the Windows Messenger icon near the clock on the taskbar, click Sign–in, and then enter your e–mail address and password.) | 3. | Choose a contact who is online, and start a conversation –– either an instant message or voice conversation. | 4. | Click Invite, and then click To Start Application Sharing, as shown in Figure 1 below. | 5. | In the instant messaging window, you will receive a notice such as this: You have invited Jim to start using Application Sharing. Please wait for a response or Cancel (Alt+Q) the pending invitation. | 6. | Your contact will receive an invitation such as this: Jon is inviting you to start using Application Sharing. Do you want to Accept (Alt+T) or Decline (Alt+D) the invitation? | 7. | After your contact clicks Accept, the Sharing Session toolbar shown in Figure 2 below will open automatically on both computers. Wait while Windows Messenger establishes the connection.  Figure 2. Data sharing connection being established... | 8. | When the connection is established, the Sharing–Programs dialog box opens as shown in Figure 3 below. This lists all of the programs running on your computer. | 9. | Click the program you want to share, and then click Share. The program will open on your computer, and in a window on your contact's computer. It will be partially hidden on your contact's computer until you turn over control. | 10. | Click Allow Control, and then select Automatically accept requests for control. (This allows your contact to control the program whenever he requests control. If you clear the check box, you will be asked to confirm permission each time your contact requests control. Your contact will be unable to use the program until you allow control. After you allow control, he can use the program as if it were on his own computer.) To gain control of the shared program, your contact clicks Control, and then clicks Request Control as shown in Figure 4 below. You can take back control at any time by pressing ESC.  Figure 4. Requesting control of the shared program. You will see the gray background until your contact grants you control of the program.
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Using the Whiteboard to Collaborate Online With Graphics You can use the whiteboard feature of Windows Messenger to collaborate online with graphic information. You can share control while drawing a house plan or wiring diagram, for example. You can cut, copy, and paste information from any Windows–based program into the whiteboard. You can prepare a whiteboard graphic before a conference, then drag and drop it into the Whiteboard during a meeting. To use the whiteboard 1. | Start a conversation, click Invite, and then click To Start Whiteboard. | 2. | If you are already sharing a program, click Whiteboard in the Sharing Session dialog box. |
Remote AssistanceRemote Assistance is a great new feature in Windows XP that allows people to assist each other remotely over the Internet. You can start Remote Assistance from within Windows Messenger and invite someone to assist you. Read about using Remote Assistance. The example companies, organizations, products, domain names, e-mail addresses, logos, people, places, and events depicted herein are fictitious. No association with any real company, organization, product, domain name, email address, logo, person, places, or events is intended or should be inferred.
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