Instant Message from Email

Now, we'll turn the tables a bit from our last topic. Recently we showed how you can send an email from your Instant Messenger contact list.

This time, I'll show you how to send an Instant Message from an Email. This will only work with WSD contacts, using Groupwise Email Client, and Groupwise Instant Messenger.

The purpose of this? Let's say you get an email with a funny video - and it's somehow work related ;) - If you felt like responding, you would normally just reply to the email.

BUT, if you need to respond quickly, and you're afraid they may not open the email in time, you can check if they are online right that moment. If they are, shoot them an IM.

Here's how you can see if they are online, without opening your Messenger window.

Here is an email I received from Brandon, and when I open his email, his little Messenger icon will be next to his name. At this time, he happens to be online, and available. I can tell because the "person" is red, not yellow, nor grey.



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Here is an email from somebody who is online, but is "Idle", or has stepped away from their computer for at least a few minutes.



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And here is an email from somebody who is currently offline:



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So, if somebody just barely sent an email, there's a good chance they are still online. If they sent it yesterday and you are finally open it, it's anybody's guess. But instead of checking your Instant Messenger list to see if they are online for a quick conversation, this will show you when you open their email.

So what's next? You can see they are online, because the icon is either red or yellow. Now, just simply CLICK on the icon. It opens up a messenger window!



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It only takes a single click, and the instant messenger box is up.



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Let's say there is something wrong with the email they just sent. Maybe the attachment was missing, maybe they should have included other people in the email, or maybe you just want them to STOP SENDING YOU EMAILS!!!! (like me?) You can just send them a quick note.

To be blunt, some people just don't open their emails. Even if they're sending them to you, they may never open ones they get from others. So to make sure they get your message, you can send them an IM regarding that email, or for any subject.

If they are online, the Message Box will pop up on their screen. It will be very hard to miss. So there's a good chance they will see it before they shut down their computer. With email, the chances can be slim that they will see your message that same day if they only read it periodically.

One more benefit to this is, you don't have to add them to your contact list to shoot an IM to them. It can be a random WSD staff member that sends an email to you, and you can quickly respond back to ask exactly what they meant about something.

Thanks, and enjoy. ^_^