Here's a list of iChat Frequently Asked Questions I've collected. If you've got a few that I've missed. Contact me and I'll add them.


What if there were a page where you could direct someone to who has a few basic questions about Apple Computer's iChat AV? Now there is. I've also included a few about the Apple iSight as it relates to iChat AV. Use this URL when sharing iChat FAQ:

http://homepage.mac.com/cherrypop/

With your help I can make it better, so be in touch with suggestions.

New: Like the new iChat FAQ logo? Thanks to Curt McAloney, we've got a brand new look. If you like his work, check out http://www.curtsmedia.com

Apple Computer iChat FAQ:

Q- Do I have to have a paid .Mac account to use iChat?

A- No. You can sign up for either a free iChat or AOL IM account. The first time you launch iChat, you'll be presented with a window asking for your .Mac information. If you don't have an account, click the "Get an iChat Account" button. Your browser will launch and take you to Apple's "Get Your Free iChat Account Now" page. You'll have the option of signing up for .Mac or the free iChat account.

Q- What's the difference between a .Mac account/ID and an AIM account/ID?

A- I found a great explanation as to the differences here .

Q- Where's Apple's iChat support page?

A- 1) Click here for Apple's iChat Support page. And here for Apple's iChat: Getting Started.

2) Also, don't forget about Apple's built-in Help Viewer. You can reach iChat help by following this path:

iChat > Help

3) Click here for search results from Apple's Knowledge Base:
(link: http://search.info.apple.com/?search=Go&lr=lang_en&kword=&q=ichat )

Q- Are there other chatrooms like Panther?

A- Yes! This question has a three-part answer:

1) Dotmac.info also has a list of registered iChat users and chat rooms (link: http://dotmac.info/chat).

2) Click Apple+G (iChat > File > Go to Chat) and enter just about any word you want. Most of the time you'll wind up in an empty room, but you never know. During 2003 NLB playoffs, the room "cubbies" was popular for a few weeks. You never know, so why not give it a try.

Q- Do AOL AIM chat rooms work?

A- Some of the rooms work, some don't. Here's AOL's official list of AIM chat rooms. Give them a whirl:

http://www.aim.com/chats.adp?aolp=

Q- I'm in a chat room, but I can't tell who's talking. What's up with that?

A- iChat's default setup is to blame for this, but it has a quick fix:

iChat > View > Show names and Pictures

Q- Why does everyone have a blue globe next to their name, or the AOL AIM running man?



A- That's because either they haven't added a custom icon (see below) or they aren't in your buddy list. In order to see someone's custom icon you need to add them to your buddy list. You can do this five different ways:

1) Locate the person you want to add to your buddy list in the Participants drawer and click and drag him/her into your buddy list. If the buddy list isn't visible, click Apple+1 on your keyboard. That person will appear in your buddy list every time you launch iChat, even if you're on another computer configured with your iChat account



2) Click the person's name in the Participant drawer (while within a chat room). Then go, iChat > Buddies > Add Buddy <name>. That person will appear in your buddy list (Apple +1) every time you launch iChat, even if you're on another computer configured with your iChat account.

3) You can also add someone to your buddy list with a convenient keystroke. Click the person in the Participants drawer and click Shift+Apple+A on your keyboard.

4) Open your buddy list. Then locate the "+" button at the lower-left portion of the window. Click on it once and a sheet will drop down. Click the button "New Person and a second sheet will drop where you can add either a .Mac member's information or (via the drop-down menu item) you can add an AOL member.




5) If you use Address Book application which is included with OS X, you can create a card with a person's name, physical address, phone number, etc. You can also include their Instant Messenger information. Although you can add IM accounts for various services, only AOL and iChat accounts will bee "seen" by your iChat buddy list the next time you launch iChat.

Q- How do I create a custom icon for my iChat account.

A- Easy. Just open your buddy list window (Apple+1) and drag any image file to the "well" in the upper-right corner of the window.



You'll know you've hovered over the correct location when the cursor turns into a green circle with a "+" sign in the center. Once you've got image over the well, let go of it. A new window will appear where you can adjust the size of the image. Note that you can adjust the position of image that will appear as your icon by clicking and dragging the image around.

Tip: You can retreieve older iChat images by clicking once on the image in the well. A popup window will appear with your archived images:



If you've got an iSight (or Apple approved FW camera) you can take a snapshot to use as your icon. Handy.

You can also export a photo from iPhoto and use it as your iChat icon. Export the photo to your desktop, then drag it to the image well in your buddy list.

Q- Where are my iChat icons stored?

A- Home > Library > Images > iChat Recent Pictures

Q- How do I have an audio or video chat with someone?

A- First, make sure you've got a microphone or approved FW camera connected to your Mac. Then make sure the person you want to talk to is in your buddy list. Then click either of the green icons next to their name.

You'll see a phone icon, a camera icon, or no icon. The phone icon will only appear if the person has a microphone connected to the computer, and the camera icon only if the person has a FW camera connected to the computer.



When you click on either of the icons, you'll send an invitation to the other person. They'll have to accept the invitation in order for the connection to be established.

Q- What do I need to use an iSight?

A- Check out Apple's iChat and iSight page Both are replete with specs, requirements, and application.

Q- I have an iSight. Do I have to find someone else with a camera in order to use it?

A- No. If you have an iSight you can create a one-way chat by control-clicking someone's account in your buddy list and selecting "Invite to One-Way Video Chat." You can also do this through the iChat menu: iChat > Buddies > Invite to One-Way Video Chat. You'll notice that you can initiate a one-way audio chat too.



Q- If I want to video chat with someone, do I have to have an iSight?

A- No. You will need an iChat-compatible Firewire Video Camera, however. Although the iSight is a quick and easy way to start video chatting, you can use "any DV video camera" according to Apple.

You'll know when your camera is connected and recognized by iChat when you see a green camera icon next to your iChat icon in your buddy list (Apple+1).



You can see what your iSight, or FW camera, is monitoring by clicking this green camera icon. A window will popup and show you what others will see in a video chat.

If you haven't upgraded your iSight's firmware, grab the 1.0.2 update.

Q- How do I chat with more than one person at a time?

A- There are a couple of ways to accomplish this:

1) You can visit one of the established iChat rooms, as described at the outset of this FAQ. Say, for example, you're in Panther. If you want to invite someone from your buddy list into the Panther room to chat, open the Participants drawer (iChat > View > Show Chat Participants). You'll see a "+" sign in the lower-left corner of this drawer. Click it and the people in your buddy list who's status is "available" will appear in a popup list. Select your buddy and enter an invitation. The invited buddy can either accept or deny your invitation.




2) If you want to chat with more than one person from your buddy list in a "private" room, it's actually possible to do. First, create a room; you can use just about any name you wish. Say you want to chat with some family members who are online and have an "available" status. No problem. On your keyboard, click +G and enter a room name. In this example we'll use "thejonesfamily" as our room name. Once the room opens (in a new window) it should be empty. Now follow the steps described above to invite one or more people from your buddy list.



Q- Can I use my Bluetooth headset with iChat?

A- You can, but as far as I've been able to test and research, you must have a Mac with built-in Bluetooth (and it must have the latest firmware).

Check out this Apple Discussion post for detailed information on how to pair your BT headset.

Q- What does +L really do?

A- While in iChat, it logs you in or out depending upon your status.

Q- How can I create that Apple () symbol?

A- Click Shift+Option+K:



Q- Is there a stand-alone iChat AV installer?

A- Click here to check out the latest version of iChat AV.

Q- What is Airtunes?

A- Airtunes comes with Apple's Airport Express as a feature. It will send your iTunes music library to a stereo hooked up to your Express. More here.

Q- Is it true that some celebrities use iChat?

A- Yes. Bono, Mick, and a lot of others use iChat (at least they have done so in the recent past). For fun, I actually tried to glean Bono's iChat address from a screen shot of the Macworld keynote address where he and Steve Jobs held a video chat. Unfortunately (or, fortunately if you're Bono), I couldn't make out the address. Bono, if you're out there, IM me anytime ;-)

More coming soon. Send me your suggestions Apple lovers.



Don't forget How to Buy a Mac.

</htmlcode>