WokaWokaRichard
Level 1 (8 points)
Mac OS X

Q: Initiating a GChat conversation through Messages

I have numerous google accounts synced to my Mac. I have just recently decided to start using the mac applications that come standard in order to keep the computer cleaner and have less clutter on the home screen and fewer browser windows open (recently even switched from using Chrome to using Safari, which was BIG for me).

 

Anyway, my question is simple: how do I properly initiate a conversation in gchat via the messages app? I have it turned on and connected and the app even found the person in my contacts that I was messaging, however when I asked if they received it, they had not. I'm sure something is wrong and it might be a simple fix, but I'm just curious as I'm new to using a lot of the apps in this way. Should I just download a GChat application or what?


I have OS X Yosemite 10.10.5 (upgrading to El Capitan soon, just can't do it in the middle of the work week). And Messages version 8.0 if it matters at all.


Thanks!

MacBook Pro with Retina display, OS X Yosemite (10.10.5)

Posted on Mar 24, 2016 10:03 AM

by Ralph Johns (UK),Solvedanswer
Ralph Johns (UK) Ralph Johns (UK)
Level 9 (73,203 points)
Applications
A:

Hi,

 

Two ways to set up.

1) Enable your Google account in System Preferences > Internet Accounts for Messages

2) In Messages > Preferences > Accounts choose Add (+ icon at bottom of list) and choose Google

 

Typically Google IDs are Google Mail IDs ending either @gmail.com or @googlemail.com

The correct one must be used (it seems Mail with let you use either but the Google Jabber server is more precise).

If you are unsure login in to Google in a web browser and it will tell you across the top right hand side.

 

Go to the General Section of the Messages Preferences and untick the item about gathering all Buddy List (accounts) into one list.

Now go to the Window Menu and display the Google Buddy list.

This should list your Buddies  (use the View Menu to Show Off Line Buddies if you are not sure)

 

Off line Buddies can be IDs added to the wrong Buddy List (Apple issued IDs and Yahoo or AIM email types follow the same format and will be accepted but will always be "offline" as they don't exist) (Apple Issued ID such a @me.com or @icloud.com ones can be used as valid AIM Screen Names).

 

In the Buddy List you can double click the line the Buddy is on to start a new chat (or highlight then use the icons at the bottom of the list or the Buddies Menu)

 

A Buddy that has a red square indicator next to their Name is set at their end to be Away.

However in some cases they can go off line and their Status will not change  but they may not be accepting Off Line Messages (that pop up when the app starts again)

 

Which of these ideas might apply ?

 

 

3Sigcopy2.png

9:29 pm      Thursday; March 24, 2016

 

​  iMac 2.5Ghz i5 2011 (El Capitan)
 G4/1GhzDual MDD (Leopard 10.5.8)
 MacBookPro 2Gb (Snow Leopard 10.6.8)
 Mac OS X (10.6.8),
 Couple of iPhones and an iPad

Posted on Mar 25, 2016 10:38 AM

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WokaWokaRichard

Q: Initiating a GChat conversation through Messages

  • All replies
  • Helpful answers

  • by Ralph Johns (UK),Solvedanswer

    Ralph Johns (UK) Ralph Johns (UK) Mar 25, 2016 10:38 AM in response to WokaWokaRichard
    Level 9 (73,203 points)
    Applications
    Mar 25, 2016 10:38 AM in response to WokaWokaRichard

    Hi,

     

    Two ways to set up.

    1) Enable your Google account in System Preferences > Internet Accounts for Messages

    2) In Messages > Preferences > Accounts choose Add (+ icon at bottom of list) and choose Google

     

    Typically Google IDs are Google Mail IDs ending either @gmail.com or @googlemail.com

    The correct one must be used (it seems Mail with let you use either but the Google Jabber server is more precise).

    If you are unsure login in to Google in a web browser and it will tell you across the top right hand side.

     

    Go to the General Section of the Messages Preferences and untick the item about gathering all Buddy List (accounts) into one list.

    Now go to the Window Menu and display the Google Buddy list.

    This should list your Buddies  (use the View Menu to Show Off Line Buddies if you are not sure)

     

    Off line Buddies can be IDs added to the wrong Buddy List (Apple issued IDs and Yahoo or AIM email types follow the same format and will be accepted but will always be "offline" as they don't exist) (Apple Issued ID such a @me.com or @icloud.com ones can be used as valid AIM Screen Names).

     

    In the Buddy List you can double click the line the Buddy is on to start a new chat (or highlight then use the icons at the bottom of the list or the Buddies Menu)

     

    A Buddy that has a red square indicator next to their Name is set at their end to be Away.

    However in some cases they can go off line and their Status will not change  but they may not be accepting Off Line Messages (that pop up when the app starts again)

     

    Which of these ideas might apply ?

     

     

    3Sigcopy2.png

    9:29 pm      Thursday; March 24, 2016

     

    ​  iMac 2.5Ghz i5 2011 (El Capitan)
     G4/1GhzDual MDD (Leopard 10.5.8)
     MacBookPro 2Gb (Snow Leopard 10.6.8)
     Mac OS X (10.6.8),
     Couple of iPhones and an iPad

  • by WokaWokaRichard,

    WokaWokaRichard WokaWokaRichard Mar 25, 2016 10:36 AM in response to Ralph Johns (UK)
    Level 1 (8 points)
    Mac OS X
    Mar 25, 2016 10:36 AM in response to Ralph Johns (UK)

    I got it with this! Thanks so much!

  • by Ralph Johns (UK),

    Ralph Johns (UK) Ralph Johns (UK) Mar 27, 2016 11:23 AM in response to WokaWokaRichard
    Level 9 (73,203 points)
    Applications
    Mar 27, 2016 11:23 AM in response to WokaWokaRichard

    4thanx.gif    for the    2correct.png  Points.

     

     

    3Sigcopy2.png

    7:23 pm      Sunday; March 27, 2016

     

    ​  iMac 2.5Ghz i5 2011 (El Capitan)
     G4/1GhzDual MDD (Leopard 10.5.8)
     MacBookPro 2Gb (Snow Leopard 10.6.8)
     Mac OS X (10.6.8),
     Couple of iPhones and an iPad