reinstall ichat after mountain lion

OP wrote:

From the videos I have seen online, when a user launches iMessage and then wants to video chat, the app opens Facetime to do so. Is this not how the final version works?

Glenn Replied: No, that is not how the final version works.

But that is exactly how iMessages works. The OP's explanation was dead on correct in how it works. And Glenn (not trying to bash you but people seem to need me to clarify what I meant to say) said that what the OP stated was not true, when, again, it was!😝

Further clarification should be given in this case, that iMessages does not use any of the features that iChat can with a buddy list, video chat, audio chat, so on. All iMessages does is text and share files. The OP will need something other then iMessages to do most of the things one can do in Messages (iChat). An account like AIM, which I assume they use now with iChat.

The way this exchange reads is that Glenn seems to not think what the OP said was factual, when in fact, it is. I'm not trying to get in a big fight about this, I was general but too specific and wordy with why I was adding my two cents, everyone here is helping greatly. I will back away slowly. This is NBD.

The OP is satisfied with the answers. That's what's important.

If you take a look at his screen shots of Messages, you will not see a Video camera.

When I first open up Messages, I also have no video camera in Messages window.

I do however also have my Buddies list, which was part of iChat and now part of Messages, open up just like it used to with iChat, right alongside of Messages and under the heading of Messages in the menu bar.

His original question was:

I would like to know if anyone has been able to reinstall iChat after upgrading to mountain lion? There are lots of features in iChat that iMessage just doesn't have and I would like to keep using them.

So, you don't have to reinstall iChat as it is already a part of Messages.

Messages and iChat are now grouped together under "Messages". They run simultaneously together.

So, Messages actually does give you all the same things iChat has plus the new Message feature.

When I first open up Messages, I also have no video camera in Messages window.

That is because you did not start a conversation.

The best way to know what client you are on at the time is by looking at the text box before you type in anything to a recipient. You have nothing in your text box, so you are not using any of the clients (aim or iMessages)

it should say AIM with your AIM name, iMessages, Gtalk, so on in the text box. if you look at your screen shot, you have nothing in your text box.

if you look in your text box after you double click a friend in the buddy list or you write their name in the To: field you'll see the account you are using and the Video Chat/Facetime button, depending on the client you are using, will appear.

No need to do that with the Buddy List already open. You can see who is online immediately.

No need to post a photo of the Buddy list as everyone knows what that looks like if they have used iChat in the past.

If you look in the lower left of my screen shot above, you will see AIM has a green button stating I am online or available. The Buddy list would be right next to it for me. (others may move it where they want)

Yes, in the Messages window, if you want to text someone, you have to contact them first, then a video camera will show up in the Messages window if you want to use FaceTime. Otherwise, if you want all the features of iChat, just use the Buddy list window as we have always done since iChat was released. No changes for that part that I can see.

I would probably prefer for iChat to be a part of FaceTime as long as it had the iChat features.

Then I could do away with that AIM account and just use my Apple ID and password.

I think I see what you're saying but your screen shot cuts off the area I was talking about.

With Messages, there can be multiple accounts, as you know. with the new Messages, you don't really need a buddy list if you know who you are trying to talk to. You should consider Apple trying to think outside the box by introducing this new chat box, and also getting rid of the need of a buddy list.

Everything one can do with a buddy list, one can do with the "Messages Message Window" (sic)

Since your screen shot explicitly left out the part I was talking about, I'll post it here.

here you see I'm logged into FOUR different accounts (Aim, Facebook, Gtalk, and and AIM) but since I can have a conversation with someone who also has multiple accounts, the text field box indicated from which specific account I am on at the time. if you do not begin a conversation with someone, this area will be blank too, just like the video chat button. If this text box says iMessages, the Vid Chat button

takes on a different form (facetime) then if the text box says AIM, GTalk, (etc.) where pressing it would give you the option to screen share, Video Chat (with photobooth effects), and audio chat.

What I mean to point out is, you shouldn't get too attached to the buddy list, and you should think of Contacts. app as your new buddy list, and the To field

As the way to access your buddies in Messages.

ever since messages beta came out I've been actively adding my friend's information to their contacts card for Facebook, gmail and Aim, and even twitter. I have never had a more up to date Address Book(Contacts) in my life! This is, what I think apple's ultimate goal is. To make you use your contacts.app and not a buddy list. A place where you can house all the information and take it with you (not just leave it on your computer). Some people may already have their's setup like this without needing to (you need to now, with the new OSX to see how it is all supposed to work in unison).

So if I have a friend whom has Gtalk and Facebook, and I add their information into one contact card along with their email and phone number. Any conversation I have with them through Messages will remain in one chat window and not dispersed between multiple sessions. At any moment a conversation can switch from being on facebook, gtalk, imessages (etc) by the recipient switching it or you switching it by clicking your contact's name in the To field and choosing their other accounts that you have tied to their contact card in Contacts or by sending a message to your friend from that account. The Text Box and a line break in the conversation will indicate the switch. No more having to sift through four windows of conversations with one person. it's all in one continues chat.

Try not using/relying on your buddy list. One day it may be gone.

This has been a PSA from your friendly fellow user.

I didn't leave the AIM at the bottom left of the screen out of my screenshot.

Take another look. It is there. (post near the top of this page)

I agree about the Contacts.

I have always had an extensive Address Book which is now called Contacts.

Phone numbers, mobile phone numbers, fax numbers, home and work emails, AIM, etc..

My iChat buddies have always been in my Address Book/Contacts and has always been tied to iChat.

One problem I see is that many people don't have FaceTime if they have something else besides a Mac.

So, they can't video chat with us using FaceTime at this time.

If you look in the original posters screenshots, you won't see the video cam probably because they are not using a Mac.

Some Windows users can use AIM if they have a cam and an AIM account and we use iChat.

Limitations and variations with lots of things these days.

I'm done and the origianl poster is done.

Now he know he can still use his 3 way video chat and 10 way audio chat should he desire.

Address Book/Contacts and has always been tied to iChat.

Ok, but it hasn't been completely necessary to do that until now.

One problem I see is that many people don't have FaceTime if they have something else besides a Mac.

if they don't have a mac, they are not imessaging you so there will never be a time where you would be facetiming anyone that doesn't have a mac or apple product because you need that to use iMessages.

If you look in the original posters screenshots, you won't see the video cam probably because they are not using a Mac.

The OP's screen shot is showing you what they are talking about/want from iChat! That is a stock screenshot of iChat most likely from google image search. The OP's OP states they they are on an iMac.

There is no Windoze version of iChat or Messages.

I too am concerned for the OP and took the time to read their post and feel like everything I have said shows where the features of iChat are, and the differentiation between Messages and iChat as well as the similarities.