How can I use Messages without a buddy list

If you are using iMessages, then just do command-N to create a new message, and type in your wife's Apple ID.

Video chat is a separate app. FaceTime is what you are looking for. For devices that don't have a phone number associated with them, the connection is email/AppleID based.

Actually, in the top right hand corner in Messages there is a video camera icon where when you click it, it gives you options for Facetime calling. I haven't tried it yet, but it looks like it will take you to the FaceTime Mac app.

If you open FaceTime directly, you'll see your contacts list, and those that have an AppleID/Email address associated with it are notated with the camera icon when you open their contact page.

HI,

Messages is the App.

It can do iMessages to iPads, iPhones and Messages on Macs sending the said iMessages to either a iPhone Number or an Apple ID

Ideally the same Apple ID is set up across your devices and the Messages app.

You can also use the AIM service and/or jabber by adding the Screen Name (AIM or AIM valid names) or a Jabber ID to the Accounts list (GoogleTalk run a Jabber server).

@mac.com and @me.com names from Apple are also Valid AIM Screen Names and will work providing the password is 16 characters or Less.

AIM and Jabber Accounts will be able to display Buddy Lists (See Window Menu)

By Default they are displayed as one (See General Section of Preferences to Unlink)

Buddy List work the same way iChat ones did and you can Video there with the same iChat Theatre and Screen Sharing functions (And Multiway Audio and Video chats).

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10:55 PM Wednesday; September 5, 2012

Please, if posting Logs, do not post any Log info after the line "Binary Images for iChat"

 iMac 2.5Ghz 5i 2011 (Lion 10.7.2)
 G4/1GhzDual MDD (Leopard 10.5.8)
 MacBookPro 2Gb (Snow Leopard 10.6.8)
 Mac OS X (10.6.8),
"Limit the Logs to the Bits above Binary Images."  No, Seriously

Yeah, once I clicked on the video camera symbol it opened up FateTime and tried calling the person. There is no native Messages video chat.

If, when you open Messages, you don't see a buddy list, just press the command key along with the #1 key.

HI,

In the Message Menu > Preferences > Accounts I have several non iMessages Accounts (As well as the iMessages Account) listed

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The two red indicated items show an @me.com (actually my iCloud ID) and an older @mac.com name Logged in to AIM (They are both Enabled)

The Blue bit indicates the + button where to Add Accounts (non iMessages ones)

In the General Section of the Preferences the Linked Buddy List (~Bee's CMD + 1 instruction) can be Unlinked

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That will then change the Window Menu and the CMD + # items

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This in turn can take up a lot of Screen Space

AS you can see the Buddy Lists show some people with the Green Video icon

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This will start Video with that person "Natively" in the iChat style with the Messages app and without leaving it.

In My previous Post I said it this way

AIM and Jabber Accounts will be able to display Buddy Lists (See Window Menu)

By Default they are displayed as one (See General Section of Preferences to Unlink)

Buddy List work the same way iChat ones did and you can Video there with the same iChat Theatre and Screen Sharing functions (And Multiway Audio and Video chats).

I hope this clears things up for you.

8:01 PM Thursday; September 6, 2012

Please, if posting Logs, do not post any Log info after the line "Binary Images for iChat"

 iMac 2.5Ghz 5i 2011 (Lion 10.7.2)
 G4/1GhzDual MDD (Leopard 10.5.8)
 MacBookPro 2Gb (Snow Leopard 10.6.8)
 Mac OS X (10.6.8),
"Limit the Logs to the Bits above Binary Images."  No, Seriously