How to Send IMs in Gmail

Just as Google Talk users are able to send IMs and launch multimedia audio chats, Gmail users can now use their inbox to participate in web-based IMs and webcam chats.

Sending IMs with Gmail. First, log into your Gmail account and locate the chat menu with the green dot, underneath the "Contacts" link on the left-hand side. Press the cross (+) symbol to continue.

Next, select a Gmail contact to chat with from your available contacts. Double-click on their name to continue.

What's with the Green Dot? Gmail contacts with a green button next to their name indicate they are online now on Gmail or Google Talk and available to talk.

An IM window will appear in the lower, right-hand corner of Gmail addressed to the Gmail contact you chose to chat with.

Enter your first message in the text field provided and hit enter on your keyboard to send your message.

Want to prevent a Gmail chat from making it into your Gmail archives? Going off-the-record will turn off IM archiving so you can chat without having to worry about deleting an IM record later.

How to Go Off the Record on Gmail. Select "Off the Record" from the Options menu on the lower, left-hand corner of the Gmail chat window.

Sometimes, blocking a Gmail contact from sending you Gmail IM and webcam chats will be necessary, especially if you become a victim of cyberbullying or Internet harassment.

Blocking a Gmail Contact. To block a Gmail contact from sending an IM or webcam chat to you, select "Block" under the Options menu in the lower, left-hand corner of the Gmail chat window.

Want to start a chat with more than one Gmail contact at once?

Select "Group Chat" from the Options menu in the lower, left-hand corner of the Gmail chat to invite more people to join your conversation.

Next, enter the names of the Gmail contacts you would like to join your Gmail group chat and press "Invite."

Your Gmail contacts will receive an invitation to join the Gmail chat already in progress.

Want to pop your chat out of the Gmail inbox and into its own web browser?

Select "Pop Out" from the Options menu in the lower, left-hand corner to pop out your Gmail chat into its own window.

Want to try something different? Ditch the text-based Gmail chat and add the Gmail Webcam and Audio Chat plugin today.

Select "Add Voice/Video Chat" from the Options menu in the lower, left-hand corner to download and install the Gmail Webcam and Audio Chat plugin.

Want to make your Gmail chats a little more animated?

Check out the free library of exciting Gmail emoticons while chatting by selecting the emoticon icon in the bottom, right-hand corner of your Gmail IM.