The following changes to the Instant Message Bar at the bottom of the screen have been made:

  • The chat boxes can be “popped-out.” At the top of the chat box, Click on the pop-out icon with a square and arrow. A popup window will appear with a chat box and list of available members. Click on a member to communicate. Tabs will appear at the bottom for each chat. Click on the tabs to switch between chats. To pop the chat back into the bar, click on the pop-in button on the IM bar that will appear when you popped-out.
  • You can reduce the size of the bar by clicking on Chat, then the Change Theme icon, select No Bar and Choose.
  • The new IM Bar supports mobile devices; but I have not tested it.
  • The new IM Bar supports video chats. At the top of the chat box, click the Options icon and click Start a Video Call.
  • The initialization has been cut by over half, which should speed page load time on all pages on the site.
  • Many minor changes that should smooth the use of the bar.
  • A Messaging Help button has been added to the bar at the bottom left. For more information on messaging features, click this button.