IM Features

For most environments, the most commonly used feature in the Microsoft Lync:Mac client is Instant Messaging. This function enables users to stop cluttering mailboxes with “where do you want to go for lunch?” types of messages and enables users to limit their messages to only people who are likely to respond quickly. This also is where accurate presence information comes in handy.

Starting an IM conversation is as simple as double-clicking a contact. Doing so launches the IM window, which defaults to the IM tab, as shown in Figure 23.6.

Figure 23.6. IM conversation.

The Lync:Mac IM client works much like any other IM client. You can see the status information for the person with whom you are communicating, and there are two areas in the window: one in which to type and one in which to display the conversation. Users have access to the usual features such as altering the font, color, and size of the text, as well as a menu of emoticons.