Instant Messaging

For most environments, the most commonly used feature in the Lync 2013 client is instant messaging. This function enables users to stop cluttering mailboxes with messages such as “Where do you want to go for lunch,” and enables users to limit their messages to only people who are likely to respond quickly. This is where accurate presence information really comes in handy.

Starting an IM conversation is as simple as double-clicking a contact. Doing so launches the IM window that defaults to the IM.

The IM client works 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 to type in and one 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. You can access emoticons with the usual combinations of characters.