HomegrownHawaii.com Instant Messenger

Instant Messaging Defined
Abbreviated IM, a type of communications service that enables you to create a kind of private chat room with another individual in order to communicate in real time over the Internet, analogous to a telephone conversation but using text-based, not voice-based, communication. Typically, the instant messaging system alerts you when somebody is trying to contact you online. You can then initiate a chat session with that particular individual.

Note: You will need the Flash Player to use the messenger download it here. 

Note: The Homegrown Hawaii Instant Messenger uses pop-ups to allow members to chat with each other live.  To learn more about pop-up blockers and how to disable them click here.

Click here to test your system to see if it's ready for the messenger.  Test Here

How to chat with someone with Instant Messenger.
Throughout the site you will see the following icon blinking for users who are online: Online Now! Click on the icon to start chatting with that user. 

Tip: For a list of users who are currently online click on the People Currently Online link on the Home page.

After you click on the icon you will see the following window appear:

Once the window is open you can start typing your message into the lower text box. The users should receive your message within a few seconds. The Instant Messenger is pretty straight forward.  Below you will find a brief description of the messenger features.

If you click on this icon you will be able to change the color and font of the messenger text, the volume of the new message alert.

You can insert smiling faces etc... by clicking on this icon.

With Instant Messenger you can send files to the person you are chatting with.  This is great for sharing pictures or music files.  Click on the icon, pick the file you want to send the click on OK.