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Extreme
Messenger -
Add style, power,
usability, and fun to AIM!
Extreme Messenger Help Contents
Introducing Extreme Messenger
A note from the author of Extreme Messenger for AIM.
Starting Extreme Messenger
The Registration Form
Explains the different parts of the Registration form.
How to Register
How Much Does it Cost?
General Options
Adjust the appearance and features of Extreme Messenger.
Nickname Options
Learn how to assign nicknames to your friends!
Banner Options
Learn how to change the banner on your buddy list®, and how to create your
own!
Logging Options
Discover the powerful logging features in Extreme Messenger
Using the Log Viewer
Explains the different parts of the log viewer.
Using the Enhanced IM Window
Explains how to use and access the features of the enhanced IM window.
News in your IM Window
Send Files to Friends Easier Using the Enhanced Chat Window
Explains how to use and access the features of the enhanced chat window.
The "Extreme Messenger" Banner
Learn about the Extreme Messenger buddy list® banner.
Creating New Banners
Learn how to create new banners for your buddy list®!
Hide/Show AIM Ads
Learn how to hide and show the ads on your buddy list®.
Checking for Updates
Learn how to check for the latest version of Extreme Messenger!
Using the Fader
Learn how to use the Chat Room and IM faders!
Turning the Fader On/Off
Selecting a Preset Fade
Creating and Editing Fades
Acknowledgments
Introducing Extreme Messenger!
Welcome to Extreme Messenger!
Congratulations on finding and installing the premiere enhancement for the
AOL Instant Messenger software. You may want to start out by browsing
the Table of Contents to find out everything that Extreme Messenger
can do for you!
In short, Extreme Messenger makes AIM easier, more powerful, and more fun!
The first thing you'll notice is the enhanced organization
of the IM and chat room windows. Every Instant Message and chat
room has its own tab and label and are compiled into one feature-rich
window, making your IMs and chat rooms more powerful and accessible.
You can
also add a little
color
to your
chat and IM conversations with the built-in automatic fader! Other features
such as automatic conversation logging and accessible options from the IM
and chat window enhance the usability and power of AIM.
Words
simply don't do justice in describing the richness of the features in Extreme
Messenger. Feel free to explore our program, and experience the fun,
easy-to-use features of Extreme Messenger! :)
I sincerely
hope that you enjoy using Extreme Messenger as much as I enjoyed bringing
it to you. :)
Warm Regards,
Joe Jordan
Ignite Software
Starting Extreme Messenger
Extreme Messenger can be started in a variety of ways. If you chose
to install the Extreme Messenger desktop icon, it should appear on your Windows
Desktop now. It says "Extreme Messenger" and looks like a yellow diamond.
Double-click on it and Extreme Messenger will load.
You can also load it by clicking Start -> Programs -> Ignite
Software -> Extreme Messenger
Extreme
Messenger Starts with Windows
By default,
Extreme Messenger is loaded with windows when you turn on your computer.
If you want to turn this feature off and load Extreme Messenger only when
you need it, you can disable the windows startup by Going to the Extreme Messenger
Options window, selecting the "General" tab (its the first one) and
unchecking the "Start with Windows" option under preferences.
The Registration Form
When you first load Extreme Messenger, you will see a colorful and attractive
introduction screen. Once the loading has completed, a registration
window will appear. Near the top you will see a box. This box
is used to register
the software. Once you have registered, you will receive an email with
a number to type into that box. This will register the program and remove
the annoying 5 second delay and nag screen at startup.
Below
the registration box, you will see a message that says how many days you have
left in your trial period. After 15 days, you will be able to start
the program, but instead of being able to continue your 15 day evaluation,
you will have the option to either Exit or purchase Extreme Messenger.
Getting
Past the Registration Screen
There are 2 ways you can get past the registration screen. The first
is to purchase a registration number that will be emailed to you (usually
within 24 hours of ordering). Input the registration number and you
will never have to see the registration screen again. The second way
is to press the "Continue Evaluation" button on the lower left-hand
side of the form. Please note that after 15 days you will not be able
to continue using the software until you purchase a registration number.
How to Register
In order
to register, startup Extreme Messenger, and when the Registration Screen appears,
click on the Order Securely Online button. You will then
be asked to select a screen name, and in continuing the order you will be
sent to a secure server where you can register Extreme Messenger Online.
Click
Here to Purchase Extreme Messenger Securely Online!!
All questions regarding our software policy, as well as many other questions,
can be answered by visiting our Software Policy page
at IgniteSoft.com.
How Much Does it Cost?
Extreme Messenger is a shareware program. You are given 15 days
to evaluate the program to determine if you like Extreme Messenger enough
to use it after your evaluation period has expired. After your 15 day
trial has ended, the program will not work until you purchase a registration
code.
Registration
is a one-time fee of $12.95!
What
benefits do you get from registering Extreme Messenger? Unlimited
usage! By purchasing, you will be able to use Extreme Messenger as long
as you have your registered screen name, free of nag screens and the 5 second
delay at startup.
Registration
will also promote further development and enhancement of the program, but
most of all, will give you the personal satisfaction of doing the right
thing! :)
In order
to register, startup Extreme Messenger, and when the Registration Screen appears,
click on the Order Securely Online button. You will then
be asked to select a screen name, and in continuing the order you will be
sent to a secure server where you can register Extreme Messenger Online.
Click
Here to Purchase Extreme Messenger Securely Online!!
General Options
Your General Options are where you can customize the appearance of
your IM and chat room window and set specific preferences on how you want
Extreme Messenger to work.
Where
are the General Options?
You can
show the General Options several different ways. The quickest way is
to click the Options button near the bottom left of the enhanced IM window.
If you do not have an IM open, you can load the options by clicking the Extreme
Messenger banner on your buddy list® and selecting Show Options.
Appearance
Align
Tabs -
This option
will align the tabs in the IM and chat room to either the left or right.
Position Tabs - This option will position the tabs in the IM
and chat room to either the top or bottom of the window.
Received IM Notification - This option allows you to change how the
tabs will look when you receive a new message while looking at another IM.
If you choose Use Yellow Arrows, the IM will show a yellow arrow when
you have a message waiting for you to view. If you choose Color Tab
Background... you can have the ENTIRE TAB change color. You
can edit this color by selecting the color chooser button.
Preferences
Tab Switches
IMs -
When checked,
pressing the tab button while in an IM will switch to the next IM automatically.
You can also hold down the shift button to go to the previous IM.
Tab Switches Chats - When checked, pressing the tab button while talking
in a chat room will automatically switch to the next chat room quickly and
easily. Hold down the shift button to reverse the process.
Hide Buddy List® Ads -
When checked, Extreme Messenger will hide the ads built in to the buddy
list®
window. This will clean up your buddy list®
look as well as give you more space for your actual buddy list®.
Use Multiple Tab Rows - When checked, when you have multiple IMs open,
the tabs will appear in several rows instead of just the top row.
Start with Windows - When checked, Extreme Messenger will start itself
up when Windows starts. You can turn this off by unchecking the option.
Start AIM on Load - When checked, Extreme Messenger will start AIM
for you when it starts (if it is not already open).
IMs Always on Top - When checked, your Enhanced IM WindowUsingtheEnhancedImWindow
will float on top of all other windows.
Chat Always on Top - When checked, your Enhanced Chat WindowUsingTheChatWindow
will float on top of all other windows.
Always ask before Exit - When checked, Extreme Messenger will ask for
confirmation before exiting. To exit Extreme Messenger immediately,
uncheck this option.
Nickname Options
Your Nickname Options allow you to assign nicknames to the screen names
that you talk to. So instead of seeing the screen name in the IM tab,
you will see instead the nickname you assigned! This makes remembering
the people you talk to much easier!
Where are
the Nickname Options?
You can quickly and easily assign Nicknames by right-clicking on the IM tab
and selecting "Edit Nickname" from the menu. If you want to edit
and delete nicknames, load the options and select the Nicknames tab.
Where do
the Nicknames appear?
When you assign a nickname to someone, it appears in the tab associated with
the IM. This makes it much easier to recognize when friends IM you!
Right-Click on the tab to assign a nickname to the IM.
Nickname
Options
You have full access and control over what nicknames are assigned to screen
names. By loading up the options and selecting the Nickname tab,
you can manually edit or create nicknames at any time - not just when
the IM is open.
Add/Edit Nickname - Type in the screen name, and the nickname you want
associated with it. Click the button and the nickname is automatically
updated.
Delete Nickname - This will delete the selected nickname from the list.
Refresh List - This refreshes the Nickname list - especially useful
if you have edited several names while the Options window is open.
Banner Options
Using the Extreme Messenger Banner options, you can change the look of your
buddy list® window! Extreme Messenger comes loaded with many different
looks for your AIM Buddy List® banner - you choose which one you like
best!
Where are
the Banner Options?
You can access the banner options in several different ways. The fastest
way is to simply Right-Click on the Extreme Messenger banner on your
buddy list® and click the "Change this Banner" button. You can
also reach it by clicking the banner and selecting "Change Banner".
Selecting
a Banner
Once you load up the banner options, choosing one is point-and-click!
You can use the scroll bar to the left to scroll through the images.
Once you see one that you like, simply click on it and the banner on your
buddy list®
will change.
Creating
your Own Banner
It is possible to create your own banners and use them as your buddy list®
banner in Extreme Messenger. Simply create an image that is 25 x
138 pixels in size. Make sure that you create or convert the image
to BMP, JPG, or GIF format. Once complete, copy the image to the
Program Files\Extreme Messenger\Banners directory. Start up Extreme
Messenger and load the banner options. Your image will then be loaded
along with any others that are in the Banners directory.
Would
you like to share your custom banner with the world? E-mail your custom
banner to IgniteSoftware@aol.com and your creation may just make it into the
next release of Extreme Messenger! :)
Logging Options
Extreme Messenger comes with powerful conversation logging options.
By default, Extreme Messenger logs both your chat room and IM conversations.
The logging takes place when you close the IM/chat window and the process
is completely transparent! You won't even know it happened until
you check out your log files.
Disable
Logging
You can easily disable IM and chat logging from the respective windows.
Click the Options menu (next to File, Edit, Insert, People) and either
check or uncheck the Log your IMs or Log your Chat option. A check means
it will automatically log. You can also turn this feature off by loading
the options and clicking the Logging tab. From there you will see the
check box to enable/disable IM logging. Click the Chat Logs tab
to enable/disable chat room logging.
HTML Logging
Extreme Messenger gives you the ability to record either the plain text or
with all of the original colors and fonts that appear in your conversations.
By default, Extreme Messenger logs the HTML in your IM conversations, and
just the text for your chat room conversations, but you can turn these on
or off at any time. Simply check or uncheck the Log IMs as HTML
or Log Chat as HTML to enable and disable this feature.
View your
Logs
Viewing your log files is point-and-click! Simply select the folder
you want to view the contents of, and then double-click or click the View
Log button to view the recorded conversation. The log file is
then displayed using the Extreme Messenger log viewer.
Deleting
your IM Logs
You can delete log files in one of two ways. You can delete each file
individually by opening a screen name or chat room folder, selecting the file
you want to delete and clicking the "Delete Log" button below.
To delete an entire folder and the logs inside it, highlight the folder and
click the "Delete Selected Folder" button.
Using the Log Viewer
The Extreme Messenger Log Viewer is a fairly simple window that allows
you to view, print, and resave your IM and chat room conversations.
Re-saving
your logs is an easy two-step process - Click Save As... from the File
menu, and find a place to save it.
Printing
your Logs
If you
want to print your logs, make sure a few things are in place before
you do so: First, make sure your printer is turned on and paper is loaded.
Second, note that you must have a color printer for the HTML colored logs
to appear in color. Easy enough. :)
The Log
viewer also has a feature called "Always On Top". This feature
when enabled will allow the log viewer to float above all other windows.
Using the Enhanced IM Window
Extreme Messenger enhances your AIM Instant Messages by adding new,
powerful features not included in your standard AIM software. One of
the first things you'll notice when you send or receive an IM is the enhanced
window that your IM is in. When using the enhanced IM window, each IM
has its own tab with the screen name or nickname (if assigned)
as the text.
Also, when you receive a new IM and the tab is not selected, the arrow will
turn yellow (or the tab will change color.. you can choose which in the General
Options). Want to switch over to another IM? Click the IM tab
with your mouse or press the tab button on your keyboard!
The IM
Options Menu
IM Color Fader On/Off - This menu option allows you to turn the IM
fader option on and off. When its on, the text you type in the chat
room will automatically be faded using whatever color blend you have selected.
You can choose from a pre-made list of color blends or create your own.
For more information on using the fader and creating your own fades, click
here: Using the FaderUsingTheFader
Away Message - From here, you have quick access to your away
messages. No more searching for your buddy list®
to turn a message on when you step away - now you can do it all from one
window!
Show Options - This will load the Extreme Messenger main options window.
For more help with the options, click here: General OptionsGeneralOptions
View your IM Logs - This option will automatically show your IM logs
and files. For more help with logs, click here: Logging OptionsLoggingOptions
Log your IMs - When checked, your chat room conversations will automatically
be recorded.
Send Buddy Chat - Sends a chat room invitation to all of the people
you are currently talking to.
Always On Top - When checked, the Enhanced Chat window will float on
top of all your other windows.
New IM: - Want to send someone an IM? Simply type their screen
name here or select it from the drop down list and press enter. A new
IM will automatically be opened and addressed to the person you typed!
About... - Shows your Extreme Messenger version info. and if you are
a registeredHowToRegister user or
not.
Messenger Help - Shows this Help file. :)
Features
Bar
The Features Bar is located near the bottom of the window. From here
you can load the Options window, turn on/off the IM fader, and tell your friends
about Extreme Messenger.
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