The intercom

eRooms have an intercom for holding text conversations with other members currently working in the eRoom. Open the intercom when you need a quick answer, or you want to consult with someone before continuing your work. You can join a conversation with people already present in the eRoom, and you can alert other members to join you for a real-time chat.

As long as you have the intercom open, the conversation remains in the scrolling box so you can participate while moving around the eRoom. 

As the conversation grows, text in the intercom automatically scrolls upward. Click "pause" to temporarily halt scrolling so you can review comments. Click "continue" to resume scrolling.

To open the intercom:

Or, click a 'members present' icon ().

The intercom opens in a window divided into three panes. The top pane shows the names of members currently working in the eRoom, and it updates as members come and go. You can adjust the size of the top pane by pointing to the bottom 'sash' (dividing line) until the pointer changes to a vertical, double-headed arrow, and then dragging the sash up or down. The middle pane shows the text conversation, and the bottom pane provides a text box for your comments.

To join a conversation in the intercom:

  1. Open the intercom.

  2. In the bottom pane of the intercom, type your comments in the text box and press the "Enter" key to send it.

    Your remarks appear in the intercom along with those of others in the conversation.

Note: From the intercom, you can send email directly to a member by clicking their name in the list of members present.