Main Window

After the step-by-step druid is complete, Gabber's main window will appear as shown in Figure 2.

Figure 2. Gabber

Roster

Most of the real estate on the main window is taken up by the list of contacts or roster. Roster items (contacts) are grouped within separate user-definable groups. If no group is specified for a user, they will fall within the All group. Server agents are listed in the special group, Agents/Transports. If users within a group are online, Gabber will display the number of users online within parenthesis following the group name. The next section, the section called Status explains user status information.

NoteServer-Side Roster
 

Jabber clients keep a list of a user's contacts in a server-side roster or a "Buddy List" as they are often referred to. All roster information is kept on the server. This makes it easy to move between different clients and makes the pain much less after accidentally erasing the client information.

User Context Menu

By right clicking on a user in the roster, Gabber will load a user context menu to allow the user to manipulate functions directly related to the highlighted user. The following options are available:

  • Message... Sends a regular message to the user.

  • One-on-One Chat... Begins a one-on-one chat with the user.

  • Re-request Subscription Sends a subscription request to the specified user.

  • Edit User Information... Loads the Edit User dialog.

  • View History... Loads the View History dialog.

  • Delete User Removes the user from the roster.

Status

Status for Roster Items

Status information (i.e., Online, Away, Not Available) for users on the roster is can be represented by icons to the left of the user or by the text color of the user's name. A lighted bulb and light blue text, for example, means the user is online and available; a NA sign and dark green text reflects that the user is Not Available.

The latest status information about a user on the roster will be shown on the status bar. Figure 2 in the section called Main Window gives an example of an active status bar and the status of various users.

Status information about a user will not appear until a subscription has been successfully approved and processed by the other user. See the section called Subscriptions for more information about subscriptions.

Status icons and colors can be configured (or disabled completely) from the Preferences dialog. See the section called Roster for information on how to configure these items.

User Status

If the Gabber user is currently logged into Jabber, the user's online status information will be displayed in the Status button on the toolbar underneath the Roster. Figure 2 in the section called Main Window shows the user as Available.

To change the status information, simply click the drop down status box (see Figure 3) to load the User Status dialog (shown in Figure 4). Simply type a custom message in the status text box and click Update Status to send the updated status to users on the roster.

Figure 3. Status

Figure 4. User Status

The status toolbar can be disabled in the Preferences dialog.

Toolbar

The toolbar (shown in Figure 5) gives the user quick access to commonly used functions such as adding a new user, joining a group chat, and loading the manual. By hovering over each icon on the toolbar, a short description of the function of each icon will be displayed.

Figure 5. Toolbar

The toolbar can be disabled from the Preferences dialog.

Menu Bar

The menu bar located at the top of Gabber's main window, provides the following commands:

Gabber

  • Login... (Ctrl-I) If the user has not logged in yet, this menu item loads the Login dialog to allow the user to specify login information and to connect to the server.

  • Logout (Ctrl-O) If the user is already logged in, this item will allow the user to log off the server.

  • Services

    • Other IM Systems... (Ctrl-A) Loads the Agents dialog where the user can register with other instant messaging systems.

    • Join Group Chat... (Ctrl-C) Loads the Group Chat login dialog to begin a group chat (conference).

    • Headlines... Loads the Headlines dialog.

  • My User Information... Loads the User Information dialog for editing information stored in the Jabber User Directory.

  • Preferences... Loads the Preferences dialog to allow the user to customize Gabber.

  • Exit (Ctrl-Q) Exits Gabber.

Roster

  • Hide Offline Users Toggles display of users who are currently offline.

  • Hide Specific Groups... Allows customization of which groups of users to display.

  • Add User... (Ctrl-U) Loads the Locate User druid.

  • New Blank Message Creates a new blank message to an unspecified user.

Help

  • Gabber Manual Shows this manual.

  • About... Shows basic information about Gabber.