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The Chat module contains a presence indicator (that is, a real-time indication of whether a member is online) that works in the:
- Chat window
- Hover-over
Presence indication in the chat window
When you view your friends in the Chat list, you can tell whether they're online by checking the circle next to their name. Note: If you do not have the member as a friend but are only following them, you will not see them in your online friends list. However, any user you search for will also show a presence indicator in the result. Regarding presence, a green circle means the user is online. A grey circle means the user is offline.
The presence functionality is made possible by the Chat plugin and is in the User - Chat widget.
Presence indication in the user hover
When you hover over a friend's username or avatar anywhere in the community (such as in the Activity Stream, viewing a content author, or viewing a comment author, etc.), you'll see a hover window that
- Shows online presence.
- Gives you way(s) to communicate with them.
- Links to their recent activity.
- Displays their badges.
Online friend has green online presence indicator and can be engaged in chat
Offline friend has grey offline presence indicator and can be sent a private message
Presence indication in the user profile
In the profile > friends list, the Connect link shows a list of options for online or offline users. There is a presence indicator with the ability to chat or private message the user from his/her avatar in your Friends list.. For example, the following profile, the options list of the online friend gives you a chat option and shows you that he is online since his presence indicator is green.
However, the following user is not online (as indicated by the word "offline" and the grey presence indicator). The only option here is to private message the user.