Thursday, August 25, 2005

Google Talk Tips

Here are some tips, tricks and information bits for Google’s new Instant Messaging software, Google Talk:

• Certain smileys, like :) or :-(, are recognized by Google Talk and will turn blue.
• You can change the font size of the chat window, even though Google says you can’t. It worked for me by focussing either read- or write-pane, then clicking the scrollwheel, then scrolling it up or down.
• To write something bold, you can use an asterisk before and after the word, like *this* .
• To use italics, use an underscore before an after the word, like _this_ .
• “Google Talk” also was the name of a word game which uses Google.
• To switch between multiple chat windows, press Ctrl+Tab.
• You don’t need to say Yes or No when someone wants to add you as a friend; you can simply ignore it, the request will go away. (On the other hand, someone with whom you chat often will automatically turn to be your friend, unless you disable this in the options).
• You can show your homepage or blog URL simply by entering the it in your away message (at the top of the main window). It will automatically turn to a link visible to others.
• If there’s something you think is missing, send off a message to Google
• Wumpus is an easter egg game that came with Google Talk (unfortunately, he didn’t accept my invitation, so I can’t play).

[Thanks James Gamble, Markus, P., Code Mansion.]

Google Talk Tips by Philipp Lenssen | Comments (34)

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