Boreal Access

There are two steps in setting up the service:

1. Create an account -to do this:
   
   • Go to this website: http://chat.boreal.org:9090/plugins/borealregistration/sign-up.jsp
   • Fill out the form and click the "Create Account" button.  Note that you will need to enter your Boreal username (everything before @boreal.org in your email address) and password to verify that you're a Boreal member.
     
2. Set up your Instant Messaging software:
   NOTE:  You can use any software that supports the XMPP, or Jabber protocol.  Some (but definitely not all) software is listed on these pages: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Jabber_client_software and http://www.jabber.org/clients.  Boreal recommends Pidgin, which you can download free from http://www.pidgin.im/download/.  The following instructions are for Pidgin, but can probably be used for other clients as well:
   
   1. Download and install the Pidgin software on your computer.
   2. Start the software.  Click the Accounts menu, and select Manage.
   3. In the window that appears, click the Add button.
   4. Another window will appear - fill in the following information:
      Protocol: XMPP
      Screen name: The username you selected in step 1
      Domain:  chat.boreal.org
      Resource: leave as Home
      Password: The password you selected in step 1
      Local Alias: Pick a nickname.  When you send a message, this is what the recipient will see as who the message came from.
      
   5. Click the "remember password" box if you don't want to have to type in your password every time, then click the Save button.
   6. Your software is now set up and ready to go.

Once you're set up, of course you'll want to start sending messages!  Here's how to send a message using the Pidgin software.  (Note that the person you're sending the message to must also have an instant messaging account somewhere.)

1. Open your Pidgin software.
2. Click the Buddies menu, then select "New Instant Message".
3. Enter the name of the person you want to send the message to on the next screen.  Note that if you're sending it to another Boreal Instant Messaging member, the name will be their Instant Messaging username@chat.boreal.org - ex joeblow@chat.boreal.org.
   
4. Click OK. A messaging window will appear.  Type your message in the bottom half of the window and hit <Enter>.  The message will be sent.  If the person replies, you'll see their reply in the top half of the window.
   

A couple notes: Before you can send someone a message, they must approve you.  When you first send a message to someone they'll see an alert in their software saying that you want to allow them as a "buddy".  They can click to approve this request, at which point they'll see your message.

If you're going to send messages a lot to a particular person, you can add them to your "Buddy" list.  In Pidgin, click the Buddies menu  and select "Add Buddy".  In the window that appears enter your Buddy's name - ex. joeblow@chat.boreal.org.  Optionally, enter a nickname for that person in the Alias field.  Click the Add button and that person will receive an alert asking them to approve you as a buddy.  Once they do, they'll show up in your buddies list, and you can send them a message by double-clicking their name in the list. 

Click here for information on electronic meetings.