Google chat

[ffutures]

I'm not a particularly chatty person; don't use any of the standard chat programs such as MSN, nor do I particularly want to. But Google are apparently rolling out Google chat as part of Gmail, and from the information they've provided so far I can't see any way to switch it off. Anyone know differently?

Comments

[mr-wombat.livejournal.com]

You can set it to only allow people you've explicitly approved to chat in the settings at the top of the page. It isn't turning it off exactly but as long as you never approve anyone they can't chat. I'm not sure if that means they see you turn them down though.

[ffutures.livejournal.com]

Unless I'm missing something, anyone who has me listed as a contact will know if I'm on line and looking at my mail. Ignoring normal privacy, there are all sorts of legal implications; for example, it could be used as evidence that someone had seen a particular item of mail.

[gonzo21.livejournal.com]

May I suggest the judicious application of a claw hammer?

[exp-err.livejournal.com]

Near the bottom of the main page is the line, "Gmail view: standard with chat | standard without chat | basic HTML". Click "standard without chat".

[ffutures.livejournal.com]

Thanks - but does that stop other people from knowing I'm on line?

You have to understand that this is all new to me, chat isn't actually working on my account yet so I'm going by what Google say about it, not what I'm seeing on screen.

[exp-err.livejournal.com]

Yes, it stops people from knowing you're online. I don't know if there's a way to make it default to the "no chat" page when you log in, though. But you shouldn't need to: in the chat settings, there's also an option to "Only allow people that I've explicitly approved to chat with me and see when I'm online".

[ffutures.livejournal.com]

Thanks! - that last one sounds just what I want.