1. DMIS Tools Course Lesson 2 - DMIS Messenger
Welcome to Lesson 2 of the DMIS Tools Course – DMIS Messenger.
We recommend you print out this course material as “Notes Pages.” That way, you can read along while you view the slides in Slide Show mode. You could also 3-hole punch the Notes Pages, place them in a binder, and keep it as a handy DMIS desk reference.
DMIS Web Services Release 2.3

2. Topics Accessing the DMIS Messenger
Adding Operators to a Messenger Session
Joining a Messenger Session
Exchanging Messages
Removing Operators from a Messenger Session
Saving a Messenger Transcript
Topics covered in this lesson.

3. Accessing the DMIS Messenger
Now let’s turn our attention to the aspects of DMIS that can help you with incident information sharing. The DMIS Messenger is a private chat capability. Only those who engage in a Messenger session know that the session exists. Like all DMIS transactions, Messenger traffic is 168-bit encrypted.
You can start a chat session by:
Choosing DMIS Messenger from the DMI-Services / Disaster Management Tools / DMIS Messenger menu
Clicking the New Messenger button in the DMIS Messenger box at the lower right portion of the DMIS main screen
Either method causes the DMIS Messenger Session Owner screen to display.

4. Adding Operators to a Messenger Session
You can add ANY operator who is currently logged into DMIS, regardless of COG, into a Messenger session.   To add an operator:
From the DMIS Messenger screen, click Add to select Operators for the DMIS Messenger session.
The Add Operator to DMIS Messenger Session screen opens.
Select the Operator's name from the list.
NOTE: You can filter this list of Operators by COG to make it easier to find an Operator's name from the list. You can also use the Ctrl key while selecting multiple Operators.
Click the Add button to add the selected Operator.
A message is sent to the selected Operator inviting them to a messenger session. The invited Operator has the option to accept or refuse the invitation.
If an Operator accepts the invitation, the Operator's name appears in the Operator List.
If an Operator refuses to join, the requester will receive a message stating the person has refused
Once at least one Operator has accepted the invitation, you can begin sending messages in the text box in the lower left part of the screen.
You can add ANY operator, who is currently logged into DMIS, into a Messenger session.

5. Joining a Messenger Session
REMEMBER: You must be running DMIS messenger to be invited to a DMIS Messenger Session.
If another operator invites you to a Messenger session, you will receive an a message informing you of the invitation.
Click the Join button to join the Messenger session or click Refuse to refuse to join the session.
If you select Join, the Messenger screen opens, displaying the session and a list of operators currently participating.

6. Exchanging Messages
Type message here and hit Enter Key or select Send.
Messages appear in this space in the sequence sent. The sender’s name and a date/time stamp heads each message.
DMIS Messenger is the online "chat" capability that you can use to communicate with other DMI-Services members.  Using DMIS Messenger, you can communicate with members of other COGs in "real time".  All DMIS Operators who have DMIS Messenger running are available for the online chat capability.
If you are opening DMIS Messenger because of an invitation to join a chat session, you may see the session in progress on the screen, otherwise the session area will be blank.
Exchanging DMIS Messenger messages is similar to chat services found in many other systems. Simply enter your message in the bottom field and hit Enter or select Send. The transcript of messages appears in the top right field of the screen.
When receiving messages you will get an audile signal only if the following two conditions are met:
You have audible signals enable in your settings.
You don’t have focus on the Open Session Screen.
CAUTION: When certain data entry forms in Tactical Information Exchange are open (Specific Needs Request, for example), you cannot access the DMIS Messenger. If you are in a current DMIS Messenger session, you should consider whether or not to inform other Operators that you are going to work on SNRs. Once you have closed the forms, you may continue with a current DMIS Messenger session or start a new one.

7. Removing Operators from a Messenger Session
Remove
Operators that begin (own) Messenger sessions can remove other operators from the session.  
Select the Operator's name from the DMIS Messenger Session Operator list.
Click Remove to remove the operator from the DMIS Messenger session.
NOTE: If you are not the operator to begin the Messenger session, you will not be able to remove any other operators from the session.
Operators that start Messenger sessions can remove other operators from the session.

8. Saving a Messenger Transcript
Any participating Operator has the ability to save a transcript of the chat session.
NOTE: The file name will have a .txt extension.
CAUTION: The saved transcript will only have the messages that were sent and received while the saving Operator was actually a member of the session. If the Operator was not a member of the session for period of time (off-line, not yet invited in, etc.), any messages that occurred during that time will not be a part of the transcript. Since each message is date/time-stamped, it may be beneficial to have all participating Operators save a transcript for important sessions.
To save a Messenger Transcript:
Select the Save As option from the File menu.
The Save dialog box opens.
Select the location to which you want to save the file.  You can use the drop down list to find a desired folder or use the up one folder icon.
Enter a name for the file in the File Name field, and click Save.

9. End of DMIS Tools Course - Lesson 2 DMIS Messenger
This concludes Lesson 2 of the DMIS Tools Course - DMIS Messenger.