Groove provides a number of different ways to share ideas and carry out conversations. Specifically, you can chat, exchange instant messages, or carry out detailed discussions in a response hierarchy. Each method has its proper time and place, depending on the purpose and goals of the conversation. This article describes each discussion option and provides suggestions on when to use each one.

• Learn more about messaging in Groove

• Learn more about chatting in Groove

• Learn more about hierarchial discussions in Groove

About messaging in Groove

You can send a message to any Groove contact. Your messages can include audio recordings, file attachments, and Web address (URL) references. If Groove recognizes contacts listed in your contact list as also being Messenger contacts, you can start Messenger activities with these contacts from Groove.

Messaging is best when you need to share or exchange simple ideas quickly, such as a reminder, or a question that should yield a quick, simple answer. Messages tend to address a variety of unrelated topics, whereas topics in hierarchical discussion typically relate to the specific workspace context. Unlike a chat or hierarchical discussion, you can share messages with any Groove contact; that is, message recipients do not need to be members of any particular workspace.

Typically, a message yields a quick reply, because it gets the recipient's attention, and can be dealt with quickly. Also, messages are commonly shared either between just two people, or between one person and a group. For example, one might send a message to a group asking if they plan to attend an optional meeting. However, using messages to carry out a conversation becomes unwieldy and is not recommended.

Note, however, that a message might not yield an immediate response if the recipient is not present. This differs from a chat, as explained below, in which all participants are typically present at the same time. Thus, if your message is time-sensitive, it is important to check the recipient's online status.

Finally, although the Message History provides an historical record of all messages sent and received, this facility does not offer an easy way to review a thread of multiple exchanges.

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About chatting in Groove

Chatting takes place in Groove within the context of a workspace. Workspace members open a chat window to exchange quick chat entries.

Although workspace members could chat about any topic, chat entries tend to relate to activities in the workspace. Typically, chat entries do not include content that members care about keeping. Rather, the content is administrative, perhaps directing members to start an activity, go to a location, or open a file. Chat is the quickest and most immediate of all the Groove communication options, and is therefore effective for sharing time-sensitive information, at least within the context of a workspace. A chat can also be carried out effectively among a group of workspace members.

If a chat contains content that members want to keep, this content is better entered in a Discussion tool, where it can be referenced later. Note, however, that although a chat transcript can be copied to the clipboard, no method exists for converting it to Discussion tool entries.

About audio-chatting in Groove

Workspace members who have the requisite audio equipment installed on their computers can use Groove audio-chatting features. Audio-chatting is the most immediate form of communicating in Groove, and allows a workspace member to broadcast to all other "in-workspace" members. It also allows a group of workspace members to broadcast simultaneously, in conference. Note, however, that the ability to use audio-chatting features may vary depending on connection speeds and bandwidth, especially with the conference feature.

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About hierarchical discussions in Groove

To engage in a detailed exchange of ideas with other members of a workspace, it's best to use a Groove Discussion Tool. A typical discussion includes a main topic with one or more responses, and responses to responses. Unlike a chat, which displays a running stream of responses in a flat view, a discussion lets you see the entire "thread" of a conversation in a hierarchical structure.

A hierarchical discussion is most appropriate for any content for which it's important to maintain an historical record, and to present the exchange of ideas in a format that makes it easy for all readers to understand who said what.

Unlike a message or a chat, a hierarchical discussion rarely contains time-sensitive content. Rather, a discussion provides an opportunity for a group of workspace members to introduce an idea, and then build and develop it over time.

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