Google Chat

Google Chat is an instant messaging tool similar to WhatsApp, iMessage, Signal and other chatting applications. You can use it to send text which may include links or formatting, files, emojis, GIFs or invites to a person or a group of persons. If needed you can also change your status between Active, Do not disturb, Away or a custom status message to show others when you are available.

Google Chat is available in Gmail, right next to your e-mails. You can also use Google Chat on a separate webpage or as a desktop app. Besides that it is also available as an app for Android, iPhone and iPad.

Start a chat:

• Open Google Chat

• Click New chat or + icon to start individual or group chat

• Write a message or send a file

Google Spaces

Google Spaces is a collaboration tool for teams similar to Slack or Microsoft Teams. You can use it to chat with your co-workers, share files and assign project tasks. Chat function in Spaces works in the same way as it does in Google Chat.

Google Spaces is bundled together with Google Chat. Because of that it is available on the same platforms as Google Chat.

Create Google Space:

• Open Gmail or Google Chat

• Next to Spaces click New space or + icon to create a Space

• Enter a space name

Optional: At the top left, click Choose an emoji icon to select an avatar for the space. If nothing is selected, a default avatar is used.

• Enter names or email addresses of people you want to add. You can also select people from suggestions. Suggestions include frequently used contacts from SSE Riga, even if they don't actively use Google Chat

Note: If you want to add people who are not from SSE Riga, check Allow people outside your organization to join

• Click Create

Note: You can add or remove people from space after it is created. Just enter their names or emails and click Send to add them. To remove people, click View members, find a contact you want to remove, click on More options (three vertical dots icon), then Remove from space

More information about using Spaces at Use Spaces in Google Workspace

Use Google Chat and Spaces in Gmail

Use Google Chat and Spaces separately

Use Google Chat as a separate webpage:

• Go to http://chat.google.com/. Log in with your SSE Riga account if needed.

In Chat section you will see a list of your recent conversations and status of conversation members. By clicking on a + icon, new conversations can be started. More options (three vertical dots icon) next to conversations allow you to hide or delete previous conversations and pin your most frequent ones.

Spaces section will show your spaces. Here you can add a new space, pin frequent ones or leave ones you don't need.

Below Spaces you will see a Meet section. Here you can quickly create or join a meeting.

More information about Google Meet can be found at Google Meet page.

Use Google Chat as a desktop app (only by Google Chrome):

• In Google Chrome, go to http://chat.google.com/. Log in with your SSE Riga account if needed

• At the top right of Google Chrome, open Settings menu (three vertical dots icon) - Install Google Chat

• The desktop app will be installed and launched. A shortcut to Google Chat will be added to your desktop

The interface of Google Chat desktop app is identical to the webpage and will offer the same options.

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