Some little tidbits about the new dash. - Matt Gerlach

Matt Gerlach

An Xbox MVP

Some little tidbits about the new dash.

If you are on my messenger list, you have have seen me on messenger on my 360.  A couple of things I've learned:

  • How do I sign in?
    •  Click the "Chat and IM" button on the Live blade, or hit the guide, and press the "Chat or IM button":
      • For first timers, it will list the associated Live ID that you have, and will ask for your password.  Follow directions to sign in.
      • For people beyond their first time, if you save your password you can just click the "Sign in button".
  • How do I prevent the Auto Sign in?
    • The option is placed in the same location as the auto sign in with your Xbox Live account.  Click on your gamertag, then proceed to "Disable Auto Sign in".  There you will see two options, one being for the 360 and one being for your Live ID/Messenger account.
  • How do I show all my contacts?
    • Proceed to your friends list and press Y.  That will show all of your contacts, Xbox Live and Messenger.
    • When Contacts are hidden: it will only show your Xbox Live Friends.  If your Xbox Live friend has a messenger account, it will show their gamertag and their status (if only on the PC Messenger) as being "On Messenger".  Their status (busy, away, online) will be shown next to where it says "On Messenger".
    • When contacts are Shown: Contacts and XBL Friends will be shown in an alphabetical order.  Online friends/contact will be alphabetical on top, with offline friends/contacts assigned alphabetically below the online friends/contacts.  A persson that is not on your XBL friends list (or has a different Live ID with their gamertag), will have their Messenger message where it says their status, with a picture of a PC on the right side.
  • How do I start a new conversation?
    1. Click "Chat and IM" on either the Live blade or the Guide.
    2. Go to the right tab, labeled "Messenger".
    3. Click "New Conversation"
    4. Select the contact you will like to talk to.
  • How do I get that cool overlay that I saw with Major Nelson talking to Trixie (as seen below)?
    • Since the Text Input Device has not been released as of the release of the dashboard, you are required to use the keyboard.  Any USB keyboard will work with the 360.
      • You need to start a conversation with a contact.
      • Then press "[Windows Key] + M".  That will create the new overlay.
      • If you have multiple coversations (can have up to 6), "Ctrl + right" will cycle through the conversations.
      • You can close the conversations with the ESC button, the Windows Key [acts as the guide button], and "[Windows Key + M"], via the keyboard.
  • Does "[Windows Key] + M" do anything else?
    • Yes, actually it does.  If you do not have any current conversations, "[Windows Key] + M" will get you straight to the messenger area of the 360.

 

 

Thats a good amount of info to get you started with the new Xbox 360-Messenger integration.  If you would like some more info, please do not hesitate to contact me, send me a live message, or leave a comment.

You guys and girls, will be enjoying the new dash.  I am.

Posted: Wed, May 9 2007 9:30 by gerlach | with 6 comment(s)
Filed under:

Comments

Koz said:

Been looking everywhere for info about the "next" icon in the box, Thanks for the info, appreciate it, oh and cool blog :D

# May 9, 2007 8:21 AM

DeaconBlade 360 said:

Nice info Matt.

# May 9, 2007 8:23 AM

ShockedSalmon said:

Where the square(ctrl) and the right arrow takes you to the next convo. What would the *little messenger people* button be on the keyboard?

# May 9, 2007 10:27 AM

Cameron said:

Awesome, thanks!  So, what happens when you have six conversations going on, and someone new tries to IM you?

# May 9, 2007 12:31 PM

TG said:

Hmm, conveniently there doesn't seem to be any way to add new MSN contacts via the dashboard. What a pain in the ass.

# May 9, 2007 2:16 PM

gerlach said:

Shockedsalmon, I would have to look at that again.  I am not sure (I dont know if there is a keyboard button that correlates with it).

Cameron, the person would get a message saying that the message could not be delivered.  I believe once you clear a spot, it tells you you received a message from what would be person #7.  I dont think it cues the actual message, but a message saying "[so and so] messaged you".

# May 10, 2007 10:25 AM