Once you install the Spark program, launch it and login to the RTC system by entering your network username and password, and im.mbgsd.org in the server field (see screenshot; click to enlarge).

Once you’re logged in, you’ll see your Contact list and Conferences tab just like the web version.  You can add sound notifications and pop-up (“Toast”) notifications via the Spark/Preferences window.  I also recommend disabling chat history in Spark/Preferences/Chat/.

With the Spark program, you can also quickly send files to your contacts by right-clicking their name and clicking “Send A File.”

Download the Spark Client (Windows)

To access the Staff chatroom, login to the IM system and click the “Conferences” tab at the bottom of your contact list.  Then double click the “Staff” chatroom (click images to enlarge):

Select the staff room tab at the top of your IM area, and begin chatting with whomever is in the room.  A list of users in the room is displayed at the right of the window.  To leave the staff room, click the small “x” on the top of the staff chat room tab.

To create your own chatroom (i.e. for a department chat), click the Conferences tab at the bottom of your contact list.  Click the + sign at the top left of the Conferences tab:

Enter a room name (no spaces) and click the “Submit” button:

Now any user can access your room by double clicking it from the Conferences tab.  To add a password to the room (to allow only your department into the room, for instance), choose “Customize” before clicking submit.

EDIT: If you want your room to always be available, make sure you choose the “Persistent” checkbox in the custom room settings.

Press the “Enter” or “Return” key to send your message.  The message text will appear in the top portion of the IM window as part of the conversation.  Rinse and repeat.

You can have multiple, separate IM conversations open at the same time.  The windows are simply tabbed across the top:

To close an IM, click the small “x” at the top of the respective tab.

Once you’re logged in, you’ll see your personal contact list on the left, and empty space on the right where your IM conversations will appear. To add contacts (other staff members):

-Click the “Search Contacts” button:

-Type all (or part) of the contact’s last name

-Click the “Search” button

-Select (by clicking one time) the contact you want to add, then click the “Add Contact” button

-Click “Submit” when the “Add Contact” window appears

Now the contact you added will receive a message when they login in to http://im.mbgsd.org asking if he/she would like to allow you to add him/her to your contact list.  If so, you will see the user in your contact list when they are signed in, and you can begin instant messaging.

To log out of the system, simply click the “X” at the bottom of your contact list, or quit your web browser.