Web conferencing is an overused term. So much so that many businesses that have heard it are often put off by what sounds a complex operation with unclear direct benefits. But, Yuuguu’s how-to guide to web messaging and voice shows how straightforward connecting to groups of people can be

Yuuguu is an advanced instant messaging service that allows its users to communicate using text and voice with a tool downloaded in seconds to their PC desktops. One client says of its simplicity: “Even my most IT illiterate clients have no problems downloading and installing the application very quickly, and the connection process hasn’t let me down yet.”

Once installed, users can use the messaging features in a variety of ways. This basic guide outlines some of the communication features available and aims to help Yuuguu users make the most of the service.

Instant chat

To use the instant messenger service, you must first add them to your contact list.  New people can be added using the ‘find contacts’ link on the main Yuuguu window. Either manually enter the email address of the person you’d like to add to invite them to the service or you can import contacts from your existing email programmes. Contacts can be imported from Microsoft Outlook, Mozilla Thunderbird, Yahoo Mail and Google Mail. Once your contacts have downloaded Yuuguu you can immediately send and receive instant messages by selecting their name and then the ‘chat’ option. The chat window shows your current conversation and previous chat history with each contact.

Start a group chat

Yuuguu easily supports messaging with up to 30 contacts at a time. It’s a straightforward way to hold conversations with multiple people. To send instant messages to a group, select the ‘add’ link while in the chat window. Other contacts can then be added from your contacts list. Previous conversations with groups are also remembered in the chat history.

Share links

Any web address can be copied and pasted into the chat window to share links with contacts.

Voice calls and conferencing

Using any phone, you can start instant voice conversations with your Yuuguu contacts by dialling the number displayed at the top of the chat window. This service makes instant voice conference calling incredibly simple. If you’re in the UK, dial 0870 223 3485 and enter the unique PIN at the top of the chat window. Dial in numbers for other countries can be found here.  You record your name and are then announced into the conversation. This makes it straightforward to turn group chats into conference calls. If you leave the call, the other participants are told that you’ve done so.

Details of the costs of conference calling through Yuuguu are available at http://www.yuuguu.com/pricing and are also displayed when you click the blue button to the right of the PIN in the chat window. Costs differ according to your location and are charged to users’ regular phone bills.

In-call options

While on a Yuuguu-enabled conference call, you are able to choose a variety of options by using the keys on your phone:

• Mute: press #6 to mute your voice (press 6 again to rejoin the call)
• Lock: press #3 to prevent other users from joining the call
• Headcount: press #1 to hear how many people are on the call
• Rollcall: press #2 to hear the names of the people on the call