Site Meter Microsoft Office » Blog Archive » About hierarchical discussions in Groove

About hierarchical discussions in Groove

by Brick ONeil

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.

Using rich-text features in the text chat editor

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.

Using rich-text features in the text chat editor
The text chat editor supports rich text features, such as text formatting, hyperlinks, and graphic images. These features are available only while you’re typing in the text-entry field. You cannot edit a chat entry once it appears in the chat display window. Right-click in the chat text-entry field to see formatting options or select options in the toolbar.

Using ink chat features
Right-click in the text-entry field to see menu options for switching between basic text mode and ink mode. Ink mode lets you draw chat entries by dragging with the mouse, and provides options for styling and editing these entries.

Note Changing the chat editing mode automatically deletes any content you currently have in the chat text-entry field.

The right click menu (and toolbar options in a Chat window or Chat workspace) correspond to the current editing mode. If you have Text mode selected, you see the standard editing options you see in all rich-text tools in Groove. If you have Ink mode selected, you see the following editing options:

Pen. Draw with the pen in the text-entry field.
Erase. Erase a drawn object (or part of a drawn object) by dragging.
Zap. Erase an entire drawn object at once by dragging.
Lasso. Select and edit a drawn object. To select the object, drag a circle around the object. You can then move or resize the drawn object just as you would in a Sketchpad tool. You can also change the color and thickness of the drawn object by selecting from the Select Color and Ink Thickness tools.
Select Color. Select a new color for a selected drawn object or for subsequent drawn objects.
Ink Thickness. Select a different thickness for a selected drawn object or for subsequent drawn objects.


Leave a Reply


About Microsoft Office

We’ll be discussing Microsoft Office products, the suites, updates and upgrades, tips and tricks. There are wonderful programs that Microsoft has come out with, especially Word, Excel and Outlook. There are programs for everyone out there, from home and student workers, small businesses and corporations. So, keep in contact, watch this space, as the saying goes, contact me with your tips, comments

Microsoft Office Author(s)
    » Brick-ONeil

Technology Channel Posts

Hot Off The Press

  • finally, I draw names from a hat
    I've decided it's about time to announce some winners. Who has won what? I'm not sure what I promised, or what people want (I am distressingly vague today) so if your name is on the list, email [...]
  • Onobun, Hill lead big men in frontcourt
    He's built like a linebacker, has the smile of a child and the patience of a saint. After three years of under-accomplishment and the contemplation of a transfer from Arizona, this is finally [...]
  • Statue Unveiled & Shelter Celebrates
    Sid Patterson Statue Unveiled Mayor Kathy Taylor assisted in the unveiling of a statue, "Planting for the Future," commemorating Up With Trees founder Sid Patterson last week. The event took [...]
  • Preview for SPECIAL TNA Thanksgivings
    PREVIEW FOR THURSDAY'S SPECIAL THANKSGIVING "iMPACT!" BROADCAST ON SPIKE TV After the turkey, tune into Spike at 9pm ET for TNA's holiday event This Thursday night, TNA Wrestling returns to [...]
  • FSU weekly news (November 17 - November 21)
    In this edition of FSU Headlines (15:20): - FSU Goes to Omaha - FSU Driving the Future - FSU Making Cents for Students - FSU Going Global - FSU Goes Hands-On with Tuition, Music Subscribe to FSU [...]
  • Seattle Weekend Edition for 11/22/08
    We are just one week from Thanksgiving and just over a month away from Christmas. The Christmas sales are everywhere and stores are doing everything they can to lure your into their stores. Have you [...]
  • Friday Free-for-All - Romance
    Hello and welcome to the Friday Free-for-All! I don't know about you, but I am more than ready for this week to be over... Inspired by the Weekend Soiree over at Wifely Steps (and pretty much [...]
  • The Office Season 5 Episode 8 Frame Toby
    Toby is back at his old HR desk, causing a lot of anxiety for Michael who wasn't aware of this and who still haven't come to terms with Holly, former HR and the love of his life, leaving [...]
  • People Magazine Names Some Sexy Men
    Ok, I'm going to get to all ten of the Sexiest Men of the Year but I'm telling you, I may have to cheat and add some of my favorites in here because, really, they just missed the boat on some of [...]
  • Week-long activities educate about transgender daily lives
    Transgender Awareness Week has brought education and attention about transgender issues. Shannon Jolliff, Office of Gay and Lesbian Programs director, said it has been a success on campus. "The [...]