Sometimes a simple request has the power to kickstart an entire series of articles. So, here we go. Lyn writes:
“I would appreciate some suggestions that will make Facebook easier to use. I can’t send messages, for example. The folks I’ve asked say there is a blue “thing” near the message that I should click, but I’ve never found any “blue things.”
The first question I’ll need to ask if whether you want to send messages on a phone or tablet or using a browser on a PC or Mac. If you want to send a message on a phone or tablet, you’ll need to install the Messenger app. We’ll discuss that in a future article. Today, I’ll give you the basics of sending a message using a browser.
First, open your browser and go to Facebook. Click the message icon at the left.
Your chat window will open.
I use Messenger frequently, so I’ve already got a lot of active threads there. A thread is simply an exchange of messages. If there’s a green dot next to someone’s name, it means they are currently active on Messenger. The time at the right shows you when your last message was exchanged with the person.
To send a new Message click New Message at the top.
A chat window will open.
Start typing the name of the person you’d like to send the message to in the To: box. When you start typing you’ll see suggestions. Click on the friend you’d like to send the message to.
Once you’ve selected the recipient, you can start typing the message.
Hit enter when you’re done and your message will appear in a bubble inside the window.
Once you’ve sent a few messages, you can open a chat window simply by clicking on your conversation with that person.
You’ll see your recent conversation and can pick right up from there.
