8. User manual for ginlo Desktop (B)

Note

ginlo Desktop is available for ginlo Business users running Windows, Mac OS and Debian Linux in our download area in the GINLO BUSINESS area.

Download the appropriate file for your operating system to your PC or laptop and follow the installation instructions.

If you do not have a ginlo Business account yet and want to use the ginlo Desktop as your first device, first read the section ginlo Desktop setup.

If you already have a ginlo Business account and want to set up the ginlo Desktop as an additional device, follow the instructions for Second Devices.

This chapter explains each of the menu items and the features found within them.

On ginlo Desktop you will find four main menus that will take you to other submenus:

8.2. “Chat overview” menu

You can reach this menu by clicking on the chat icon in the Sidebar. Now your chats will be listed. Your activity determines the order displayed, i.e. the chat you were last active in is at the top. Click on a chat to open it. Then proceed as described in the section In Chat.

There is also a search function and another submenu “+” where you can start a new chat, create a new group or search for users.

8.2.1. Search function

In Search field above the chat overview you can search for (group) chats and contacts. Enter at least two characters. You will see the number of chats or contacts found, and the chats or contacts will be listed.

8.2.3. Chat selection

Click on a chat in the chat overview to open.

Single chat

In the single chat you can empty or delete chat. To do this, click on the small arrow at the bottom right of the relevant individual chat in the overview.

Group chat

In the group chat, you can empty chat or edit group. To do this, click on the small arrow at the bottom right of the relevant group chat in the overview.

8.3. “In chat” menu

This menu occupies the right half of your ginlo desktop. You will find additional control options at the bottom as well as at the top. We will now go into these:

8.3.1. Bar at the bottom

Within a chat the bottom bar has a central meaning. In the middle of this bar you can enter the text for your messages, on the left edge another submenu staple as well as the emojis and on the right a cog for additional options for sending messages as well as a microphone for voice recordings.

8.3.1.1. Input field

This is the most important part of a messenger - here you use your keyboard to enter the message texts you want to send. You can use all letters, numbers and characters of your keyboard.

Before sending your message, you can choose from the options hidden behind the cog at the end of the input line:

Mark as important

You can mark special messages as important by tapping on the upper symbol with the exclamation mark. In this case, a red field with an exclamation mark will appear above the message on the recipient’s screen.

Time-shifted sending

The time-delayed sending of messages is particularly practical. You always wanted to be the first birthday greeter? Click on the clock and enter date and time of the desired date. Technically, the message will already be transmitted to the server, but will only be delivered to the user(s) when the respective time is reached.

Enable self-destruction

You can set messages to be irretrievably deleted from the recipient after being read by the recipient or after a specified time has elapsed.

Click sand clock:

Under time you determine when the message should arrive at the recipient. Set the date and the exact time and click on set*. Until then, your message will be encrypted and stored on our servers.

Under after display duration you set after how many seconds (maximum 60) after reading the message will be deleted. A new message appears at the recipient with the sand clock (desktop) or a symbolized detonator (cell phone) and text and duration. The recipient has to tap and hold the message and can read it while doing so. The remaining time is counted down and displayed accordingly. After the set time value has expired, the message disappears at the recipient’s - but it remains with you.

Hint

You can combine all three options - try it out!

Close menu

Click cancel or the cross in the upper left corner to close this display.

Hint

The actual sending of your message is always done by clicking the green arrow on the right margin.

8.3.1.2. Staple

When you click on this symbolized staple, a pop-up will open. Choose one of the following options (from top to bottom):

8.3.1.2.1. Camera

Click on the green camera icon - your PC’s or laptop’s camera will open, if you have allowed ginlo to access it. Take a photo by clicking on the green displayed “icon”. Click on Save to prepare it for sending or on the Camera to take a maybe better photo. Click on the cross to exit this application.

You can add more photos or videos stored on your PC, click on the “+” next to your already selected photo.

Optionally, you can enter a text, add a emoji and then send the message.

8.3.1.2.2. Audio

Click on the green microphone - the file manager of your PC or laptop will open, if you have allowed ginlo to access it. Select a saved audio file. Click on the cross to close this application.

You can add more audio files stored on your PC, click on the “+” next to your already selected file.

Optionally, you can enter a text, add a emoji and then send the message.

8.3.1.2.3. Contacts

Click contacts - your ginlo contacts will open. Find the contact you want and click on it.

Warning

The record of the selected contact will be sent immediately after you clicked on it!

A contact sent in this way can be saved locally by the recipient. To do this, click on Save.

Of course you can also start a chat immediately.

8.3.1.2.4. ginlo media

Click ginlo media - the folder with your ginlo media and files will open.

Select one or more files by clicking on them to prepare them for sending.

You can add more files by clicking on the “+” above the input line.

Optionally, you can enter a text, add an emoji and then send the message.

8.3.1.2.5. Files

Click files - the local file folder of your PC or laptop will open.

Select desired file by clicking on it to prepare it for sending.

You can add more files by clicking on the “+” above the input line.

Optionally you can enter a text, add an Emoji and send the message afterwards.

8.3.1.2.6. Pictures & Videos

Click files - the local file folder of your PC or laptop will open.

Select desired file by clicking on it to prepare it for sending.

You can add more files by clicking “+” above the input line.

Optionally, you can enter a text, add an emoji and then send your message.

8.3.1.2.6.1. Copy/paste images from other applications into ginlo

If you take a screenshot and copy it to the clipboard, or if you have an image open and copy an area of that image, you can now paste that image data into ginlo. These files will be sent as attachments.

8.3.1.2.6.2. Drag and drop image URLs

If an URL points to an image in JPG, PNG or WebP format, ginlo retrieves the image data and adds it as an attachment to be sent.

If the URL does not point to an image in the above format, the URL is inserted as text in the input field.

Only URLs that meet one of the following criteria will be processed as images:

  • The URL ends to either jpg, jpeg, png or webp - without a dot.

  • The URL contains either .jpg, .jpeg, .png, or .webp.

In all other cases, the URL will not be interpreted as an image.

8.3.1.3. Emojis

Click emoji to the left of the input field and make your selection. Emojis can be inserted anywhere in the text.

8.3.1.4. Send voice message

If you want to send a voice file, click microphone at the right end of the input line.

You will see a clock running along on the left and a red dot flashing. You can start recording.

  • Click red cross to delete the recording.

  • Click green arrow to send the voice file immediately.

8.3.2. Top bar

In the chat, the top bar displays the avatar on the left, the display name or the group name in the middle. To the right you will see a phone handset and a camera to start an audio or video call, a magnifying glass as a search icon and an arrow for further editing options.

8.3.2.1. Single chat

In the single chat you can see the status of your counterpart under the display name; in case of his inactivity, the time of the last use is displayed when the chat is called for the first time.

After clicking on the avatar you will get to the profile of the respective participant. Please read further under Manage contacts.

You can mute the contact, mark it as a favorite or edit it using the arrow in the upper right corner.

Hint

It is possible that not all editing options are displayed to you. This depends on the cockpit settings of your administrator.

8.3.2.1.1. Mute

Please refer to corresponding subitem in manage contacts section.

8.3.2.1.2. Favorites and editing

Please refer to corresponding subitem in manage contacts section.

8.3.2.2. Group chat

Analogous to individual chat, some settings can also be made in group chat.

Depending on whether you are a group administrator or a group member, you have following options:

8.3.2.2.1. Group administrator

Click group avatar - you will get to group overview in a new menu.

As a group administrator you can

by clicking arrow in the upper right corner:

Click cross in the upper left corner to close the menu.

8.3.2.2.2. Group member

Click group avatar in the chat overview - you will be taken to group overview in a new menu.

As a group member you can

  • View members and admin(s);

  • mute chat;

  • leave group;

by clicking on the arrow in the upper right corner:

Click cross in the upper left corner to close the menu.

8.3.2.3. Phone

You start a phone call.

8.3.2.4. Camera

You are starting a video call.

8.3.2.5. Magnifier

You can search for terms in the chat using this search function. Click on the magnifier and enter the desired term in the new window. Depending on the size of the chat, this may take a little more time.

8.3.2.6. Arrow

Click in the upper bar on the small arrow on the far right.

Single chat

In single chat you can empty chat or delete chat.

Group chat

In group chat you can empty chat or edit group.

8.3.2.6.1. Empty chat

To permanently delete the chat content, click on Empty chat.

Warning

The chat content will be completely deleted immediately and irreversibly!

8.3.2.6.2. Delete chat

To delete a chat completely, click on delete chat. A pop-up will ask you to confirm this action. At this point you can also revise your decision - click Cancel.

8.3.3. Edit messages

Hint

Note for ginlo Business users

Depending on the selected preferences of your administrator, the editing options described below may only be available to a limited extent or not at all!

If you move the mouse pointer over a message, a clickable small arrow appears right above the message. A pop-up with icons opens with the following options (from left):

Info - Reply - Forward - Download - Delete

Image

File

Location

Sticker

Text

Video.

Info [1]

X

X

X

X

X

X

Reply

X

X

X

X

X

X

Forward

X

X

X

X

X

Download

X

X

X

X

X

Delete

X

X

X

X

X

X

Select an option. The rest of the procedure is self-explanatory.