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Help with using the chat
Starting a chat
To start a chat, please fill in the form on the EconChat site. Filling in the fields marked with an asterisk (*) is mandatory. All other fields can be left blank. Before sending us your personal information, please read the terms and conditions of EconDesk and check the box in front of the “I have read the conditions of use und agree” checkbox.
As soon as you send your question via the send button, a new window opens. The window is split into three parts. In the left upper part the dialogue with the EconChat team will appear. In the left lower part you can enter your new chat messages. On the right side you will find some technical information concerning the chat. This space will also display websites that the EconChat team recommends to you in regard to your question. As soon as someone from the EconChat team picks up your call the message "Librarian has joined the session" will appear in the dialogue area on the top left side.
Sending chat messages
Type your message into the entry field and send it with the “send” button or the enter key on your keyboard.
TIP: A sent message disappears from the entry field and will reappear in the upper dialogue part of the window. This lets you know that your message was transmitted.
Ending sessions
You can end the session at any time by selecting the link “Exit Chat”. The chat transcript will be sent to you at the e-mail address you entered. We request that you do not leave your PC while a chat is active because we assume that you are still present and that there is a technical problem if you do not reply any longer.
Why doesn’t the chat work?
> Opening hours
The chat is available on workdays from 10.00 to 17.00h. At all other times the chat cannot be started. In this case please send us your question via EconMail. It will be answered within two business days.
> Activate JavaScript in your browser
To start the chat, JavaScript must be activated in your browser. If it is not, you can make the following changes in your browser settings:
- Microsoft Internet Explorer
In the menu bar > Tools > Internet options > Security > Internet > Modify settings > Scripting > Active Scripting choose "activate". Confirm your changes with a click on “ok”. - Mozilla Firefox
In the menu bar > Tools > Settings > Web-Features > select "activate JavaScript ". Confirm your changes with a click on “ok”.
> Pop-up-blockers
To start the chat, your browser must be able to display pop-ups. In order to allow pop-ups, please activate JavaScript in your browser (help for activating JavaScript in your browser). There are browsers and software that suppress pop-ups, which often contain only advertisements.
Pop-up-blockers are e.g. available in:
- Microsoft Internet Explorer 6 (SP2) or higher
- Firefox and other browsers of Mozilla
- Toolbars for Internet Explorer e.g. from Google or Yahoo
- Firewalls e.g. Zone Alarm Pro
- Special filter software e.g. Webwasher
The enormous variety of pop-up-blocking software makes it impossible for us to give detailed instructions to you. Normally your browser software contains a help module providing information on how to deactivate pop-up blockers in general or only for single internet sites (www.zbw.eu, www.questionpoint.org).
>>Deactivate/reset pop-up blockers:
- Internet Explorer
In the menu bar > Extras>Pop-up blocker>Pop-up blocker settings enter the URL (www.zbw.eu and www.questionpoint.org) under “allowed sites” or deactivate the pop-up blocker under >Extras >Pop-up blocker >deactivate pop-up blocker.
- Mozilla Firefox
In the menu bar > Tools > Settings > Web-Features > deactivate "block pop-ups " or add the URLs you want to allow to display pop-ups (econbiz.de, questionpoint.org) in the section "allowed sites".
> Firewalls
Please note that your firewall may disable the chat.
Please send us your Feedback if you have further questions concerning the use of EconDesk.
3: Lukas Roth