Saving iChat Transcripts

iChat is a great tool for communicating with friends, family, and coworkers, which means at some point you will probably want to refer back to earlier conversations. iChat lets you do that, in the form of transcripts, and itis über-easy to set up. Hereis how:

• Launch iChat. Itis in your Applications folder, and probably also in the Dock.
• Choose iChat > Preferences.
• Select the Messages tab.
• Check Automatically save chat transcripts.

Now iChat will automatically keep a record of your text chats, all neatly filed away in a folder called iChats in your Documents folder. Transcripts are Spotlight searchable, which means you can hunt for specific words or people and get back a list of matching logs. Also, each chat transcript file name includes the name of the person you were chatting with and a date and time stamp.

Why save transcripts? In a business environment, you may need them as a log of conversations. With friends and family, the transcripts might include other important bits of information you need to reference, like birthdays, driving directions, or proof that your sibling promised to take care of the cat.

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