How To Fix Facebook’s Sidebar Chat: Install This Now!

Facebook users who hate the new sidebar chat can relax: Help is on the way, thanks to Tal Ater, founder of Green Any Site.

Ater, who discovered evidence that Facebook was testing a video chat feature last November by examining the social network’s code, was back at it this week, coming up with easy fix that involves changing one line of code, after which the sidebar chat will only display friends who are online, rather than selecting random contacts.

More details on the coding fix are available on Ater’s Facebook Fixes site, and the fix is available for download as either a browser add-on or in code form.

Ater described the process via email:

A couple of nights ago, while digging through Facebook’s new chat code (it’s a hobby of mine), I found hidden in one of their JavaScript functions, a very quick and easy fix for the chat problem everyone is complaining about.

It turns out, all it takes is changing one line of code, and Facebook chat no longer chooses random friends to show you in the chat panel, but instead only shows the friends who are currently online. No more letting Facebook decide for us who we want to talk to.

I just published the code as open source on GitHub, so that everyone can use it.

And for the less geeky crowd, I even created a little executable that you can download and run to fix the Facebook chat once and for all (it runs the code for you automatically when you visit Facebook).

Readers who are unhappy with Facebook’s new sidebar chat: Will you try Ater’s solution? Or if you already have, how’s it working for you?

Src :- All Facebook

More about → How To Fix Facebook’s Sidebar Chat: Install This Now!

Safety and Privacy For Facebook Video Calling

Who can call me on Facebook?

Just like with chat, only your confirmed friends can call you on Facebook. You also have the option to ignore any call you receive.

How do I make myself unavailable for video calling?

When you are available for chat, you are also available for video calling. Keep in mind that only confirmed friends can call you on Facebook, and you always have the option to ignore any call you receive.

If you want to make yourself unavailable for video calling and chat:

1. Click the settings icon in the right corner of the chat list.
2. Click "Available to Chat" to remove the check mark.

Can I block specific friends from calling me?

If you want to block a friend or group of friends from calling or chatting with you:

1. Create a friend list that includes the people you’d like to prevent from chatting with you.
2. Click the settings icon in the right corner of the chat list.
3. Select “Edit Availability...”
4. Check the box next to the friend list you’d like to appear unavailable to and click “Close”. You will no longer appear online to these friends.

Note: To stop someone from contacting you, you can also unfriend the person or block the person from interacting with you in any way on Facebook.

What do I do if someone is using video calling to harass me?

Please keep in mind that only confirmed friends can call you on Facebook, and you always have the option to ignore any call you receive. If someone makes you uncomfortable, you can unfriend the person or block the person from interacting with you in any way on Facebook.

More about → Safety and Privacy For Facebook Video Calling

How do I know if a friend is available to take my call?

You can see if a friend is available by entering their name at the bottom of the chat list on the right side of the page. Friends that appear online in chat are also available for video calls. A green dot next to a friend’s name means they’re online and a moon icon means they're online but inactive.

How do I end a video call?

To end a video call, just close the video window.

Will there be a record of my calls?

The date of each call you make and receive appears within your ongoing conversation history in Facebook Messages. The calls themselves are not recorded or saved.

I don’t have a webcam on my computer. Can I still make a call?

You can still use video calling even if you don’t have a webcam. You will be able to see and hear your friends, but they will only be able to hear you.

More about → How do I know if a friend is available to take my call?

How do I start a Facebook video call with a friend?

After you complete the quick, one-time setup, you’re ready to make your first call:

1. Visit your friend’s profile and click the “Call” button in the top right corner. If you and your friend are already chatting, you can also click the video icon at the top of your chat window.
2. When your friend answers, you may have to wait a moment for your call to connect before the video call begins. If your friend hasn't set up video calling yet, you’ll be asked to wait until the setup is complete.
3. If your friend is unavailable, you can leave a video message. The time and date of your missed call will be listed in your ongoing message history with your friend.

Having trouble? Make sure your webcam and microphone are both up and running, then try again.

More about → How do I start a Facebook video call with a friend?

Which Browser Should I Use To Set Up Facebook Video Calling?

Facebook Video calling works best with the latest versions of the following browsers:

Mozilla Firefox

Google Chrome

Internet Explorer

Safari

Note that Facebook video calling for Linux is not currently supported. You will need to use one of these browsers in a Mac or Windows operating system. If you’re having trouble with video calling, try upgrading or switching your browser using the links above.

More about → Which Browser Should I Use To Set Up Facebook Video Calling?

How do I set up Facebook video calling?

Before you can call your friends, you need to complete a quick, one-time setup:

1. You will be asked to complete the setup the first time you try to call a friend, or the first time a friend tries to call you. To call a friend, click the video icon at the top of your chat window.
2. Simply click the “Set Up” button and follow the instructions for how to set up video calling on your browser.
3. Once you've successfully completed the setup, the call you’ve started with your friend should connect automatically. If it doesn't, you can call again by clicking the video icon at the top of your chat window.

More about → How do I set up Facebook video calling?

What is Facebook Video Calling?

Video calling allows you to talk to your friends face to face. All you need to do is complete a quick, one-time setup, and you’re ready to call any friend on Facebook. If your friend isn’t available, you can always leave a video message.

How it works: If you and your friend both have webcams and microphones set up, you will be able to see and hear each other in real time. If you call friends who don’t have webcams, they’ll be able to see and hear you but you’ll only be able to hear them.

Call records: The time and date of each call you make is listed in your ongoing message history with each friend. The calls themselves are not recorded or saved.

Multi-tasking: You can continue using chat and other Facebook features during your video call.

More about → What is Facebook Video Calling?

Facebook Video Calling [HD]

Bring your conversations to life

Sometimes an emoticon just isn't enough. With face-to-face video calling, now you can watch your friends smile, wink and LOL.

Call your friends right from Facebook

Just click the call button at the top of your friend's profile or chat window — no need to launch new software. No answer? Leave a video message.

More about → Facebook Video Calling [HD]