noticeboard.ru.ac.za

During the Tuesday, August 18th maintenance window, maintenance work will affect certain services, starting at 5:30 PM and being completed before midnight. The following work is planned:

• Google Hangouts: we will be switching from Google Hangouts to Google Chat, which includes upgraded integration with Gmail. If you've been using the old Google Hangouts for text messaging up until now, please see the following information about Google Chat.

  Starting during the maintenance window, classic Hangouts apps will be turned off; and Chat can be used for 1:1 direct messages (DMs), group messages, and team discussions instead.
  How do I get Google Chat? It's important to do the following before 19 August as classic Hangout apps will stop working:
  • Explore the new Web experience at chat.google.com
  • Download the new mobile app for Android or iOS
  • Download the new standalone desktop app if you've been using the classic Hangouts Chrome extension or app. You'll be able to access the desktop app from a prompt that will appear inside chat.google.com
  • On 19 August, refresh your Gmail to get the new Chat in Gmail experience.
  Again, please make sure you install the Chat mobile app (Android or iOS) before 19 August to minimize chances of missed messages.
  Where do I find my old chats?
  • You will be able to continue recent 1:1 direct messages from classic Hangouts in Google Chat, but group messages from classic Hangouts (including their history) will not be migrated to Google Chat.
  • All previous chat history from classic Hangouts will be accessible in Gmail.
  • The classic Hangouts web interface for chat, hangouts.google.com will remain available during this transition in case you need more time to access and move certain group conversations. Users cannot chat in classic Hangouts by visiting hangouts.google.com in a mobile browser. 
  • The classic Hangouts bot in Chat will also notify you of missed group messages from classic Hangouts.
  What are the limitations of Chat?
  • Group messages from classic Hangouts (including their history) will not be migrated to Chat. Users can still access these group messages in hangouts.google.com.
    
    If you have important group messages in classic Hangouts, we recommend that you recreate them as Rooms in the new Chat.
     

  • Group direct messages and rooms that are started in the new Chat will not send messages to users who are still on the classic Hangouts apps.

  Where do I go for help?

  • G Suite Learning Center for more information about the new Chat

This work is being conducted during a minor maintenance period. Should there be a compelling reason why this work should not go ahead as planned, please contact support@ru.ac.za before 3:00 PM on Tuesday.