• Click here to discover 'General tips for chatting'.

Java Chat

This is a common form of chat that does not require a download. You can simply access the site and use the rooms wherever you are in the world, as long as you have Java enabled on your computer. They are sometimes more simplistic and limited versions of chats in which you have the program downloaded onto your computer. Examples of java chat include: 

• Excite Talk - That's where I met Tim ;-)
• Yahoo Chat
• Chat Machine
• Chat Center

IRC (Internet Relay Chat)

IRC, as far as I am aware, requires a program to be on the computer. It is usually a free download, but it means that if you are at work, public Internet cafe, educational institution or anywhere else that may not have the download already on the computer, you cannot chat with IRC. However, many work places set up their own IRC. It is a type of program that can be for a specific group of people. An example of IRC is: 

• mIRC - This is one I've used. It is quite a basic system that lacks some of the fancy graphics and sounds of other chat programs, but it also has the option to set up your own rooms and control who uses them. Not all chat programs have those options.

Instant Messaging

These are also programs on the computer which can be downloaded for free. Instant messaging programs work by showing you who else of your friends on your list (that you create) is online when you are online. They are smaller programs that usual chat programs, so it's handy to have it on in the background if someone comes on and wants to ask something, or you want to speak to them. It's a good way of chatting to only those who you choose to add to your list. It saves opening a full chat room when you only want to speak to people individually. It also saves a lot of hassles of unwanted people hassling you in a room. I tend to use chat rooms for meeting new people, or meeting a regular group of people, and use an instant message program in the background when I'm on the internet in case someone comes on who I'd like to talk to.

Types of Messengers:

• ICQ (I Seek You) - This is one I use. It works well :) It's probably one of the most popular ones.
• Yahoo! Messenger - I've just started using this one too (some friends used this instead of ICQ). It doesn't seem to have all the options of ICQ like being invisible to some and not others, but it does make voice chat very easy. Get yourself a headset and join in! Oh, Yahoo also tells you when your Yahoo email has arrived.
• MSN Messenger - It's pretty much like Yahoo Messenger to me.

Is it ready to use/connected?

• Yahoo connected = green light and the word "Connected" next to it in the window.
• ICQ connected = little red flower goes fully green.
• If neither are connecting (wait 15 seconds) and you can't get to any web sites, check your Internet connection (Double click on the little icon at the bottom right of the task bar where the two computers are. If the timer is still counting, you are theoretically connected, but if nothing is working, disconnect).

How to chat

• To chat to someone on your list
• Check that they have the symbol beside their name is bright, not dull, to indicate they are online.
• Then double click on their name. A little window will open for you both to chat in.
• Type your message, then either press the "Enter" key or click "Send".
• Chat/conference rooms can be started in messengers if you want to chat to more than one person on your list at a time.
• Tips on chatting can be found down this page a bit.

Adding friends to your list

• When someone wants to add you to their list of friends on the messenger, they need to ask for your authorisation. You can "accept/authorise and add" [to your list] or "decline". It is up to you whether you want them on your list or not.
• If you want to add someone to your list, you will need to click on "add/add friends" and type in their ID.

Chat room download

Chat rooms accessible online (Java Chat) from anywhere, often also have an optional program to download onto your computer to use online. The difference between using chat rooms with the download and without is basically the features available during chat. The download version is often faster to load, or get started, each time. The download also tends to have more visual and audio features as well as other options. An examples of a chat room download is: 

• Excite Talk - This is the download version of the Excite Talk in the Java Chat listed above. When I met Tim, I was using the Java version while Tim was using the download. It just meant that I couldn't see any of the avatars (little images) people use to represent themselves, or hear gestures, etc. We could still chat. Now I use the download version because I have the option to at home, and it is easier and more fun. The download also have voice chat as one of its features.

Voice Chat

Voice chat means that people are really talking to each other, using speech rather than being limited to typing. It is becoming more common and can be found through the chat room downloads and the messenger services. To use voice chat you need a headset or a microphone and speakers for your computer. Also make sure you have "Mic on" in your sound section, and if there is no sound when you plug it into the front, there is usually a more direct connection out the back of your computer where you sound card is. Just look for a hole the same size as the one at the front of the computer for your headphones and try it out. I have found voice chat to cut in and out a bit, but still quite clear.

• In both messengers and chat rooms, people can speak in private as well as the main room.
• You can speak in more than one private chat at a time if you can keep up. Just remember how to change windows (task bar).
• Files can be sent and received. Do not accept/download files from anyone you're not sure you can trust. They may be sending you a virus. Click here for more information about 'Security on the Internet'.
• Language is not always friendly in all chat rooms.
• See here for more details of how to use programs in general.

Abbreviations & lingo used in chat:
brb	I'll Be Right Back
hb	Hurry Back
bbl	I'll Be Back Later
:-)	Smiley face (look side on)
*S*	Smile. Same meaning as :-)
:-(	Sad face
:-P	Poking my tongue out
>:-)	Evil grin
B-)	Cool smile
:-O	Shocked look
;-)	Winking face
:-|	Grimace
a/s/l?	What's your Age, Sex, & Location (country/state)?
lol	Laughing Out Loud
rotfl	Rolling On The Floor Laughing
*g*	Grin