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Internet chat is about real-time interaction with real people. All you need is Internet
access through oceanfree.net and one or more of the many free chat programs you can
download from the Net.
Text chat is the most basic and traditional form of real-time Internet chat, where two or
more people "chat" by typing messages that appear in a text window, visible
anybody who has logged on to the chat room. But there is a growing number of other more
sophisticated types of chat system - some of them some even based on full audio and
graphics!
Different chat systems can be harder to set up and use than others, so it's worth trying
several types before settling on a particular one. This guide explains the following types
of chat system/software in more detail:
Generally chat rooms allow you to use either your real name or (if you want better
privacy) a nickname. But you can't choose a username that is already in use by someone
else in the room. Your chat software shows you a list of who's in the chat room and what
they're saying, then there is usually a separate dialogue box where you type your part of
the conversation.
Lurk before you leap
With a little practice and the right software, online chat is very easy to do and can be
great fun. But if you're dipping your toes for the first time you might want to
"lurk" - in other words, in the beginning spend a little bit of time observing
and watching how others interact in the chat rooms.
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