Get
chatting
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.
|
