| Chat FAQ |
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Chat Central | Chat Calendar | Who's Chatting Now | How To Chat | Chat FAQ
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Answers to Frequently Asked Questions for Chatters |
What kind of browser do I need to chat?
You need to use a web browser that is Java-enabled in order to use chat on an About. Windows users may chat using Netscape 4.0 or higher or Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0 or higher.
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I am using a Mac and cannot connect to any chat rooms. Why?
There are known problems with Netscape's implementation of java on the Mac and we are working to find a solution. Mac users may chat using Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0 or higher. Please make sure that your java virtual machine is up-to-date. You can check by going here http://www.apple.com/java/
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I use AOL. How can I chat?
Just connect to AOL, go to the World Wide Web, minimize the AOL window and launch a Java-enabled browser. You can download one from http://www.netscape.com or http://www.microsoft.com.
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I am using a proxy server or am behind a firewall. Can I chat?
Sorry, but you will be unable to access any of the chat rooms from behind a firewall or via a proxy server.
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Does this chat work with IRC? Can I use an IRC client to connect to a chat room or use the chat client to connect to IRC?
No. Even though this chat client uses simlar commands, About's chat client cannot be accessed via an IRC client. Similarly the chat client cannot be used to connect to an IRC client.
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Does this chat client work with WebTV?
No. WebTV is not java-enabled and therefore you will be unable use this chat client. Please contact your WebTV provider for further information.
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How To's & Features
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How do I use chat?
On any About site, click "Chat Live" in the top frame to go to the site's chat area. To enter the room, click on "Log on to Chat." Enter your username/nickname. Chat names cannot contain any spaces or special characters. Click "Connect." You will now be in the chat room. You will see the other chat users in the window on the right. Type your message in the text box at the bottom of the screen and click "Send" (or hit return). Messages are sent to all users by default.
[NOTE: At this time, you cannot save or reserve your chat nickname. Nicknames are freed up as soon as you log out of chat room.]
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What do all those buttons on the chat screen mean?
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Chat Options - Change nickname, profile, password, memos and e-mail, as well as sound and notification preferences. |
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ProfileChange your profile for other members to view. |
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Person-to-Person Chat (P2P Chat) Launch a private chat |
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Members List Find out about other members, private chat, send e-mail or memos to them. |
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Send Memo. |
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Ignore A Member/Un-Ignore/Clear All Ignores. |
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Leave the Current Room |
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Quit Log off the server. |
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Access this help file. |
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Login Status logged in (green), logged off (red) or in the process of connecting (yellow). |
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Sound Send a chosen sound from the menu to the room. |
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Emotions - Use an icon to represent an emotion to send to the screen. |
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Actions Send a specified action to the room. Eg. " Bob waves" |
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Text Color - Choose a text color that you would like to use. |
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Background Text Color Set the background color of your text. |
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How do I send a private message?
Quick Message/Whisper: (to a specific member) Highlight nickname - type message - press Send and hold choose "Whisper to Member" from drop-down
For longer Private Chats: Highlight the nickname of the user you wish to chat with and then click the "P2P" button
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How can I copy and paste text I see in the chat window?
To copy: Right click (Mac, long click) on chat screen, and choose "Copy All." To paste, Ctrl + V (Mac, Cmd + V).
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How can I enlarge the chat window?
The 'float' option displays the chat window in a floating browser, and allows you to enlarge the chat window. To use this option, click the "chat options" button and click the "float" button.
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I am new to chat and I am not sure what all of these symbols and word abbreviations mean.
Symbols used in chat rooms are an easy, fast way to show emotion. Find out what things like ;-) or :P mean by visiting Smileys List for a complete listing. Or, if you want to know what all acronyms and abbreviations used in chat rooms mean, go to Huge Acronym List to find out!
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Can I get an audio cue when someone enters or leaves the room?
Yes, you can. Click on the "Chat Options" button and check the box marked "sound on join." A sound will be played whenever someone enters into the room.
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Can I block out annoying messages?
Yes, definately. To silence annoying chatters in your room, highlight the chatter's nickname, and then click the "Ignore" button at the top of the chat frame. Any message sent by the user will not be displayed on your screen. More than one user can be ignored in a session.
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How can I find out more about the others in the chat room?
Highlight the user's nickname and click on the "Members List" button. This will give you a listing of all the chatters in the room - simply click on the name you wish to look up. While we urge people to be forthcoming, there is no guarantee that the information you see is accurate.
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I am being annoyed/harassed by a user in the chat room. What can I do?
You can ignore the users by highlighting their nickname and clicking on the "Ignore User" button. The ignored user's input will not be visible to you after that. You can also email About or the Guide for this site with details of the problem. However, About may opt not to follow up on these complaints as much of this is just the nature of the Internet chat experience. Most of the time, About's chat rooms are unmoderated, so the Guide will not be available to assist you.
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