
What is Chat? • Email does not permit realtime conversations. • Chat enables realtime communication on the Internet. • Chats can include exchange of pictures, animations, sounds and other files.
Types of Chat • Private chat- A chat that occurs between two individuals. • Public chat- A chat with any number of participants entering and leaving the chat room.
General Information • Lurking- Entering a chat room and simply watching rather than participating. • Emoticons- symbols used to convey emotions :) >:(
Remember: TYPING IN ALL CAPS IS INTERPRETED AS SHOUTING!
Internet Relay Chat (IRC) • A multi-user program for conducting informal discussions with individuals at other locations. • Commercial use of IRC allow companies to communicate with associates and customers.
Internet Relay Chat (IRC) • Chat participants use IRC client software on their computers. • Chat rooms are usually organized by topics listed as different channels. • IRC participants select nicknames to use when they log on to a server.
Internet Chat • Internet chat client programs require each person participating to have a copy of the program and be connected to the Internet. • ICQ ("I seek you") is the most popular Internet chat client available and is offered as freeware.
Web-based chat • Offer IRC capabilities • May be easier to learn • May offer additional tools such as pictures and multimedia elements. • Actions or feelings are denoted by typing the idea with an asterisks on each side (*smile*).
Web-based chat • When you type a message and hit enter your message is available to others. • Your browser needs to be refreshed each time a message is added. • Carefully consider whether to provide personal information when you register for ANYTHING on the internet.
Virtual Worlds • Adventure games played on the internet in which the objective is to find hidden treasure. • MUD (Multi-user Dungeon)- An adventure game that became very popular in the 1980s. • Text-based virtual worlds- Adventure games in which you use text commands. • GUI Virtual Worlds- Adventure games which allow each user to assume a virtual physical existence.
Usenet Newsgroups • A place for storing information • Newsgroups store messages on an electronic bulletin board as articles or postings. • One can respond to a specific article with a posting of his/her own which would then be posted to the bulletin board. • A response to a response to an original posting could be made. The continual responses to a specific message is called a Thread.
Usenet Newsgroups • Newsgroups are organized into topical hierarchies in which each newsgroup has a unique name. • Top-level hierarchies are shown as the first part of a newsgroup's name and subcategories follow (biz.marketplace.computers).
Usenet Newsgroups • Newsreaders- Programs designed for the sole purpose of communicating with news server computers. • Email clients have began to include newsreader features and Website are now archiving newsgroup articles which can be searched using newsgroup directories: • Liszt.com • Deja.com