Learning the Internet

How often have I been told that "Chatrooms are for geeks and people with no life"? They couldn't be more wrong! Chat rooms on the internet are fun and are a great way of communication. You can find out about the way people all over the planet live or see how similar you are. I visit the #Starfleet Lounge in the Star Trek Continuum website. Yes, it's a place where fellow trekkies meet, but Star Trek is rarely mentioned. You just chat with your friends. I've made many friends in the Lounge, some of whom are close friends now. My online friends come from all over the world - Canada, U.S.A, Australia, Britain, Germany, Holland and many other countries. They are just like a friend you would know in person with real friendship qualities. They give you a shoulder to cry on. They brighten up your day with their witty remarks and just by being there. Indeed to find a chat room with people like this you have to search. But there are many chat rooms and chat forums on the internet for people of almost every age and for people with different interests. There are chat rooms for children, teenagers and adults.

You do have to be careful of who you give out personal information to. Never give out your actual address in a chat room. Although the majority of chatters are genuine, there is always the possibility of someone being online for the wrong reasons. Many of the chatters who have become friends exchange photos (you need a scanner to do this). It is fun and nice to put a face to a name. Chatters become email pals too. This way you can send and receive normal letters or exchange jokes (which are usually a riot) and also you can exchange greeting cards. So, you can keep in touch with the people you meet and plan to meet again. Interested? Here are some pointers:

1. You should use a search window on the internet to find chat rooms using word related topics. In a search window type a related word to what you are looking for. A few examples: Fashion, Animals, Books, Football. Places to find some good chat rooms and forums are: yahoo.com and bbc.com

2. Always use a nickname in a chat room or chat forum. If you don't have a nickname then choose the name of a T.V. character you like, or just make one up, like Sugar of Buffy or Sue. It is a good idea to always use this nickname so that people you meet online will recognise you.

3. The best way to join a conversation is to just jump into the conversation, or start by saying "Hi" to people.

4. Common initials used in a chat room or chat forum:
LOL/lol = Laugh out loud
WB/wb = Welcome back
J/K or j/k = Joke or joking
BBL/bbl = Be back later
TY/ty = Thank you

5. Symbols. These are typed using keys on the key board that may show an expression on someone's face or they can just be used for a joke.
:o) is happy face/smiling
:o( is sad face/unhappy/upset
= is grinning
(_8-(!) is Homer Simpson
To understand these symbols you tilt your head to the left and look at them.

6. Swearing in a chat room will get you kicked out of the room or even banned, so it is best that you don't swear. If you don't swear you'll be ok.

7. If you find that you have problems using a chat room like your computer modem going offline, you should consider getting a chat programme or chat server like mschat, MIRC or ICQ. (I use mschat version 2.5, it's great). As well as stopping your computer modem from going offline, a chat server allows you to colour your writing in different colours. Some chat servers allow you to play wavs (Music) in a chat room. Some servers also offer you the choice to talk to only one person at a time or even create a chat room of your own.

Just remember that chat rooms are a great way to make new friends world wide and to discuss topics or share opinions. But most of all to have a good time with your new friends.

Lesson IV

Htoo Twins

Asgard

Napster

Learning the Internet

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