Hello all!
We began a new series in our Info Highway Lessons. We cover one of the most talked about subjects on the Highway. Well, to some people. The subject is CHAT. Some say Conferencing, and other terms. It is in fact one step up on messaging. People often ask me what is the difference? If you've lately been wondering what everyone is CHATTING about, read on...
Fortunaely Chat is available via a wide array of online services. With Computer Bulletin Boards you are able to CHAT to others online granted the BBS you are calling has a multi-line system. Let us remember that when you call a BBS, most times there is only one line. Thus, only one person can be on at a time. If you are connected to the service and someone else wants to connect, they must wait until you are done.
With BBS's that are single line, you can still experience a form of chat. The conversation will take place between you and the BBS operator. The Operator may see that you are online and that you need assistance, he can "break in" and chat with you to assist. I have done this when I saw a user having difficulty navigating and assisted them. (Special Note: Currently I run only one Board for a Professional Organziation called BDPA. I used to run this and another. I have since put my concentrations on the organizations Board,maintaining their Web Site,FTP Site,etc.) I found that users are very elated when navigation is broken down for them. We don't just talk tech talk, many want to know about me and what other things I do. Often you find many just who want a listening ear. I have read that someone wrote, that many things are shared with online friends that would never be mentioned with offline friends. I tend to believe this. So the SysOp will be typing to the User on his/her system and they will respond. It is like typing a message to someone and as soon as you are done, you get a response and can reply back. This is often referred to as Real Time Chat.
On BBS Multi-Line Systems you can not only Chat with the SysOp, but whoever else is online at the same time,up to as many lines as are available on the board. I have read as many as 250 lines on some systems. I read of a coffee shop equipped with terminals so that customers can logon tot he local board and chat with others. The real fun with chatting online (or even messaging) is if you get to meet that someone offline. Of the many online networks that I have been a part of, I am happy to say that I have met many online friends, offline. This is a true pleasure and I hope to meet many more! Chatting is something that is here to stay on BBS's (other places to, but that's in the next lesson!). The first thing you want to do when you connect to the Chat Session is check out the available commands. This is usually done by typing a ? question mark. You can then get a feel for what is available and what is not. (Special Note: NEVER give out personal information in Chat if you do not know the person! Someone could be trying to find out your address and in particular with kids, "is mommy and daddy home". I hope you get the picture!)
We rap up this Chat lesson on BBS's Next we will cover the Online Services and then the Internets IRC... Until then hoping your cyber travels are good ones! Remember this lessons can be found in their entirety via...
http://haven.ios.com/~holmanm/lessons.html
ftp: haven.ios.com's
pub/users/holmanm/info_highway_lessons file ihlesson.zip
individual lessons are in seperate .txt files numbered.
Our tip of the week...
You have heard all about Web Browsers for the PC, but what about for your MAC thats FREEWARE?
Answer.
The Enterprise Integration Network's (EIN) MacWeb Software. Easy to install and as full featured as Mosaic and Cello. This may go Commercial, so get it while it's Free!
How?
FTP
Where?
ftp.einet.net (FTP) or
http://galaxy.einet.net/EINet/MacWeb/MacWebHome.html
Then go to:
einet/mac/macweb/macweb.latest.sea.hqx
Enjoy!