 |
|
 |
|||||||
|
|||||||||
On-Line Web Chat or Web Conferencing Instructions
CYFERNet Team
What is Web Chat? Chat or conferencing is real-time "talking" with others by typing messages that everyone in the chat or conference room will see. Unless someone "captures" the conversation, it is deleted at the end of the chat. Chat & conferencing are the same thing -- but conferencing is also used to mean asynchronous or "non-real-time" posting to communicate with others.
What do I need to "Chat"? You need a computer with an Internet connection and Java-enabled or Java-capable www browser (e.g., Netscape 3.0 or higher, Internet Explorer 3.0 or higher, etc.). You do not need any special software or plug ins; you do not install Java.
What do I do? First, you will need to know the date and time of a scheduled chat, so you know when to "join" the conference. You also need to know the Room your group is scheduled to meet in (for example, Red, Green, Silver, Blue, etc.). Note for those planning the chat: the only regularly scheduled chats occur in the 4-H Tech Team room, and these groups have priority in the use of this room. You are encouraged to use one of the other rooms.
1. Find Chat Room Go to CYFERNet Chat: http://cyfernet.ces.ncsu.edu/CYF/.
2. Enter Chat Click on the CYFERNet Chat Button in the center of the page.
3. Select Room You will see a list of Chat rooms. Click on the name of the Room identified as the meeting place for your group (e.g.: the Red Room). This name will be placed in the Room Name box on the middle of the page.
4. Name Click in the box beside "Your Name" and type in your name. This is generally a first name, online nickname or username. You will be identified in the Chat by the name you type. Everyone in the Chat Room will be able to read the name you typed once you enter the Chat Room.
5. Profile Press the Tab key or click in the box next to "Your Profile". Type in information that will help others on the Chat know you and your interest in the topic. (For example, "Volunteer leader working with aerospace projects" or "Child Development Specialist from California"). Once you enter the Chat, participants can click on your name and read what you typed as your Profile.
6. Is it easy to read? Click on Options (top left corner, on your tool bar) to adjust the font and size of the font to suit your preferences. When you enter the Chat Room, the font will adjust to the preferences you selected.
7. To Enter: Press the Enter key or click on "Enter Room". You may want to click on the "coffee cup" icon in the top left corner to "Maximize" your screen.
8. The Uses of the Screen Boxes: The large left side of the screen is the conferencing area: in this box you will see the remarks of all Chat participants. On the right side, the box lists each Chat participant by name. Across the bottom is a narrow box. This is where you type your contributions to the Chat. Type a greeting to indicate that you are now part of the Chat; then press the Enter key. You should see your remarks added to the left hand box, preceded by a ">". When others "talk", their remarks will be proceeded by their Name so you will know who is saying what. (The 'talkers are not typing their name; the computer automatically adds it. Since you know what you are saying, the computer does not add your name. If you could see someone else's screen, however, your name would be listed in front of the carat on their screen.) Some of the comments may be slightly out of synch as some people "respond" more quickly than others. Continue reading and typing your contributions to the Chat. Its okay to talk when others are talking! Don't worry too much about spelling errors and and incomplete sentences. "Chat", as phone or a face to face conversation, is more informal than a typed letter. Its better to be timely in your remarks than perfect in your grammar.
10. To exit, click on the "coffee cup" icon in the corner and select "Close."
