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What to expect when you go to a chatroom:
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- Usually you have to choose a nickname before you ever enter a chatroom. You can be "clever" (but not too clever, please.. it's difficult
to talk to someone with a nickname like []-[] [] ), or simply use your first name. Don't be afraid to use your first name, even if it clearly indicates your sex.
- You'll probably have the option of choosing a chatroom. Pick either a room that clearly welcomes/helps new chatters, or has a topic/agegroup
that you're interested in. Want some suggestions?
- You may end up being the only one in the chatroom you've chosen.
Just exit and pick another one. Room sizes vary dramatically - I've hosted as few chatters as 10 - and I've hosted a room of more than 150 <yikes>.
- Generally, a room list of the chatter's nicknames will appear. The list is often in alphabetical order, but not always.
Hosts/Guides/Sysops (the people in charge of the room) will usually have either a @ or a gavel
 in front of their name.
- How a chatroom "looks" depends very much on the software the chatroom
is using. You might get simple text (the easiest to follow), or you might end up with an avatar (a representation of a character - like a comic or
drawing). If you can locate the option (or ask someone in the chatroom), switch it to "text" the first couple times you chat.
- How you are greeted (if at all) depends on the type of chatroom you've
chosen. Don't be shy to say "hi" - just type it and press "enter" (or the appropriate button in that particular chatroom).
- Please don't panic if you start getting "ugly" whispers or private
messages. Don't reply, either (unless you're into that stuff). If the room seems otherwise friendly or if a host/guide is present, ask how you can put a chatter on "ignore"
 (which blocks all messages from that
person). If it isn't awful.. just ignore the person without the formality <s>. Want more advice?
- Then watch the chat.. get the tone, follow a conversation or two. You may get asked the infamous a/s/l question pretty quickly
(age/sex/location). Answer any or all of the question if you so choose - don't answer at all if you prefer.
- Two other important things the first time you chat (these are in addition to the information in the chatiquette section, which is a "must read"):
- It's ok to let people know you're new. If the room is friendly, they'll
help bring you into the conversation. If the room isn't friendly, you don't want to be there anyway.
- The big X in the upper right hand corner of your screen, or "exit" is there for a reason - to be used. If you're uncomfortable, leave the
chat, and find another.
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