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| AOL has dozens of different chat rooms. Even though most of them focus on a specific subject, chatting techniques are similar no matter what chat room you're in. If you're new to chatting, one of the best chat rooms to visit is the Lobby, a chat room without any specific focus. AOL's Lobby is usually full of people going from one place to another, and a few are usually willing to linger and have a conversation. This tutorial shows you how to visit the Lobby and how to chat. |
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| Make sure you're signed on to AOL, click the People icon, and choose Chat Now from the menu. |
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| A Lobby window opens, and the automated OnlineHost greets you by telling you what Lobby you are in. If the original Lobby is full (chat rooms allow only 23 members at a time), you may find yourself in an alternate Lobby, such as Lobby 1, Lobby 2, and so on. No matter-every Lobby works the same. (You can't visit a chat room that's already filled to its 23-member capacity-at least, not until someone leaves.) |
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| In the long text box at the bottom of the Lobby window, type a greeting message, and then click Send. (As with messages on message boards and email, avoid using all uppercase-it's like shouting.) |
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| Your screen name appears in the window's central text box, followed by your message. Within seconds, you'll see someone else's message appear in the text box. They may be responding to you, sending out a general greeting, or talking to someone else. Keep in mind that you've just entered a room full of people who may already be involved in other conversations. |
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| When someone responds to you, respond in turn by typing a message in that long text box and clicking Send. To indicate to whom you're responding (out of the possible 23 room occupants), you may need to include that member's screen name-or some abbreviation of it-in your response. (Uppercase is acceptable when it's part of someone's screen name.) |
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| Continue to receive and send messages as desired. Remember to be polite; a lot of people will see what you write. When you're done chatting, be polite by sending out a goodbye message. Wait a few moments for other members' goodbye responses, and then close the Lobby window. |
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