Help (Java Chat)

Joining the Chat
To start chatting, enter your user name (any nickname) and click "Connect". Your user name must be a unique chat user name and is valid for your current chat session. You may also enter your real name, email address, and a password.

Sending Messages
Chat messages are displayed in the chat message area. To add to the conversation, type in your message in the text box below the message area. By default your message is sent to all users. To send a private message to a particular user, highlight the user from the users list on the right, select the 'Private User' radio button and type your message. Everything you type will remain "private" until you turn 'Private User' off.

Leaving the Chat
To end your chat session, click the 'Log Off' button.

Ignoring Users
To screen out obnoxious users, highlight the user from the users list on the right. And select the 'Ignore User' check box.

The Chat Buttons
The 'About' button displays information about ParaChat in the message box.
The 'Surf!' button opens a new browser and displays the last URL typed in the message box.
The 'F.A.Q.' button displays the Chat F.A.Q. in a new browser.
The 'Float' button displays the chat window in a floating browser.
The 'User Info' button gives the user's information - as typed in when the user enters the room as well as the idle time (how long since the user has typed in a message into the room.)

Customizing the Chat window colors and fonts
Type '*chat' in the text box (where you type to send messages) to get help on how to change fonts and colors for your window. [Note: You must include the asterisk (*)]

Example:
    *chat bgcolor black (changes background color of the chat window to black)
    *chat fgcolor green (changes foreground (text) color of the chat window to green)
    *chat font courier (changes font of the chat window to Courier)
    *chat fontsize 14 (changes font size of the chat window to 14)
    *chat (gives help on the entire list of commands available)
[NOTE: The chat room settings will revert back to the default when you log out of a room]

Audio Cue
A beep notification when someone enters or leaves the room.
Use the *beep command in the chat room to set an audio cue when anyone enters or leaves the room. If you enter *beep (in the message line) you will get a help message as well as the current beep settings.

To turn beep on when someone enters the room use:
    *beep enter on

To turn beep on when someone leaves the room use:
    *beep leave on

To turn beep off when someone enters the room use:
    *beep enter off

To turn beep off when someone leaves the room use:
    *beep leave off
[NOTE: Settings will revert back to the default (sounds off) when you leave the room]

Creating a Private chat window
In order to create a private chat window with a user, enter
    *priv <username>

Paging the Admin / designated room Operator
To get a private chat window with the room operator/admin enter
    *page

Customizing Message display - Wrap around/ newline features
The chat wrap command:
    *chat wrap [<interger>|auto]

Set the wrap amount to any interger value or to auto (automatic). This determines after how many characters should the message line be wrapped around. By default it is set to auto, i.e the message wraps around after it reaches the end of the visible chat window.

Example:
    *chat wrap 20

Then after the first 20 characters, a new line will be created, the wrap around is set at 20.

So a string 1234567890123456789012345 will appear as follows in the chat window:

12345678901234567890
12345

Chat newline command:
    *chat nl [on|off]

Set a newline after each message that is displayed in the chat window. This place extra spaces between the text and improves readability. By default the option is set to off (i.e no new line between messages)

Example:
    *chat nl on

The messages will now appear in the chat window with an extra new line between them.

Getting timed out - idle time
Most ParaChat rooms are set to have an idle time for 10 minutes. This means if a user does not type in any message for upto 10 minutes, the chat server assumes the user to be idle and disconnects. If you want to lurk (watch and not chat) and do not want to get timed out, just hit the User Info button every now and then (before the 10 minute timeout). Password protected usernames (e.g admin names can set the idle time as per their preferences)