One of the nice features of the FirstClass client is the way you can "chat" with people. Now, depending on your typing speed... mood... whatever... this can either be loads of fun... or a pain in the bum! Here's how to get started, and stuff to bear in mind!
If you're using Internet Explorer you must have the Java Console enabled.
To do this, just click on "Tools", then "Internet Options..." and select the "Advanced" tab. Scroll down until you get to the Java VM options. There's a small tick box next to where it says "Java Console enabled (requires restart)"... make sure there's a tick in it.
To start chatting, click on the link that says "Private Chat"
...or enter the public chat (found by clicking the Open University icon then "Meeting Place"). Doing either of these should bring up the following screen:
In a private chat, click on the "Invite" button... and select the name of the person you want to chat to from those available (in a public chat there will probably already be people there, but you can invite people anyway!)
TOP TIP: if you want to find out who's online using the browser, then doing this is one way you can find out!!
When there is at least one other participant listed, you can start chatting! Type into the input box, and press "return" or click on the "Send" button. The conversation and contributions from the other participants happens in the lower "output" window.
To leave the chat, simply close the browser window, or go to another web page!
1. If you're accessing your browser from behind a company firewall, you still may not be able to access the chat facility... it can be blocked.
2. Remember, the chat screen in your browser can take quite a while to load... just be patient, it'll happen!
3. You cannot be invited into a chat session, you have to start it yourself, or join a public chat - to other users of FirstClass you appear as if you don't want to accept chat invitations if you're using your web browser.
4. If long sentences are typed, you'll have to scroll horizontally in the "output" window to read them.
11 January, 2004
