Chat Room Information & Help

 

OnChat is an INTENSIVE java chat room and although it can be very slow to load, once it is loaded it can be a lot of fun. It is like stepping into a cartoon comic strip with live interaction between the other members of the room!

One of the nice things about this chat room, besides it's graphic interface, is that it loads as an independent page that will remain open allowing you to open other pages, browse the web or check your email.

I have set this chat room up for the fun & entertainment of my many visitors and guests. I have only one request, please be polite and refrain from vulgar or offensive language.

 

This a sample of how a graphic chat room looks. My room currently looks like a living room, with a portal to a fantasy island. I plan on adding additional rooms as needed.

 

 

General System Requirements OnChat is written in Java, and will run on most platforms. If you're curious to see whether or not OnChat will run on your machine, your best bet is trying it out.  OnChat does not, and can not, leave traces of itself on your system. Recommended Systems Requirements: Windows 95, 98 and NT, we recommend a 166 MHz Pentium or equivalent Browser Netscape 3.0 or Internet Explorer 3.0 Opera 3.5 with Sun's Java Plugin - Download here Modem 28.8 bps or faster RAM 32 MB Macintosh Operating System Version 7.6.1 or later Java MRJ 2.1.4. Download here. Browser Netscape 4.6 or Internet Explorer 4.0 Modem 28.8 bps or faster RAM 32 MB AOL Users Requires American Online Version 4.0. and later. You must turn off the "compressed graphics" option.  If possible we suggest connecting to the Internet with AOL, and then using running Netscape or Internet Explorer independently.

(There are two additional options for those of you who do not like chatting in a graphic chat room or if you can not run Java applets. All visitors have the option to switch from the graphic interface to either a standard text version or a standard HTML version, both of which do not have the graphic interface platform.)

 

Changing your Graphical Character - or Avator When you first enter the chat room your "Avator Icon" will first appear as a "smiley face ball" To change your Avator Icon's appearance and choose a new character to represent you with in the room click on the "Change Avator" button on the right tool bar. A window will open up listing all the available "Avator" characters to choose from. You can preview the avators prior to selection. I have chosen a variety of "fantasy" related characters for use such as fairies, mermaids, angels, wizards, dragons and unicorns. I will be adding more over time.

 

 

Express your Emotions! Emoticons help you show feelings in OnChat. Click on an emoticon and the image will appear next to your avatar character. After a few seconds, it will disappear.

 

Moving your Avatar Character: You can move or reposition your character to any location within the room. Click on different areas in the room. Your avatar will move to the area of the room where you click.

There is also currently one hidden "portal" leading to my hidden fantasy Island, when you click on the portal you will be transported to the island. I plan on adding additional portals once the chat room gets busy.

 

Hot Spots:
The "Hot Spots" button will show you other rooms that are popular with in OnChat. Click on the "Hot Spots" button, and a window will open up in the top tool bar. You can then view a listing and click on a room you would like to visit. You can scroll down to find additional rooms within the chat community to check out.

Chat Log
Click on the "Chat Log" button for a history of what has been said. A window will pop up. Click the "Chat Log" button again and the window will disappear.

Change Avatars
You can change your Avatar character at any time. When you first enter the room your Avatar will be a "smiley face" by default. Click on the "Change Avatar" button. The avatar window will pop up. Select a new avatar, and click on the "preview" button. When you find an avatar you like, click on the "ok" button.

Shout and Think
There are different kinds of text balloons you can use. To shout, type something, and then click on the shout or think button on the lower right of your screen.This will simply change the shape of your 'text' balloon to reflect your mood.
(If you cant see these buttons, your monitor resolution needs to be set to 800 x 600. To do this, click the start bar and select control panels. Next select Display, and then Settings. From this window, you can set your display to 800 x 600.)

Text Bar:
To move the textbox from the top to the bottom of the chat window, click the "Text Bar" button located on the upper left of the chat window.

Paint:
The Paint Button lets you paint on some of the background areas in OnChat. 
To use, click on the paint button.  A spray can will appear next to your avatar.  Paint by clicking and dragging the mouse across the background.  When you are done, click on the paint button again to turn it off.
Tip: When you are done painting, make sure you turn paint off or you will not be able to move. This changes will remain viewable until the room is closed.

Text and balloon color
Changing the color of your text gives you some individuality and can make a conversation easier to follow.
    To change the color of your text type \color.
    To change the color of your text balloon, type \color.
For example, to make your type red, type \red and hit the return key.
The colors you can use are red, green, blue, pink, gray, and black and white.

Search
Search helps you find user rooms. Click on the "search button" in the upper left and the search window will open. Type a username or a keyword and click on the search button. When the search is complete, click on the room you want, or click the "*" next to the room. This will "throw" a temporary button in the chat room that leads to the new room.

Whisper
Whisper is basically a private chat between another member of the room. To chat with someone one on one, click on their avatar. This will open up a whisper window. Click on the whisper text bar and type your message. If a user chooses, the whisper window can display email address, webpage info, favorite room and a description.

Whisper On/Off
Tired of people whispering to you?  Click on your avatar and select the "Ignore whisper" checkbox.
Ignore People
Is someone bothering you?  Click on the person's avatar and select the ignore button.  Select ignore talk, avatar, or motion, and then click on the "ok" button.
 
 

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