Chatting on the Internet
is another way for you to communicate with one or more people in a synchronous
manner. Their are several types of chat which can be used for this type
of communication. First, there is text-based chat. One of the most popular
is instant messaging. Take a look at the text-based chat capabilities
with Instant Messenger. This type
of chat can be used in a one-on-one buddy situation or with multiple buddies.
There are many
different types of chat software available and most is of the freeware
or shareware type so that it can be downloaded and used almost immediately.
The oldest and the most prevalent chat technology is Internet Relay
Chat or IRC for short. To use this type of chat network, you need to
download a program called mIRC for the Windows 95/98 or Ircle for the
Mac. This software allows you to log on to an IRC server through an
Internet connection.
With the success
of IRC, other chat systems and programs have sprung up as well. Some
programs operate alone, but many, such as iChat, are now available as
plug-ins for your Web browser so you can chat right on the Web.
iChat
iChat is available
for both the Mac and the PC and is compatible with both of the most
popular browsers, Internet Explorer and Netscape Navigator.
ICQ
("I Seek You")- A Guided Tour
