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Say 'Hello' to TCHS Alumni Chat!
Testing Help If you would like to help with testing this or other features, please contact me. I am often on line mornings 9-11 and I try to hold "office hours" Thursday evenings from 6-8. At other times use the To The Editor form. All feedback is appreciated, even if I grumble a bit at your effrontery in suggesting all is not perfect. -Ed. |
We are currently experimenting with alternate live chat systems. If this is your first time chatting here, please read the Usage and Signing Out sections, as this may differ from other systems you have used.
High traffic times on the site - not necessarily on chat - include midday and 6-8 Pacific time on weekdays. Feedback to the editors on your experience is encouraged (please include names of OS and browser you use). At this time, Chat is open to all. See the instructions below or the summary atop the popup Chat window. We are working to integrate Chat with our new registration system. When that work is complete, registration and login will be required before chatting. Usage
To participate
All features are subject to change. This feature may be withdrawn at any time. Signing Out
To exit, first exit the chat by clicking
 (the exit icon may not be red). Then close the chat window. Refreshing or reloading the small chat window will in most cases sign you out, so don't do so unless you mean it. |
Private Messages
To send a message to a single user, click his name in the user list; a little dialog will appear.
Choose Private Message. A typing box with a Send button will appear. If you need instruction on that step you are probably not a TCHS alumnus.
The other person will receive your message and is free to respond, or not.
Choose Private Message. A typing box with a Send button will appear. If you need instruction on that step you are probably not a TCHS alumnus.
The other person will receive your message and is free to respond, or not.
Sending Links
You can send a link (http://site/path/file) to another web page; it will open a new window on the other user's browser if the other user clicks it. An easy way to do this is to copy the web address from another window and paste it into the typing box before pressing Send. You can mix text and links; be sure to leave a space between them.
Alternate Rooms
The "Quad" is intended as a lobby or reception room. You may wish to move to another room, like "The Gym" or "The Classroom" to reduce the distraction of people coming and going.
You can also create a new room.
If you created a public room, its name should appear in the list in a few seconds.
If you created a private room, watch for the names of people you wish to invite. To invite someone from the current user list,
Your friend is free to switch rooms, or not.
You can also create a new room.
- Click Add near top of frame.
- Type a unique name for your room.
- Designate public or private (invitation only).
- Save the form.
If you created a public room, its name should appear in the list in a few seconds.
If you created a private room, watch for the names of people you wish to invite. To invite someone from the current user list,
- Go to the room (choose it from the popup at the top moves you there automatically in a few seonds).
Click the name of the person you wish to invite.
- Choose Invite.
- Type a brief message.
- Send the invitation.
- Choose Invite.
Your friend is free to switch rooms, or not.
Transcripts
A running transcript is kept while you are signed in. If you leave and return after a brief absence and sign in with the same name you should resume your conversation (not guaranteed).
You may save a transcript with Save. (Simply opens transcript in web page; Print or Save As... as you wish.)
You may save a transcript with Save. (Simply opens transcript in web page; Print or Save As... as you wish.)
Text Formatting
Text formatting is limited. When typing a message you may make it bold or italic by clicking B or I. You can set your own text to a particular color by clicking the screen icon; your color will display on your own monitor. Formatting individual words is not supported; if it works in your browser, send $25 and we will acknowledge your excellent choice. You can insert smileys by clicking the smiley icon (inserting one after the previous sentence would have been good).
Options, Help...
The other options and help links provided by the software supplier are not supported by TCHS Alumni News.
Scheduling
The chat system runs unattended during this test period and while it is not abused. High traffic times on the site - not necessarily on chat - include midday and 6-8 Pacific time on weekdays.
A new section of the Calendar is available to schedule regular chat sessions for your class or interest group. Contact the editor to add your session. (Recurring sessions only; you can announce individual chats with the Calendar's Add an Event link.)
A new section of the Calendar is available to schedule regular chat sessions for your class or interest group. Contact the editor to add your session. (Recurring sessions only; you can announce individual chats with the Calendar's Add an Event link.)
Browsers, Popups, Preferences
Some browsers support "popup blocking" to prevent unwanted advertsements. The popup blockers are not of equal programming quality. We assure you the chat system works well if (a) you are running a modern browser and (b) iit is correctly configured.
If you encounter problems with loading the chat frame, then you may need to (a) turn off popup blocking while chatting or (b) define an exception for 'tchsalumni.org' in the browser's preferences (settings, options...). The details of how to do that on various browsers is beyond the scope of this help.
If you encounter problems with loading the chat frame, then you may need to (a) turn off popup blocking while chatting or (b) define an exception for 'tchsalumni.org' in the browser's preferences (settings, options...). The details of how to do that on various browsers is beyond the scope of this help.
Acceptable Use Standards
This is a family-friendly site. If you are here to be childish or offensive or to spam the chat room or other public features, be warned! You should know that many alumni have been unsuccessful in their careers and have reverted to near-criminal behavior that includes tracking down offenders and making them unhappier than they make us. Now, if you still need to shock your parents, we recommend Myspace, or perhaps a tattoo.
If you observe abuse of the system, please report it to the editor.
If you observe abuse of the system, please report it to the editor.