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Help > Chat FAQs

Chat FAQs

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Q: All I see is a grey box. Why can't I get into the chat room?

A: You need to have Sun's Java software installed and enabled on your computer to use Chat. You can get the latest, free Java software, and click on the "Java Software Download" button on the right side of the page. If you have already installed Java and are using Internet Explorer, you can check if Java is enabled by clicking "Tools," then "Manage Add-ons," then make sure that "Sun Java Console" is enabled.

If you are still having problems, contact the Lutherans Online Help Desk and submit the following information:

1. Browser and version (examples: Internet Explorer 7, Firefox 3.0, etc.)
2. Broadband or Dialup
3. Operating System (Windows XP, Mac OS 10.5, etc.)
4. Exact error message received. Do you get just a grey box, does chat take several minutes to load up, or does an error message appear when you try to get into chat?
5. What Java software and version do you have installed on your machine (you can find it under Start->Settings->Control Panel->Add/Remove Programs)
6. Browser security and privacy settings (you can get this within Internet Explorer by going to Tools->Internet Options->Security and Privacy tabs).
7. Java setting within Internet Explorer (you can get this by going to Tools->Internet Options->Advanced->"JIT compiler for virtual machine enabled" (should be checked). Also, there may be an option within the Advanced tab that lets you use a different JRE vs. the JRE that runs within Internet Explorer (it would read something like "Use JRExxxx for <applet>" - make sure this box is NOT checked).

Q: How can I tell how many users are in each chat room?

A: Click "User(s) in" to display the number of people in each room.

Q: How do I send a message?

A: To start chatting, Chat messages are displayed in the main chat window. To add to the conversation, type your message in the text box below the main chat window and click the 'Send' button or hit the return key on your keyboard. If you are on a Macintosh you will need to hit the Return button on your keyboard. By default your message is sent to all users.

Q: How do I send a private chat requesst to a user?

A: You can send a private chat request to any user in a room. To send the request to the visitor, click on the visitor's name from within the user list, and click on the 'Private Chat' button. You can also double click on a user to invoke the private chat command. You will see a smaller window pop up and you can chat with the user in that window.

Q: How do I ignore a user?

A: You can ignore any visitor in a room. Higlight a user's name, from within the chat user list, and then click on the 'Ignore' button. All ignored users will display a strike-thru through their name. You will not see anything the ignored visitor types, and the ignored visitor will be unable to have a private chat with you. To un ignore a visitor, click on the user's name from within the chat user list, and click on the 'Accept' button. You can ignore as many people as you wish.

Q: How do I ignore private messages?

A: When a private message is initiated you can click on the 'Ignore' checkbox and all future private messages will not be seen.

Q: How do I bold or italicize messages?

A: If you wish to bold or italicize your messages in the main chat window, click the or icons, then type a message and send.

Q: How do I change the color of my messages?

A: If you wish to change the color of your messages in the main chat window, click the color icon .

Q: How do I add an emoticon to my message?

A: If you wish to add an emoticon to your message in the main chat window, click the emoticon icon . See a list of emoticon keyboard shortcuts.

Q: How do I send an audio file?

A: If you wish to play an audio file within the chat session, click the audio icon .

Q: How do I float the chat room?

A: If you wish to resize your chat room, click on the "Float" button . This option opens the chat room in a separate window. This separate window can be resized and moved about on your screen. Close the window or click Unfloat to return the window to the original Web page. The default size of the floating window is 75% of your screen. Drag a corner or edge to resize it.

Q: How do I use the control panel?

A: The control panel allows you to customize your chat session. The control panel allows you to do the following:

• Rooms Tab - display other available rooms to chat in.
• Create Tab - create a new public or hidden room.
• Users Tab - search for other users.
• Color Tab - display a list of colors that you can use to change your displayed text in the main chat window.
• Icons Tab - click on a icon to be displayed in the main chat window.
• Font Tab - local font size, my user font, and window color.
• Settings Tab.
• Double space text.
• Beep on enter.
• Beep on exit.
• Join/leave message.
• Timestamp messages.
• Heartbeat - set a pulse to stay connected to the chat room.
• Block all private - blocks all private massages.
• Turn off Profile - turns off profile information.

Q: How do I copy text into my clipboard?

A: Click the "Clipboard" button to "screen dump" the chat text from within your main chat window into a separate plain text window. When the chat text appears in the plain text window, you may copy the text using your keyboard's "CTRL-C" Copy function, or your right-mouse button's "Copy" option. Use "CTRL-V" to paste the text.

Q: How do I leave a chat room?

A: If you wish to leave a chat room, click on the 'Disconnect' button and you will exit the room. Click this icon again if you wish to reenter the chat room, or if you get disconnected for any other reason.