Chat Room Tips

[Cassie Jones (1gr8muggle)]

Here are some tips for using the DD Chat Room.

Joining a Chat:

• Click on “Chat Room” at the top of any DD page.
• Click on “Full Screen Chat Room” to open a new window for the chat.
• Click “Register” if you haven’t done so, otherwise type in your User Name and Password and click “Login.”
• Click on “Designers Studio” to enter the main chat room.
• Simply type your message and press the enter key (or click Send) to join the chat.

Note: Admin does not have the ability to reset your password. If you cannot get in but are already registered just make up a fake name and email address or sign in as a guest.

Setting Your Options:

There is a toolbar in the bottom of the chat window where you can select your icon, font type (bold, italics, underlined), font size, font color, insert emoticons, change the background, select a Flash emoticon (animated), or use a predefined message. These all affect how your messages will appear in the chat. *note: during a scheduled chat, it helps if you keep your font black & not bold so that the hostess's comments stand out for all participants.

At the top of the screen, you will see your username with your icon next to it. Click the icon to change your displayed nickname. It’s helpful to change your display name to your first name and then your DD username in parentheses, like “Cassie (1gr8muggle).” That allows people to associate you better with your work on the site, while addressing you by your first name, which is generally easier to type.

You can also set options for the actual chat room features. Changing these things will only affect how it looks to you, and not other chat room users.

• Click “Options” at the top of the screen.
• Use this box to set how your message text appears, which sounds you hear, and whether or not the chat room will remember your username, password, and other preferences when you log in each time.
• Click “Close” when you are finished

Scrolling & History:

There are 5 buttons in the upper right of the chat room window.

• Click the up/down arrow button to stop the chat from scrolling. Click it again to resume scrolling.
• Click the audio button to mute all sound. Click it again to turn the sound on.
• Click the sheet of paper button to view the chat history. In the History window, click the “Select” button to select all the text. Then type Cmd/Ctrl-C to copy it, open your own notekeeping software (like Microsoft Word) and type Cmd/Ctrl-V to paste the text. (Note: The history can only keep so much in its memory. Once it is full, it won’t keep any more history until you clear the current history. It’s a good idea to clear this periodically, especially during an all-day chat.)
• Click the eraser button to clear the text in the current chat window. (This will not remove it from the history).
• Click the right arrow button to exit the chat room.

Private Messages:

If you wish to address someone outside of the general chat window, you can chat with them privately by double clicking (or single click > Private) their username in the list on the right side of the window. This can help eliminate chat room confusion and help the other chat room users stay on topic. *note: private chats are still recorded as part of the administrator’s chat history.

When you are finished with the private chat, you can close the window. Before rejoining the general chat, click on “All Users” at the top of the user list on the right side of the window. Otherwise, your post in the general window will say “says to _____” with the name of your private message friend in the blank. If you look at the double arrow in the upper left corner of the window, you will see who you are “talking to.” If it doesn’t say “All Users,” then click “All Users.”

Clicking on Freebie Links:

Most of the chats on the DD site are hosted by a designer or CT member that will provide a freebie for you to download. For most users, getting the freebie is simply a matter of clicking on the hyperlink in the chat window. Occasionally, this doesn’t work for someone. If you have trouble, try one of the following:

• Click the scroll button to stop the screen long enough to click on the link.
• Open the history to select the text of the hyperlink, type Cmd/Ctrl-C to copy it, click once in your browser’s address bar, and type Cmd/Ctrl-V to paste the url.

Note: Chat hosts will post links to the freebie occasionally throughout the chat. Please do not repeatedly request "freebie link please" as it can interfere with the host's presentation. Freebies will always be offered for anyone who missed them at the end of the chat hour.

Additional Info:

Click on the “Help” button at the top of the chat room window for more detailed information about using the chat room.

[Serenoa]

Cassie - Thankyou so much for this explanation. It will be a big help during the next Chat.