September 2000
If you're interested in checking out chat rooms, you'll want to learn some of the jargon and follow these helpful tips.
The list of acronyms that chatters use is extensive, but here are some of the most common:
Chat rooms have their own rules of etiquette to be mindful of:
Check out the atmosphere of a new chat room before jumping into the conversation. If the atmosphere is not right for you, leave and check out other rooms that suit you better.
Be respectful. If someone sends a rude message, be smart and ignore them.
Conduct yourself as if everything you say is being recorded. Chat rooms are not anonymous or private.
Address your posts (the lines of type used to communicate) to specific people, not just the general chat room. Undirected posts may be ignored.
Reply to any posts directed to you in a courteous manner.
Ask questions. It's a great way to start conversations.
Don't post in capital letters, except for occasional emphasis. Capital letters denote shouting.
Ignore people who become hostile.
Chats are public, so remember these security tips:
Don't give out personal information such as your address or phone number.
If another chatter asks you to type something, don't do it unless you know what it means.
www.chatroom.org
Seasoned chatters frequently use devices such as acronyms and emoticons in their messages to make chat lines shorter and to keep the conversation moving quickly.
• AFK
Away from keyboard
• BBS
Be back soon
• LOL
Laughing out loud
• PM
Private message
•
QSL
Reply
•
A/S/L?
Age/sex/location?
•
BTW
By
the way
•
C&G
Chuckle
& grin
• F2F
Face to face
• PMFJI
Pardon me for jumping in
• ROFL
Rolling on the floor laughing
