This is perhaps the largest area of problems for some chatters, and it should really not be much of an issue. Chatting is a public activity. The internet is after all open and accessable to many people of all ages. It therefore makes some sence, that the one conduct their self as would be expected in a proper public forum. There is no way to know if rather young chatters are in the room someone is in. Surely few will disagree that it is there are items that should not be said in front of the very young. It should also be pointed out that freedom of expression is a right, but freedom to not be exposed to items you wish not to see, that offend people should also be considered part of that right. Few would have a problem for someone to say whatever they wish in a room full of persons who are of simular mind and outlook. However exposing or indeed forcing others to observe such is indeed as unfair as someone taking away the right of speach as well. So it should be somewhat of an agreement to observe levels of behavour that would insure that if young or others who do become offended by the use of some words or ideas, should be avoided in public openly accessable rooms. It is indeed sad for all concerned if we cannot agree on such a basic principal such as this when in a public room.

A few things to avoid when chatting besides the use of profain language in public rooms, would be things such as using all caps to type into the room in text chat. It is about viewed on the same level as a loud drunk spouting off when done. Repeated posting of short lines, or lines of text that are of no sence is also a rude and often seen even in chat. The results are generally not those one would wish as most tend to ignore or otherwise dismiss someone when this is done. Some rooms macro files are used and clog slower connections, which also is rather rude to those who do not have the fastest of connections in the room and causes their screens to basicly jam with incoming data or images. Another often seen problem is the over use of Personal Message boxes. I perfer to be asked in most cases before someone personal messages me. It is really a much more pleasent way to start a conversation. Also those whos first words are "a/s/l ??" are often very unwelcomed by those of us who are there to converse. So if you are new, consider asking in most cases before opening a Personal Message box, and observe the room before starting to message everyone with the a/s/l questions. I do not have a big problem with sharing such information myself, but I do take some offense at someone asking it before all else. The plain fact is, with a bit of observation, and a bit of thinking, it is often pretty easy to figure out two of the three answers to that question anyway. The use of super large font sizes and very light font colors is also a problem many seem seem to have. The fact is, 12 point font is the normal font size used in most cases as a default setting. Some even use 10 point which is even smaller. The use of super sized fonts is really kind of a rude bullish thing to do. Either that or you are showing you feel what you say is of more importance than everyone else in a room. The screen fills up rather quickly with oversized fonts, and as such you push the rest of what is being said off the screen. Most monitors in use will display very readable text with a 12 point setting. The color selected for use is also something to consider. Given the fact most use a white or off white screen color, the use of a very light font color, reguardless if it is very light blue, yellow, green, or whatever is hard for most to read. So if you wish to be read best by most in the room, a middle of the road color generally works the best. A few other things to to consider is the choice of how many colors to display. While the fade or multi colors are fun to use, the use of many of these colors in a line of text will limit the amount you can say per send to the room. Generally one color text of a standard font type, in a standard size will give you the ability to send up to 4 lines of text into the room per sending (transmission) into the room. The more colors picked, the less you are likely to send at a time.

Sending of files without asking first is very, very offensive to do. I personally do not accept files from people who I do not know or have just met. There are just too many possible problems about such to go into really, but for starters, no one knows if you are sending an infected file or trying to do something else that is just as bad or worse by doing so.

This is a great page for new comers about some of the basic behaviour and terms when chatting.

Return to Cheetastuff menu page.

Close this browser window.