I've never participated in a Chat room before so I have some questions as to how it works. Is it really as simple as just clicking on "J pouch Chat?" I've heard referrence to the Thursday night chats, are there any other times people are out there regularly? When you log in I assume you can see who else is out there if anyone? Any tips on how to chat would be appreciated. I know I'm completely technologically challenged!

Yep - it's really easy. Just go on over to Chat, scroll down to the bottom, type in whatever name you'd like (Olive Oil would be good because people can recognize you) and click 'connect.' Once you're in the room you'll see the names of everyone else in the room (or the 'users'). If you'd like, click on 'Settings' and you can personalize (or dress) yourself. You can change your login name, you can pick an icon for yourself, chose font size, sounds, and other stuff. You can take a 'trial run' by going there in the morning and wander around to become familiar with things. There's usually no one there in the mornings. However, there are usually people there every evening/night around 9pm eastern time - not just on Thursday. Since Thursday is a scheduled chat, there are usually more people in the chat room on that night. So I'd suggest you go some other night when there are fewer people and chat isn't flying by at break-neck speed while you're trying to read and respond to things. Of course, you can just sit back and read what's going on. Chat is in real time so when you type something and hit enter everyone is reading what you've posted - and responding. It's a great place to go. Even if you think you're technically challenged, you'll catch on within seconds. Honest. Now go over for a trial run. BTW - you'll meet some really great regulars there (hahaha - I said 'regualar' to a j-poucher!). They'll help you out if you need it.

kathy

Thanks Kathy, I may have to try it tonight when people are actually in the room and see how I do. You are always so kind and sweet in all your responses to everyone here; I appreciate your help

is it ok to just watch the chat? i logged on once when there was an interloper. i am a horrible typist, and the 'bad guy' had a name that was similar to mine, and people kept asking him to identify himself. well, i thought they were asking me, and couldn't even begin to keep up! i can't believe the breakneck speed of the conversation! i would feel much more comfortable just watching, to wait for a slow moment to chime in, if no one would mind. can i get away with that, or is that kind of rude? i had to laugh at myself when i ran screaming at my last pathetic attempt, but you wouldn't believe how slow i am!
ellen
(this took me 10 minutes )

Yes, It's OK to watch. Please say hello when you are addressed and say you are a member and just wish to observe.
Bill

Under my personal zone when I edit my profile, do I need to specify my user name, "Olive Oil" in the IM section to be able to use the Chat appropriately? Or will Olive Oil automatically pop up when I join in for a chat?
I hope that was clear, Thanks.

You have to specify a user name - it won't pop up automatically. Okay, I just reread what you typed and I'm not sure if I answered your question or not....

Ellen - there are quite a few people who pop into chat, say hello, and then just watch the action. If you go in on a Thursday, there will be more people there so it goes faster because everyone is posting at the same time.

kathy

In Digichat, you choose a name everytime you login. I suggest using your discussion name.
We have a backup chat room which is used when Digichat is down. Your discussion name comes up automatically in that room.
Bill

Thanks Bill, that helps. Hopefully I'll be able to join the chat room soon.

Hi,
I've tried going into the chat room (j-pouch chat) several times, but I never seem to be there at the same time as anyone else . Maybe it's the time difference between Norway and the US. Now it's 18:41, so the difference will show up when I post this message.

Soph, are you accessing the chat room via the "Go" tab or the link at the top of the page? The one in the "Go" tab is only an emergency chat room for when our regular chat is down and you will rarely see anyone in there.

If you log on to the link at the top of the page between 8 and 9 pm (European time) you'll probably bump into me, Gill (Welsh Witch) or one or two afternoon surfers from the other side of the Pond.

The only time I really get to chat with the other regular members from the US etc. is when I get insomnia, which is around 3 am our time.

Hope to see you in there soon

Shell

I've gone in through the chat room link on the right hand side of the first page of this site, under Discussion. It says digichat, then I have to wait for a bit for the nickname box to appear, I type soph and "connect", the I get onto a page where it says I've entered the room, but I never seem to be there at the same time as anyone else as no other names appear as being in the room. I usually try at about 8-10 pm European time. I'll have to keep trying!

Hi Soph,

I'll log into chat at 8:00 pm BST if you want to try again tonight. I have to admit that there usually isn't as much traffic from our side of the Pond so it can be quiet for long periods.

Hopefully we'll meet up later.

Shell

Oh Shell, I didn't see this till now - it's 23:15 Norway time
Maybe I'll have to wait till I'm sleepless and up in the middle of the night when there's more action!

Well you are an hour ahead of me so I usually log on at around 9pm your time most nights just to see if anyone's around so just pop in and perhaps we will catch each other.

Shell