CHATWEB FAQ


Table of Contents:

Why doesn't the return key submit my chat line?

The return key will submit your chat line if you are using the Small interface.

If you are using the Full interface, the return key doesn't submit your chat line because the chat interface consists of multiple text fields. The return key performs a submit only on forms with one text field. This is a function of your web browser.


How can I tell which messages are new?

You will see chat messages divided by two types of horizontal lines.

Messages are separated by the shaded (gray) lines. However, the unshaded (black) line marks the division between unread and read messages. All messages above the unshaded line are new.

Why doesn't my browser Auto-Refresh?

You need a browser which supports "Client Pull". Browsers such as Netscape (versions 1.1N and above) and the Microsoft Internet Explorer support this feature.

How do I avoid getting interrupted by a refresh while typing?

When it comes time for an Auto-Refresh, the page will get reloaded no matter what you are doing. This is annoying because everything you have typed on the chat line is lost.

If you suspect you can't type fast enough before the Auto-Refresh, click on the Stop Auto-Refresh link (this link is only available on the Full interface). You then have all the time you need to type. The Auto-Refreshing will continue as normal after you click the Chat/Refresh button.


Which HTML tags can I use in the chat line?

All but following HTML tags are disabled. Copy and paste the following example on the chat line: <B>bold</B> = Bold
<I>italic</I> = Italics
<BLINK>blink</BLINK> = Blink
<GREEN>green</FONT> = Green Text
<RED>red</FONT> = Red Text
<BLUE>blue</FONT> = Blue Text
<YELLOW>yellow</FONT> = Yellow Text
<PURPLE>purple</FONT> = Purple Text
<FONT SIZE=+1>big font</FONT> = Font Size+1
<FONT SIZE=+2>bigger font</FONT> = Font Size+2
<FONT SIZE=+3>biggest font</FONT> = Font Size+3

How do I display a link in the chat window?

"ChatWeb" is URL aware. It will recognize any URL typed on the chat line. This includes web, gopher, mail, powwow, and news URLs. URLs can be surrounded by quotes, spaces, or brackets without any side effects. Try copying and pasting the following examples on the chat line:
 The ChatWeb home page is at http://www.mikesweb.com/
  "mailto:admin@chatweb.net" will reach the ChatWeb support staff.
  The gopher site <gopher://gopher.wherever.net> is kind of small!
  The group news:alt.tv.duckman is good reading.
  Powwow somebody by typing: powwow:user@their.host.com

How do I show an image in the chat window?

See the Chat Clip-Art Page for example images to use in the chat window.

To have an image displayed in the chat window, type or paste the URL for the image in the Image URL field. When you click the Chat/Refresh button, the image will appear on the right side of the window. The chat text will flow around the image. It is much more efficient to give users a link to the same picture. This prevents unneccessary reloading of the same image. To do this, just put the URL for the image anywhere in the chat line.


How do I play a sound for someone?

You can't make a sound effect automatically play for a person, but you can provide them with a link to get to it. All you need to do is type or paste the URL of the sound sample anywhere in the chat line.

How do I show an in-line animation?

In-line animations are treated the same way as images. See How do I show an image in the chat window? above. As mentioned earlier, it is preferred to provide a link to the same animation. This prevents unneccessary reloading of the same animation.

Why do some lines show IP addresses instead of host names?

The host name of the machine you're using should appear after the date and time. Your IP address is shown if the address could not be resolved. This will happen if your machine lives behind a firewall.

Why can't I set the "Line Count" and "Auto-Refresh Delay" to what I want?

Chatalyst has minimum and maximum values built into the system. The "Line Count" must be between 5 and 50. The "Auto-Refresh Delay" must be between 30 and 999.

Who do I contact if I need help, or if I need to report an abusive chatter?

For HELP with using ChatWeb.net: help@chatweb.net
To report an abusive user: monitor@chatweb.net

These are the only valid e-mail addresses at ChatWeb.net to write to regarding ChatWeb.net