Post by therealcu2010 on Jul 8, 2011 15:20:10 GMT -5
We've had several new members enter the chatroom lately, which is absolutely great! It's nice to have new people enter! However...the chat software we are using is quite wonky, and it can be a pain to actually get in to the chatroom, so I've created this handy guide for first-time users to guide people into the chatroom, and to explain some of its features.
Entering the Chatroom
When you enter the chatroom for the first time, you should see something like this:
If you are entering for the first time, the software automatically assigns you a default guest profile (as shown by the weird username and the green pawn). You will need to change the username on your chat profile to match with your forum username (please make it the same as or similar in form to your forum name). To do this, click on your name in the list.
The chat may refresh itself and assign you a new "default" profile the first time you try to do this. Keep clicking on it until you get this screen:
From there, you can enter your username into the box, select one of the default avatars (when you click on one, it'll give you several others to choose from as well...if you don't find one you like right away, you can keep trying until you find one), and click on "OK".
However, in order to be able to use the chatroom, you will need to be made a "member" (denoted by the blue pawn). If one of the moderators or admins (denoted by the white and orange pawns, respectively) don't recognize you right away, send one of them a private chat message asking to be let in. This can be done by clicking on their username in the list and selecting "Private Chat".
Once you have done that, a new tab will open up in the chat window. This will enable you to ask a staff member for access to the chat.
Once approved, you will be made into a member, and you will then be able to participate!
If you see this, you're officially a member of the chat group! Welcome aboard!
Chat Features
The chat system has many features, several are which are used on a regular basis. I will explain two of the most-used ones- the Doodle board, and the Youtube player.
Doodle
The Doodle board allows members to collaboratively draw a picture in the chatroom. This feature is often used for games, such as word puzzles, scoreboards, and whatnot. To access the Doodle board, simply click on the "doodle" button on the left-hand side of your screen. The Doodle board will then pop up to the left of the chat window.
From there, you'll be able to draw on the board. You can change the size of the pen, along with the color. The trash can erases everything on the board. Please read the guidelines for the use of the Doodle board during game nights.
Video Player
During chat nights, it is common for all members to watch a YouTube video together. The chat system has a player built-in, so members can watch videos within the chatroom. To access the player, simply click on the "player" button on the left of your screen.
When someone posts a link to a video, it will appear as a thumbnail on the bottom of the player. When you click on the thumbnail, the video will play. During chat sessions, a staff member will "broadcast" the video to the entire chatroom, which allows all members to watch and comment on it together. When you click on a YouTube link in chat, it will automatically open the player.
Leaving Chat
When you are ready to leave chat for the night, simply close the browser tab/window it is in. This will automatically log you out. The next time you log in, your profile will still be available, and you will be able to enter (unless your Flash cookies get wiped, in which you'll have to repeat the above process).
I hope this guide is helpful and educational. If there are any further questions, feel free to ask. I hope to see many of you in the chat in the near future- we're there every day of the week (except Tuesday)!
Entering the Chatroom
When you enter the chatroom for the first time, you should see something like this:
If you are entering for the first time, the software automatically assigns you a default guest profile (as shown by the weird username and the green pawn). You will need to change the username on your chat profile to match with your forum username (please make it the same as or similar in form to your forum name). To do this, click on your name in the list.
The chat may refresh itself and assign you a new "default" profile the first time you try to do this. Keep clicking on it until you get this screen:
From there, you can enter your username into the box, select one of the default avatars (when you click on one, it'll give you several others to choose from as well...if you don't find one you like right away, you can keep trying until you find one), and click on "OK".
However, in order to be able to use the chatroom, you will need to be made a "member" (denoted by the blue pawn). If one of the moderators or admins (denoted by the white and orange pawns, respectively) don't recognize you right away, send one of them a private chat message asking to be let in. This can be done by clicking on their username in the list and selecting "Private Chat".
Once you have done that, a new tab will open up in the chat window. This will enable you to ask a staff member for access to the chat.
Once approved, you will be made into a member, and you will then be able to participate!
If you see this, you're officially a member of the chat group! Welcome aboard!
Chat Features
The chat system has many features, several are which are used on a regular basis. I will explain two of the most-used ones- the Doodle board, and the Youtube player.
Doodle
The Doodle board allows members to collaboratively draw a picture in the chatroom. This feature is often used for games, such as word puzzles, scoreboards, and whatnot. To access the Doodle board, simply click on the "doodle" button on the left-hand side of your screen. The Doodle board will then pop up to the left of the chat window.
From there, you'll be able to draw on the board. You can change the size of the pen, along with the color. The trash can erases everything on the board. Please read the guidelines for the use of the Doodle board during game nights.
Video Player
During chat nights, it is common for all members to watch a YouTube video together. The chat system has a player built-in, so members can watch videos within the chatroom. To access the player, simply click on the "player" button on the left of your screen.
When someone posts a link to a video, it will appear as a thumbnail on the bottom of the player. When you click on the thumbnail, the video will play. During chat sessions, a staff member will "broadcast" the video to the entire chatroom, which allows all members to watch and comment on it together. When you click on a YouTube link in chat, it will automatically open the player.
Leaving Chat
When you are ready to leave chat for the night, simply close the browser tab/window it is in. This will automatically log you out. The next time you log in, your profile will still be available, and you will be able to enter (unless your Flash cookies get wiped, in which you'll have to repeat the above process).
I hope this guide is helpful and educational. If there are any further questions, feel free to ask. I hope to see many of you in the chat in the near future- we're there every day of the week (except Tuesday)!
It's good to be back home... 
