Chat

Chat allows users to converse with each other interactively in text mode via the computer keyboard. This interactivity distinguishes chat from other Internet messaging services such as news groups and electronic mail, which only allow messages to be posted for access at a later time. Anything the user types during a chat session will be seen by all the other participants on the particular channel over which they are connected. These participants can respond immediately with comments of their own.

Via the Internet, private chat sessions can be set up between mobile professionals to hash out a customer problem, plan a sales presentation, or collaborate on a project. Of course, mobile professionals can also take part in public chat sessions on topics of personal interest, or set up a chat session to stay in touch with family and friends.

There are several chat environments. The most common is a facility known as Internet Relay Chat (IRC). The main IRC network often has tens of thousands of users online at any given time. The sessions are conducted through special servers and are organized around themes or topics. The sessions can be public or private, scheduled or ongoing, and moderated or unmoderated.

There are chat programs that...