As an addition to the forums, RIBnet now has live chat for real time on-line discussions. Log in now at
www.rib.net/chat
What's the difference between the RIBnet forums and RIBnet live chat?
In the RIBnet forums, messages are permanently stored and can be read at the users' convenience. Replies can be made at any time, and keeping messages together in threads makes ongoing discussions easy to follow. This means that users don't need to be online at the same time to take part.
Live chat is different as each message is sent to all participants as it is entered, which gives some of the feel of live in-person chatting. Live chat is more spontaneous and informal, more like a face to face conversation. It happens in real time, and only involves the people who are "there" at the time. Although individuals may keep logs of their chats there is no central, publicly accessible archive.
How do I use RIBnet live chat?
RIBnet live chat uses the standard Internet Relay Chat (IRC) system. You can either install a standalone IRC program (known as a client) or use a web based program (normally written in the Java programming language). Compared to email this is equivalent to either using an email program such as Outlook Express, or a web based service like Hotmail.
There is loads of information in the web about IRC and how it works --
www.irchelp.org has a comprehensive collection of information and help files, as well as links to various IRC clients.
A couple of popular Windows IRC clients are
mIRC and
IceChat, or you can quickly join RIBnet live chat using
RIBnet web chat.
UPDATED DETAILS
If you are familiar with IRC, then all you'll need are these details:
Server: irc.rib.net
Channel: #ribnet
The RIBnet live chat page at
www.rib.net/chat has these details, plus access to RIBnet web chat and details of recent activity.
When is the best time to chat?
You will normally find a few people on-line whatever time you log in, although they may be "idling" or away doing other things. If you have a permanent internet connection (broadband or office network) you can stay connected for as long as you want, and see who else joins. So far it has been busiest in the evenings between 8pm and midnight.
What do I do if I need help?
Either ask for help using live chat (if you can!), or post a message here, and someone will sort it out for you. Our resident IRC gurus are Alex Brown (aka axle) and BenC.
Have fun
John
