The first step is to locate a chat room that interests us. Once we access the website, we will usually be required to register by providing some personal information. We can use our real name or create some imaginary identity in case we want to maintain privacy. We can also select some image to represent us.

Once inside, we are amidst an ongoing conversation. Hence we should have patience to sit and comprehend what is the discussion about. Then we can start interacting. Once we feel confident enough to participate in the discussion, we can type message in the blank box at the bottom of our screen and click the Talk button or hit the Enter or Return key on our keyboard. Soon your message will be posted in the chat room and people may respond.

To minimize the amount of typing, people often use emoticons and abbreviations. We can initiate private conversations by clicking on the name of a participant.

While chats can offer an engaging experience, we should proceed with caution. We have to keep our common sense because all your postings are public. Even if it appears that there is only one other person in a room, others can be lurking. So giving out personal information to strangers we meet online--certainly not our address, phone number or credit card account.