Chat –the new way of remaining in touch with people anywhere on the globe. The only requirement is that the one you want to be in touch with should also be online that time. There are many types of online chat available. In some cases you need to know the email id’s of the one before you want to chat with them and in some cases you can chat with anyone who is present in your chat room that time. Examples of the above two chat techniques are Gtalk and Yahoo respectively.

These days instant messaging has outdated chat rooms like IRC i.e. Internet Relay Chat which was one of the kind of chat centre which only allowed texts. With the advent in technology GUI i.e. Graphic User Interface based chat rooms have evolved which enables user with many advanced facilities such as even changing the environment of the chat room. Graphics can also be added to online chat using visual chat rooms. Some more advanced chat rooms also allow user to use audio as well as video communication techniques.

The main utility of chat rooms is to share text with another user. Nowadays we can also exchange files such as music, documents etc. If a user uses a web cam, nearly all chat programs give the facilities of sending one’s own image which is also one of the most striking features of online chat rooms. Games can also be played while using online chat. Hunt the Wumpus is a classic example.

Online chat gained stature with the advent of IRC or Internet Relay Chat. IRC is a platform where different users can chat simultaneously. There are many forums called channels which are mainly created for communication between users of the same group. It can also be used for one on one online chat and may also assist in data transfers. Jarkko Oikarinen was the brain behind IRC. He created this online chat in 1988 o challenge the existing MUT or Multi User Talk. IRC gained popularity during the media blackout in Russia in 1991. IRC intentionally is made in such a way that it can work on any operating system.

IRC makes use of TCP and TLS. IRC server expands itself by connecting to other IRC servers. IRC can be accessed by users by attaching a client to server. There are many kind of client server implementation. Some of them even don’t need users to log in before they use it, but a nickname is must before a user starts online chat.

IRC has a unique feature. It is modes. These modes are represented by case-sensitive letters usually single. Channel modes and User modes are different and they can use the same letter for different things. They can be set and unset. This can be done using mode commands. Line-based structure is the total base of IRC. The client sends single line messages to the server in which the user is working and he receives reply to those messages. The command changes the format on which IRC works-either client or server.

Online chatting is gaining popularity day by day and surely has become the most important tool for social networking. Till now, it has shown a rapid growth but only the time will tell what it has in store for us.

Online chatting has opened a way for us to meet other people online and converse with them on our thoughts, hobbies and beliefs. But we have to follow the etiquette of the chat rooms while chatting with other people online.

First of all, choose a proper nickname for the usage in a chat room. Selecting an inappropriate or rude name will cause others to avoid you. So, choose a name which describes you the best to the others. You can simply use your initials or your first name or hobbies etc.

Now, selecting a user name is not enough. You have to know proper greetings to start the conversation. The most pleasant greeting is “Good Morning” or “Hi everyone” and if this does not catches anyone’s attention then initiate your conversation by asking a question to a particular member.

Usually, that person will respond to your question thereby initiating your chat. Many times, it happens that someone enters the chat room for abusing others. Your instinct will tell you to reply in the same way but try to stop yourself from doing so. Either ignore that person block their texts by using chat software.

Moreover, you must not ask personal questions like sex, age or marital status unless you both feel comfortable in sharing such information. Also welcome the new comers in the online chatting world and offer advice or opinions if asked. Finally, treat the persons you are chatting with in the same manner you want them to treat you.

Online chat rooms are worthy, safe and moderate place for making good friends. The people with whom you are chatting are polite and respect you which make you feel pleasant and elated. You can make many friends and can form online communities.

Online chatting is a potent tool and will help you to find people with whom you can share your experiences and who can support you with their friendship, sharing humor, and insight.

These chat rooms are managed and controlled very well. Thus, many people find free online chat to be very much engaging and resourceful. Moreover, visual technologies like video and flash chatting has entirely changed the level of chatting.

With this technology, you can not only chat with your friends through words but you can also see them online which will enable you to see, how your friend looks, behaves and talks. In this way you and your friend can know each other in a better way.

Besides, options are there to add images with the text and change the font and color of the words. You can also add emotions to your text which will convey your feelings and mood to your online friends. These options along with the online chatting have made the chat rooms more interesting.

Chat rooms also help you in finding your dream partner with whom you can chat for hours. It is a convenient way as you can find your spouse according to your wishes. Just you have to be careful while selecting a life partner.

Online chat rooms can help you a lot if you are trying to make new friends and if till now you are single then the chat rooms can also find you a good date. Create a chat room online account and enter into the online chatting world where you can make new friends and find a pal who can share your compatibility and views. This will keep you sitting for long hours in front of your computer and enjoy talks with your friends.

Free online chat rooms allow you to make friends from every corner of the world and that too very easily. At the same time, these chat rooms are very safe for chatting because your identity is kept secret by them.

So, you can connect to anyone and chat with them and that too with a concealed identity. When you enter into a chat room, you will be amazed to share the ideas bubbling inside you with the people who have same interests as yours. Many times online chat can prove to be helpful because you can come across people who will share their experiences with you and guide you which will be a great advantage for you.

Moreover, there is no discrimination based on age, gender, sex, country, color, or religion in online chatting. Everybody looks for good friends with whom they can chat and share their feelings. Many times, it has been seen that online chatting has also proved to be valuable in finding friends for lifelong.