AllegroChat™, The AllegroServe Chat Program

The AllegroChat window has either three or four frames. The large upper frame contains the messages. The messages are listed from most recent to least recent (which is the opposite of normal reading order). This is done so that you don't have to use the scroll bar to see the most recent messages.

When you initially enter the chat there are two frames below the message frame. At this point you are not logged in. However, you still can enter a name in the text box to the right of Your Name and begin posting messages. It's better to login before posting since this makes more features of the chat program available to you.

To log in, click on the Login link to the left of the Send button. If you haven't logged in before then choose a handle (e.g. your name) and a password (enter the pasword a second time to verify your choice).

Once logged in, you'll see three frames at the bottom of the window. The leftmost frame shows other people who are monitoring this chat. If the person monitoring the chat is not logged in you'll see their IP address or machine name. If the person is logged in you'll see their name (followed by their machine name if that can be computed). After each name and in parentheses is the number of seconds since they've updated the list of messages. If you see this number increase then it means that the person has likely left the chat.

The lower right frame allows you to select the number of seconds between automatic refreshes of the upper chat window. It also allows you to set the number of messages displayed. Once you change a field you must click on "Update Messages" to register the change. Also , any time you want to see the current set of messages without waiting for the next auto-refresh, you can click on "Update Messages". If you leave the Seconds field blank then this will turn off auto-refresh. This is useful if you've come into the chat late and want to read over all old messages without being bothered by the refresh.

The lower middle frame is where you enter your messages. First put your name in the box at the top. Then enter your message in the large box. If you type Return it will show up a new line when the message is displayed. After you've typed your message you click on "Post Message" to send the message to the server. When your message has been sent, the large text block will clear. You will not see your message appear in the chat window on top until the window is refreshed, or until you click on Update Messages.

If you are entering data in the large text window you can post it without using the mouse by typing "<tab><return>" (at least this works on Netscape and IE).

You can post pictures by typing a url to a .jpg or .gif file .... e.g., http://mymachine.foo.com/mypicture.jpg The image will be displayed in the chat in the chat window.

You can post a link by entering a url, e.g. http://www.franz.com . The result will be an active link in the chat that when clicked will open a new window on the link.

While you are logged in, you can send private messages to other logged in people. In order to send a private message, click on the recipient's name in the lower left window. The lower middle window will turn red and the caption above the text entry box will display the recipient's name. The message you send will only be seen by you and the person to whom the message is sent. In order to leave private message mode and send messages to everyone, click on the Send to All link in the lower left window.

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