CHAT BOARDS
    First things first: to take part in the discussion , you must register.  When you sign up as a message Boards user, the user name you choose becomes the handle associated with your posts--an your password assures that no one else can use that user name.
    Remember your name and password, because you'll need to have them handy when you post to the board. There's been chatting on the Internet since Unix users were able to page each other using the talk command.  Unlike e-mail, chatting takes pace "live" in what Internet folks call real time, meaning both people participate at the same time.
   The original talk protocol only provided for one-one  conversations.  It was followed by a chat protocol that permitted many people to converse with each other at once.
YOUR FIRST CHAT ROOM
    Remember that when you enter a chat room, a conversation is probably already in progress. You don't know what went on before you arrived.
    Wait a minute or two to see a page full of exchanges so you can understand some of the context before you start writing.
    Start by following the comments of a single screen name.  Then follow the people that person mentions or who reply  to that person.
    After you can follow one thread, try picking up another.  It takes practice to get the hang of it.
    Scroll up to see older messages if you have to, and remember that after you have scrolled up, no new messages appear until you scroll back down.