How to Chat
Chat Functions
Technical Questions

How to Chat

How can I participate in a post-gazette.com chat?

To participate in a post-gazette.com chat, simply click on the chat link, or enter the chat URL at the scheduled time. You can enter the chat room up to fifteen minutes before the chat is scheduled to begin.

How do I enter a post-gazette.com chat?

Once you click on the appropriate chat link, you will be asked to enter a screen name. The screen name that you choose will be the name by which you are known to everyone participating in the chat.

What should I use for my screen name?

It is entirely up to you what screen name you use; it can be real or fictional. You can use any combination of 5-20 characters for your chat screen name. You will be able to use a different screen name every time you chat on post-gazette.com

What if the screen name I want to use is already taken?

If there is a user already participating in the chat with the screen name you chose, you will receive a message stating that the screen name is already in use. Simply re-enter a different screen name to continue to the chat.
Tip: To help ensure that you are entering a unique screen name, try adding numbers or letters to the end. For example:

I forgot my screen name from my last post-gazette.com chat. How can I find out what it is?

You do not need to remember your screen name to chat on post-gazette.com. Each time you enter a chat, you must enter a screen name, and it does not have to be the same screen name each time.

How will I know when the next post-gazette.com chat will occur?

All post-gazette.com chats will be announced on the site. We will let you know the topic, date, and time.

What is a moderated chat?

A moderated chat is a question and answer session. You will submit a question to the moderator, and the moderator will review the questions as they are submitted. Then the moderator will select questions to for the speaker to answer. The speaker will try to answer as many questions as possible and post them to the room in this format:
[Your User Name]Your question here.
[Speaker]The comments to your question here.

Chat Functions

Can I make my chat window any larger?

Yes. To make the chat window bigger, click on the icon at the bottom that has four arrows pointing in. A new browser window will pop up; if you are using any software to block pop-ups, disable it before attempting to enlarge the window.

How can I ask a question or make a comment?

To participate in the chat discussion, simply type your question or comment into the “type here” field; submit your question or comment by clicking on “ask”.

How can I make my question or comment appear in bold?

Simply click on bold icon below the comment entry field. Please note that your entire question or comment will appear in bold; you cannot single out just one word or phrase.

How can I make my question or comment appear in italics?

Simply click on italic icon below the comment entry field. Please note that your entire question or comment will appear in italic; you cannot single out just one word or phrase.

How can I easily get to the Chat FAQ during the discussion?

To read the Chat FAQ during the discussion, click on the book icon below the comment entry field.

How can I log off the chat before it is scheduled to end?

To log off at any time during the chat, click on the red arrow icon below the comment entry field.

I logged off the chat. Can I log back on?

To log back on, click on the icon with the green arrows. You will have to re-enter your screen name to re-join the chat.

How do I copy the questions and or answers?

To copy text from the chat screen, click on the clipboard.

Technical Questions

How does the chat work?

The chat software is built on the Java platform and will work with any computer operating system. If you do not have Java you can download it for free by clicking here.

How can I find out if Java is installed on my computer?

Click here to test if your browser supports the Java software.

How can I install Java on my computer?

If you tested for the Java software and do not have it installed on your computer, you can download it for free by clicking here.

I clicked on the chat link, but I do not see a field to enter a screen name.

If the page is fully loaded and you do not see a field to enter a screen name, your browser is not supporting the Java software. Click here to download Java for free.

Why is it taking a long time for the chat page to load on my computer?

Pages will load at different speeds depending on your Internet connection. If you have broadband, it should only take a few seconds for the page to load (time length can vary do to Internet traffic). If you are using a dial-up connection, it is recommended you arrive to the site a few minutes early to allow the Java Runtime Environment to load in your browser so you do not miss the start of the chat.

My computer supports Java, but I am still experiencing technical difficulty.

To report any other technical problems, please click here.