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One popular type of chat is known as Web chat. These are chat rooms that work through a Web-based interface, usually with
buttons and frames and forms for logging in. They may also be located on a Web page, but use a JavaScript interface for a
real-time effect (messages appears as they are typed in).
There is also IRC, or Internet Relay Chat, which requires that you download an IRC client (such as mIRC or pIRCh) to connect
to an IRC server. Once you're connected, you can join thousands of different channels (rooms) and participate in real-time
chatting.
ICQ and AOL Messenger are IRC-like chat programs which also allow other functions such as sending e-mail and exchanging
files. They work through a software program which you download and install on your computer. The program runs in the background
while you are online with functions that are available on your desktop.
There are dozens of other means of chatting on the Internet, but no matter how you chat, keep in mind that the Internet
is largely anonymous. A friendly stranger in a chat room is still a stranger and not an ideal person for you to trust with
your phone number or other personal information. However, if you keep personal information private and use common sense,
chatting is mostly a safe and addictive way to pass time.
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