Online Chat Links
One of the most interactive uses of the Internet (and some say the most addictive) comes in the form of online chat. This allows an Internet user to download some special software, or point their browser at a specific URL, and go into virtual "rooms" filled with other people who (presumably) have the same interests as they do. A word of caution, however: One of the Internet's biggest strengths, as well as one of its largest drawbacks, is the fact that people can assume any personality they wish. Young people with good ideas can achieve Internet fame without being written off as young and impetuous, or adults can behave like small children, and be treated as such. On the Internet, you are who you say you are. For this reason, be careful of divulging personal information in a chat room, as you never know what kind of person is on the other end. Here at QCOL, we'd like to keep you as a customer, not lose you to a foolish and easily preventable mistake in who you choose to trust. Also, if you choose to participate in online chat, please be a good citizen, as complaints directed against you as a result of IRC behavior, if substantiated, could result in account termination.

IRC
The most common form of chatting done on the Internet is done over a medium known as IRC, or Internet Relay Chat. Here's a primer: IRC generally requires special software that allows you to connect to a given network of servers, and chat with anyone connected to that same network. Of course, the vast number of people on IRC at any given time makes it necessary to split them into manageable groups somehow, and for this purpose "channels" were born. Channels, sometimes called "rooms," are areas with strange names such as #lobby or #linux. You can point your software to these channels, and join others talking about a certain topic of interest to you. But first you'll need a client. Here are some links to recommended IRC clients for common operating systems:

	For Windows, there's mIRC, easily the most commonly used client on the Internet, or for a friendlier look, you may choose Microsoft Chat.
	If you're using a Macintosh, you may want to check out Ircle.
	BeOS users will want to download Felix.

Web-Based Chat
For those who are uncomfortable or just don't want to bother installing a dedicated IRC client, there are web sites that provide online chat facilities, with text or graphical interfaces. The only ones we'll link here are those that use Java, a (reasonably) cross-platform programming language used primarily on the web. The older, CGI-based chat pages are truly outclassed by Java's capacity for real-time interactivity.

	ConferenceRoom Chat - This is a web site offering several different channels (accessible from the bar at the top), and a very cleanly designed interface to chat.
	Earthweb Chat - One of the nicer chat interfaces available, allowing you to ignore users who are being harassing with a single click. Nice feature. :)