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Table of Contents » Facilities, Functionalities and Terminology » Text Chat
Facilities, Functionalities and Terminology
Text Chat
Text chat is the ability to exchange with one or multiple persons live text messages in a linear sequence. Most text chat tools will provide for an automatic "labeling" of who is writing the message, plus options to format the text of each message and to send "private" messages to selected participants or to the moderator. Other useful and commonly found features in well designed text chat facilities is the ability to select and copy text from a chat window, the ability to save and print the transcript of a chat session as well an auto-URL detection capability which allows URLs or email addresses typed into any message to become effective hyperlinks that can be immediately clicked by event participants.
• Text formatting
Text formatting in the chat window is a critical feature. The provision of tools and commands to easily format text in the text chat window greatly facilitates the ability of participants to express themselves and to differentiate their messages from others. Formatting of text also provides for greater expressivity in communicating enriching the quality of the exchange taking place.
• Can copy text from chat window
The ability to select and copy (Ctrl-C) text from the chat window for pasting into another application.
• Save text from chat
The ability to save a full text transcript of the text chat session.
• Auto-URL detection
Facility which allows automatic recognition of Web URLs being typed and their accurate and automatic conversion into clickable hyperlinks.
• Private messages
The ability to send text chat messages directly and privately to selected participants.
• Instant messaging
Instant messaging is a popular communication technology which allows interest groups or working teams to see when others are online and to "instant message" them with a text message that is extremely easy and immediate to send. Integrated with a Web conferencing tool, instant messaging allows working teams to easily signal each other when to meet online rather than having to go through email invitations. In some situations instant messaging can also be used to provide the text chat ability to a Web conferencing tool without further encumbering the main interface.
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Facilities