Java Required

To access the chat room, you will need a web browser with Java. You can download Java for free.

Logging In

To login to the chat room, simply click on the Username field and enter the name that you'd like to use within the chat room. Click the Login button to enter the chat room. You do not need to use a password.

The Input Field

Use the input field to enter and send messages to the chat room. After typing a message press Enter, or click the Send button to send the message to other users.

You may also right-click your mouse in the text input field for additional features. The Emoticons and Audicons submenu allow you to quickly select an emoticon. The Markup window allows you to customize your message by inserting BBCode or HTML code.

Content (Chat) Display Region

The main chat display region is where messages appear have been sent to the chat room. All users in the room will see the same messages.

You may copy and paste content from the display by selecting the text with your mouse. Right click anywhere in the display region to view a menu allowing you to copy text, clear the display, set font size & style, and much more. Explanations for items whose functions aren't apparent are provided below:

• Ignore IM's: Ignore all incoming instant messages
• Font Face & Size: Here you may set the font style and size used in the main display. Other users will not see the setting you have chosen.
• Show Markup: Enable or disable special markup, including text colors, HTML markup, and BBCode.
• Show Time: When selected, every public message will indicate the time it was received.
• Audio: Enable or disable sounds from being played.
• Popup Notify: Popup a small window indicating when someone has entered a new message.

User Status Setting

Your chat room may allow you to change your status to Away and back to Online while you are logged in. When you need to step away from your computer for a short period, or if you are consumed with an instant-message session, you may wish to change your status to Away.

The User List

The User List provides a list of all users logged into the chat system, including a list of all available chat rooms.

You may double click on a room name to enter that room. Some rooms may prompt you for a password before continuing. Double click on a username to open up an instant message (one to one private message) with that user.

The Toolbar

	Turn on/off Bold text in your input field. Usually bold is indicated by [b] and [/b] BBCode commands.
	Turn on/off Italic text in your input field. Usually italics are indicated by [i] and [/i] BBCode commands.
	Turn on/off Underlined text in your input field. Usually underlining is indicated by [u] and [/u] BBCode commands.
	Increase font size.
	Decrease font size.
	Clear screen.
	Enable/disable timestamps next to messages.
	Float the chat room in a separate popup window.
	Come to this help page.
	Logoff.

Instant Messaging

To send an instant (private) message to another user, you may use the /msg command, or simply double click on another user's name in the user list.

By double-clicking on another user's name, a new window will apppear allowing you to have a one-on-one conversation with that user. To send a message, simply type your message in the input field and click the Send button.

Technical Support

For further help, consult AddOn Chat's Support Center. First, try using the interactive troubleshooter. If that does not help solve your problem, consult the searchable knowledge base or support forums. If you still have not solved your problem then, use the ticket system for reporting problems.

If you have additional questions about the technical requirements for ONS chats, please contact ONS Technical Support (techsupport@ons.org, 866-257-4ONS, option 3).

ONS Technical Support is available Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM–5:00 PM Eastern Time. Inquiries received during these hours will be addressed within 4 business hours.