So, you've been reading TIME for 10 years. Or you've just decided it's time to learn to cook. Maybe you're a parent or a farmer or an X-Files fan. Chat is a great way to meet, befriend, rant with, argue with or romance those who share your interests -- and those who don't. It all happens live in real time. Drop by the Cafe to talk about any old thing, and visit the other chat rooms to speak your mind 24 hours a day. You'll see what's going on and where on the Chat Calendar of special events. Here are easy-to-follow instructions on how to use Pathfinder Chat. Please take a minute to read the rules before you begin. We look forward to chatting with you!

Remember: To use Pathfinder Chat, you must be a registered Pathfinder member. Registration is free, and if you have not already registered, please do so by going to our membership information page and clicking the link that says Become a Member.

1. How to Chat To chat on Pathfinder, you must have chat software loaded on your computer. If you do not have chat software on your machine, we invite you to download the iChat plugin free of charge. It's easy to set up and use -- just follow the instructions below. If you have the iChat client installed with Netscape Navigator 2.0 (or later) or Internet Explorer 3.0 (or later), you can enter chat rooms, attend events and interact with other iChat users in real time while browsing the Pathfinder Network.

   Note: You must have a Javascript-enabled browser to use iChat on Pathfinder. Not sure if you've got Javascript enabled? For Netscape 2.0 or later, click on the Options menu in your browser. Choose Network Preferences, then lick on the Languages tab. Make sure there's an X in the "Enable Javascript" box -- if there isn't, click on it, and then click on OK. For Internet Explorer 3.0 or later, click on View, then Options, then Advanced -- and click on "Enable Javascript."

   And if you're using any browser that supports Java or HTML, you can chat without downloading any plugins at all! We recommend the Java client for anyone whose browser is Java-enabled. See below, Preparing to Use the iChat Java Client, for more details.

   If you already have IRC (Internet Relay Chat) software on your machine, you can participate in Pathfinder Chat, but not in the full iChat experience. For information on connecting to Pathfinder's chat server using an IRC client, please see below, Connecting to Pathfinder Chat using an IRC client.

   Please note: If you are currently have Global Chat installed on your machine and would like to install the iChat client, we strongly recommend that you first delete all Global Chat files from your computer. For more information and troubleshooting tips, please see the Frequently Asked Questions.

2. Download and Install iChat Before you begin, please bookmark or print this page for later reference -- you'll need to come back here after you've downloaded the software. (Downloading is simply the copying of files from the Internet onto your computer's hard drive.) To download the iChat client, go to iChat's download site and follow the instructions there. DOWNLOAD iChat NOW. After you download and install iChat on your hard drive, iChat will automatically open itself whenever you enter a Pathfinder Chat Room. It's that easy!

   Note: If you have trouble installing the iChat plugin, we recommend the ichat Java client. You can use the Java client without downloading any software.

3. Preparing to Enter a Chat Room Once you've installed the software, you're ready to enter a chat room. You can enter Pathfinder Chat by clicking on one of the Chat On/Off buttonsfound on the Chat Calendar and throughout the Pathfinder Network. (Remember, you'll need to be using a Javascript-enabled browser to enter chat.)

   After you've clicked on the On/Off button or on one of the chat rooms' names, you'll be asked to log in with your Pathfinder member name, so be sure you've already registered as a Pathfinder member -- it's easy, and free! When you try to enter Pathfinder's chat server, you will be prompted to log in with your Pathfinder member name, or, if you haven't got one, to join Pathfinder. For more information on Pathfinder membership, see our Member Information.

   Once you're registered and/or logged in with your Pathfinder member name, you'll be taken to the Chat Preferences page and asked to tell us a little about the way you'd like to use iChat. We'll need to know:

   1. Which client you'd like to use. We recommend that you select either the plugin (for full functionality) or the Java client (to use iChat without downloading anything). The HTML client is less reliable, but is the best option if you're trying to use Pathfinder Chat from behind a firewall.

   2. If you'd like to use your own IRC client instead of iChat. If you choose this option, we'll assume you already have a favorite IRC client that you intend to use. You'll need to choose and enter a password to use an IRC client; otherwise, you won't be able to access our chat server. This password can be the same as or different from your Pathfinder member name password; whatever you choose, be sure you remember it!

   3. Whether you'd like other users to be able to know your email address. This is optional.

   You'll also be invited to enter a few optional facts about yourself so that your fellow chatters can get to know you.

   Once you've finished entering your preferences, click on Enter Chat! But before you do so, we encourage you to read the Chat Rules, to which you indicate agreement each time you use Pathfinder Chat.

4. Preparing to Use iChat with the Java Client If you don't want to download the iChat plugin, and if you're using a Java-enabled browser, you can use iChat anyway. Enter Pathfinder Chat by clicking on one of the Chat On/Off buttons found throughout the Pathfinder Network. After you've clicked on the On/Off button or on one of the chat rooms' names, you'll be asked to log in with your Pathfinder member name, so be sure you've already registered as a Pathfinder member -- it's easy, and free! When you try to enter Pathfinder's chat server, you will be prompted to log in with your Pathfinder member name, or, if you haven't got one, to join Pathfinder. For more information on Pathfinder membership, see our Member Information.

   Once you're registered and/or logged in with your Pathfinder member name, you'll be taken to the Chat Preferences page. Here, select the option to use the Java client. Once you've finished entering your preferences, you'll be asked to agree to the Chat Rules and to enter Chat!

   (Not sure if you've got Java enabled? For Netscape 2.0 or later, click on the Options menu in your browser. Choose Network Preferences, then lick on the Languages tab. Make sure there's an X in the "Enable Java" box -- if there isn't, click on it, and then click on OK. For Internet Explorer 3.0 or later, click on View, then Options, then Advanced -- and click on "Enable Java.")

5. Using iChat When you enter a chat room, you'll find yourself in the middle of an ongoing conversation. You'll also see a new browser window, which contains the iChat Remote Control. While in the chat room, you can:
   • Observe the ongoing conversation
   • Chat with everyone in the room
   • Show other chatters how you're feeling by double-clicking on an action in the Emotions window
   • Have a private conversation
   • Find out more about other chatters
   • Lead or follow other users around
   • View your favorite URLs
   • Attend a moderated chat (see Chat Events).

6. The iChat Navigational Bar The iChat plugin's navigational bar contains all the basic commands you'll need to navigate Pathfinder Chat. The Java and HTML iChat clients also use a navigational bar, but do not include all of the functions listed here.
   • Main Menu Button -- When you click on the Main Menu Button, you'll see a drop-down menu of several iChat commands. Included in the Main Menu Button are:
     1. Commands Menu -- allows you to see who's on line, disconnect from iChat, create a private room or submit a question (which is enabled only during a moderated chat).
        
     2. Navigate Menu -- allows you to open a URL, view the chat site map, find another user in chat ordisplay the list of exits for your current chat room.
        
     3. Users Menu -- allows you to send private messages to other users, see the profile of another user, start following another user or ignore messages from other users.
        
     4. Emotions Menu -- allows you to customize and the actions and emotions which appear in your chat window.
        
     5. Buddies Menu -- permits you to add and remove other users from your buddy list.

7. Open URL Button -- When you click on the Open URL Button, a dialog box opens for you to type a URL. The site you specify will appear in the browser frame of your screen, while the chat window remains the same. By using this button, you can navigate to your favorite web sites while staying in chat.

8. Send Private Message Button -- When you click on the Send Private Message Button, you'll see a dialog box in which you can enter your message to a specific user. This message will not be seen by other chatters.

9. Ask Button -- This button will be active only during a moderated chat event. When you click on this button, a dialog box appears in which you can submit a question to the moderator of the chat.

10. Site Map Button -- When you click on the Site Map Button, you'll be able to view all of the different chat rooms available on Pathfinder's iChat server.

11. Question Mark Button -- This button opens a third browser window containing iChat's Client Guide, which answers many questions about using the iChat client.

Changing Your iChat Preferences If you've used Pathfinder Chat with iChat before and you'd like to switch to the plugin or the Java, HTML, or IRC client, you'll need to tell us about your client change on the Chat Preferences page.

To find out more about Pathfinder Chat, explore:

• Chat Conduct
• Chat Events
• Frequently Asked Questions
• iChat's web site

Chat Conduct
Chat Events
Frequently Asked Questions

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For additional help,
email Customer Service at
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