Task 2: Chat

Chatting is a great way to stay in touch and I've been using it for as long as I can remember. For me it started in the days of Ultima Online, (I was about 12 when I played - pre WoW and Ventrilo) and the means of effective communication was ICQ. It seems to have come a long way since those days however, with greetings, "Zlango" (pic talk), and ICQ2Go, but I can't help hold its still primitive look and feel.

I have previously used Yahoo Messenger but have never touched it since (for personal choices), but regularly use MSN messenger and Google Talk. Google Talk has it's highs and lows. It works in your email (or your Google Desktop if your computer can handle it), and so doesn't require you to download another program, but on the other hand, if you're using it through your email, then you have to have your email open during your chat, which is ok but it can be just one more annoying window open when you don't want it.
MSN messenger on the other hand works as a software program (requires downloading), but allows you to access your email from this tool. Both these programs have their benefits. I like MSN. I use it the most because most people I know use it, and that's what usually determines which dominant messenger is used today (how many people do you know who use it). And for me that MSN and Google Chat.
I should also point out that Google chat is also good because it quite frequently bypasses office firewall filters. This is what started my use of it because when offices would block all other messengers (outside designated hours), people could use their email to continue chatting (naughty but effective). Meebo also does a similar thing as it does not require downloading, but allows people access to their chat tools through a website. But back to topic.

I met with my peers in the WebCT chat rooms and we had a few difficulties. One was disconnections. Another was the Javascripts. It was an interesting experiences - but not quite as fluid and smooth as the WebCT almost seemed to be a beta version. It was nice to chat to other students in the class. We talked about chat programs and preferences, but being one of the first online I was also the first to leave after suffering from disconnections (perhaps because I was using a faulty internet connection). I think I'll stick to MSN and Google, but I will try my hand at IRC (just for the fun of it ;) )