MommyChats' Instructions for Moderated Chats

Please read and make sure you understand the following instructions before participating in a moderated chat on Mommy Chats. It is imperative that everyone follow these instructions to help the large moderated chats to run as smoothly as possible.

NOTE: On Mommy Chats there are also casual chats and scheduled chats that will not follow the same instructions, as they are small enough to not need them. These instructions are specifically for the Mothering Sponsored Chats and any other chats that are specified as "moderated".

• Please make sure you understand all of these instructions before participating in a moderated chat on Mommy Chats.

• The first thing you will need to do, once you go to the chat page is register a screenname/password. Do this by clicking on the "register" button. YOU NEED POPUPS ENABLED FOR THIS TO WORK.

• After registering, you can sign in...you may choose the room you wish to join either at the first drop-down box (click the arrow on the left of the box) or just join the main room by default (Mommy's Lounge) and choose a new room to enter from there (same drop down box in all rooms). NOTE: There is a room called "The Practice Room" that is specifically for practicing using the chatware, and is recommended for your first stop if this is your first time in this chat room.

• Once you're logged in, you will see:

The Main Display Region--white--where the chat content is read, in the middle of the page.

The Input Field--light pink--the long box at the bottom of the main display region--for typing what you want to say in the chat.

The User List--blue--to the right of the main display region--where you will see who is currently logged into Mommy Chats...bold pink are admin/mods, black (the same color as you) are people in your current room, and light blue are people chatting in a different room).

• To participate in the chat room, you will type in the input field, the light pink box at the bottom of the main display region. NOTE: If you are unsure of what room you are in, simply look at the drop-down room list which is directly under the user list at right...It will show the name of the room you are currently in.

• The room that scheduled chats will be in is announced in the email reminders sent out through the Mommy Chats' egroup. Please join the egroup here to receive these notices. Mothering Sponsored chats have their own room that is only visible 15min before and after the scheduled chats. Once the Mothering_Mag room has been created it will be seen in the drop-down room box and can be joined. NOTE: You cannot see this room from the login screen...first you have to log in to the Mommy Lounge, then once you are in, you will see the Mothering room in the drop-down, if its time for the chat. If you can't get in using the drop-down menu, just copy/paste this into the input field:     /join Mothering_Mag   and then hit enter. PM a moderator in pink if you have any problems by double clicking their name in the user list.

• Once the chat moderator has announced the beginning of a moderated chat, please keep all side conversations to private messages (PM)...To do this, double click on the person's name in the user list to the right of the main display region (main display region is where your messages appear, the user list is to the right of that in blue). Do NOT click on the person's name IN the main display region, as that only pastes their name into the main display region...this feature is useful to identify who you are speaking to during casual chat, or if it's your turn during a moderated chat...but it clutters the main display region when used improperly.

• If you have a question for the guest speaker, simply type a single "?" and the moderator assigned to keep track of the list, will write your name down and let you know when it's your turn to ask a question. ONCE THE MODERATED CHAT HAS OFFICIALLY BEGUN, PLEASE DO NOT TYPE IN THE MAIN DISPLAY REGION (other than a single "?" to get in line to be added to the qeue) UNLESS ITS YOUR TURN TO ASK A QUESTION. Reminders will be given and those that do not follow these rules will be given one private warning. Anyone that continues to ignore the rules will be kicked from the chat. If there is a topic specified for a chat, it is important that any questions asked of the guest speaker are related to that topic.

• Anyone that is rude and/or disrespectful during a chat will be given one warning. If they continue their disrespect, they will banned from MommyChats for one month. Each situation will be handled on a case-by-case basis as to what constitutes disrespectfulness and rudeness. When in doubt, BE KIND.

• If you have any questions about the chat itself, please PM a moderator, one of the people in blue on the top of the user list, with your question by double clicking their name in the user list at the right. PLEASE DO NOT PM THE GUEST SPEAKER UNLESS SPECIFICALLY TOLD TO...we want the speakers to be freed to just answer questions and not be bombarded by PMs.

• Reminders will be posted throughout the chat to help keep things running smoothly...please make sure to heed the moderator's requests and be respectful and kind to one another. Anyone causing problems will be kicked from the chat, possibly banned (depending on the situation).

• About 15min before the end of the scheduled chat, the moderators will give a notice to wrap things up...and for the Mothering Chats specifically, the Mothering room will need to be cleared within 15min of the end of the chat so that it can be closed. You are free to join a different room and continue chatting casually.

• Any questions about these rules, please email me.