DSF live chat
Sometimes you may have a problem that you’d like more immediate help with than posting it in the forum and waiting for a reply… or perhaps you’d just like to have a chat in real time with fellow members of the forum, so we have set up a live chat room. Please note that the chat room is usually very quiet during the day, but you will normally find someone to talk to from 7 pm onwards.
Your First Visit to the Chatroom
There is no real protocol in the chatroom, except civility. When you enter for the first time, it is usual to say hi. If there happens to be a conversation in progress, understand that it might take a minute to welcome you. Since many of us are in the room regularly, you will probably find that we talk about lots of things other than diabetes. But your diabetes related questions are always welcome, and will take priority over other chat.
Hope to see you all in chat and get to know you better!
How to join chat
There are several ways to join in live internet relay chat (IRC) with other DSF members.
If you’d like a quick way into chat, just click here
Then enter your preferred nickname into the box and click on the “Connect” button.
You may have an IRC program (also called a ‘client’) that enables you to join chat. Or you can download one.
IRC programs
One of the most popular for Windows users is now Icechat which can be downloaded here and is free of charge. For instructions on how to configure it with screenshots, click here
Mac users could try Ircle (www.ircle.com)
Alternatively, Mac and Windows users of the Firefox browser can download an add-on IRC client called Chatzilla (chatzilla.hacksrus.com).
Whatever client you use, and even if you use the Java appelet you will need to register your nickname
Registering your Nick
To register your nick, so no one else can use it, you must first be using that nick. First, use the /nick command to change to the nick you want. Then, enter the following into your Status Window:
/msg Nickserv REGISTER [password] [e-mail]
Select a password you can remember. Case matters. Your e-mail address is only used to send you a confirmation e-mail, giving you a command to enter when connected to verify your registration. This is a once-only thing. A network computer called Nickserv keeps track of everything to do with nicks. It will use your IP address to verify that you are really you. To teach it your usual IP address, enter the following into your Status Window:
/msg Nickserv ACCESS ADD
This tells Nickserv to add your current IP address to its list of YOUR addresses. This is its first level of verification that you are you. You can have multiple IP addresses in the Nickserv database. When you login, if you are using a different IP address, it will not recognize your login as valid, and will ask you to IDENTIFY yourself with your password. Enter the following into your Status Window:
/msg Nickserv IDENTIFY password
Remember, you only need to register once, and your nick will be yours as long as you login at least once every 30 days.
Chat Rules
This chatroom exists for the discussion of diabetes. While it is common for other discussions to take place, diabetes discussions will always take priority.
Behaviour of participants is important to us. We want to create an atmosphere that is informative, comfortable, and fun. Therefore, we ask that behaviour of participants be similar to that exhibited in polite society.
1 ) Conversation may be on almost any topic, but discussions about aspects of diabetes will always take priority over other chat
2 ) Do not post any sort of abuse, flames, personal attacks or responses to any such messages: If you find a post abusive, please inform the moderators, listed at the top of the users list.
3 ) Discriminatory language, attitudes, and practices, such as racism, sexism, homophobia, etc., will not be tolerated. These may result in an immediate ban with no warning. Bear in mind that humour may be misinterpreted literally.
4 ) Profanity is not allowed, especially when we have children in the room. Bear in mind that with international time differences, there is always a chance that there are children in the room, so use restraint.
5 ) Please refrain from controversial topics such as politics, religion, etc.
6 ) Respect the right of the other party to decline Private Messages.
7 ) Flooding, in the form of repeated lines, channel or individual pings, notices, advertising etc., will not be allowed.
8 ) Long-term lurking without participation is frowned upon, except with permission. At least make your introductions and say hi on arrival
9 ) Unwanted sexual innuendo or harassment is not allowed.
#Diabetes-Support Channel Administration
The names preceded with an @ or a gold star at the top of the users list are channel operators. They have been selected to moderate and control the channel. They are also available to help with IRC questions. For those who cannot play nicely with others, they have the power to kick or ban those who are disruptive to the smooth operation of #Diabetes-Support. This authority is not used arbitrarily.
There is no absolute right to free speech here. You are here at the discretion of administration, which has the absolute right to remove individuals without discussion or explanation
Questions with regard to the administration of the chatroom should be addressed to admin@diabetes-support.org.uk . Please report problems, harassment or unwelcome PMs to any channel operator.
