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Since there are some people who are new to the World Wide Web I will present a brief primer. With most Internet utilities (such as Telnet and FTP)the host computer is in continuous contact with the remote computer. This means that the connection is in use even if data are not being transmitted. On the web, however, the remote computer sends the information to the host computer in the form of a "page" and the link is then disconnected. This frees the link for use by others while you read the page. Of course this means that when you request another page that contact must be re-established, a process that can take over a minute if there are many people trying to access the site. (Please note that this connect/disconnect cycle applies to the host computers only. Your connection to your host is continuous.) How, then, do WWW chat pages (usually mislabeled rooms) work? The chat page scrolls and displays the latest messages (exact number varies). When you initially connect with the page a copy of the active messages is sent to you and the link terminated. In essence you now have a "picture" of the page. In order to read any subsequent messages you have to take another "picture" (usually referred to as "reloading"). So if you post a message you must reload to see any replies to it. On most systems this is done by clicking on Send Chat. (Older systems may have a separate "Update" button.) Of course, whenever you post a message an updated "picture" with your message as the latest is automatically transferred to you. Tips to improve the reload speed. 1. The faster the modem, the quicker the data transfer (a minimum speed of 14.4K bps is recommended) 2. Graphics involve much greater amounts of data than text, so you can increase the reload speed by turning the graphics capability OFF. 3. Increase the size of your browser's cache (minimum size is 512K). Auto Reload Most chat pages today will have an auto reload feature that is enabled by setting the number of seconds delay between reloads (0-300 with 0 = off). I recommend starting about 60 seconds. If you are engaged in a conversation, I would recommend not using the auto reload feature because each time it activates anything in the text box is wiped out. (NOTE: Auto reload does not work with all browsers.) Connecting to the Parkinson's Disease Forum chat. The following URL is for the main entrance to the Mind's Eye Forums (a subdivision of Gaia 1 Station): http://www.telepath.com/gaia1/mindseye/forums.html There will be a drop-down menu with the Forum names on it. Select "ParkinsonsDisease" and click on Enter Forum. You will now be at the entrance to the forum where you will be met by the (ro)bot(but)ler. Type in your name and click on Enter Chat. I will try to be in the forum from 9-10 PM Eastern Time every day, but anyone can enter it at any time. Bruce 54/8 Sinemet CR and Pramipexole * Middle-age crisis? Not me...I'm too busy enjoying my second childhood! *