What topics would you like to see on a weekly chat night? We would like to utilize our chat room to discuss immediate and ongoing issues but we need your help! Please let us know what you would be interested in participating in. Barbara

What about topics about what's goin on in our cities. Like if were in cali, mayb something about some injustice goin on in cali, that we could help with.

How about the War? ....just kidding!

LOL, Valerie, I was just going to mention that (as a joke) before I read your post! ha ha!

Maybe one night can be scheduled for new legislation. This way, we can get information and assist in contacting represenativies to give a voice, for or not!

I don't know...I still like the 'girl's nite out' once in awhile, but I'll try to come up with some more originial ideas...it's Saturday and I'm not having a 'girls nite' out right now, so I'm not in the best of thinking modes:mad: LOL...J/K! Great discussion starter Barbara!

LOL oh Please, not about war.,,lol bss and I would be soooo busy kicking people,, i am only teasing guys,,lol


We do need some topics. We are planning to start ( hopfully) weekly chats. Please come up with some idea's. Thanks

much love

I have noticed on a couple of posts you mention being able to get into chat using IRC, could you tell me what IRC servers an network you are using please hon?
I seem to be failing miserably on the chat direct from here, java or otherwise, but have a fairly sound knowledge of IRC ;)
maybe I can work it to joing you all through that!:D
Regards

Sue

May I suggest a variety of topic approaches? I used to host in SpiritForum, and from experience found that people like both structured and unstructured chat but not a simultaneous mix.

Unstructured:
A scheduled time for whatever (sort of stream of consciousness) is a good thing.

Structured:
A technique for getting that unstructured chat pumped up is to precede it with a structured (hosted) chat where the host introduces a Topic-a-Minute -- very invigorating as people scramble to concisely put in their 2 cents before the topic changes.
More in-depth coverage could usefully cover 4 areas:
1. a chat clinic for those wanting IRC help / tutorial, and practice -- good once every week or 2 at a fixed date/time for new folks
2. region-specific topic hours to get together people with loved ones in the same system -- good precursor to a regional face-to-face get-together
3. topic-specific hours as you are fishing for on things like
- new legislation (already suggested)
- certain health and sanitation issues (like the Wipe-out campaigns finished in FL, underway in TX, like Hep C, etc.)
- certain how-to info like prep for visitation, parole, phone-bill issues etc.
4. certain hours maybe not advertised as such but habitual when folks good at counselling (like Lulu and Barb) volunteer to be present but it is understood they are generally there for 1-to-1 "problems", not really for unstructured chat.

I would also like to suggest chat "resource-book" webpages -- these can really help. A discussion board is not the best format for these. I would be happy to work with Mrs.Lulu to make webpages to her specs for this. Content would be 2 types:
1. Technical: instructions with screen images showing how to get into and use IRC software or even the javachat effectively.
2. Topical: condensed topic database for chat hosts / leaders.

May I help?

sodaigakko :o)

Thank you John, I think that is wonderful

Oh, one more thing, I myself is having problems getting into chat today. Bare with me please