Mozilla 1.0 on Windows, Macintosh or Unix/Linux
Macintosh users:
PlanetOut Chat will only work with Internet Explorer 5.1 or higher. Chat will not work with
older versions of Internet Explorer. Netscape users can use PlanetOut Chat, but will not have
access to all features.
How do I get JAVA or upgrade the version I am currently using?
Java and JavaScript must both be enabled in your Web browser to use PlanetOut Chat. Instructions
for enabling Java and JavaScript are below.
If you are using a PC/Windows machine, click here
to get JAVA 1.3.1.
The Windows XP operating system does not come with Java preinstalled. Download the required Java software for Windows
XP directly from the Sun Java Web site:
http://java.sun.com/getjava/install.html The Sun
site contains links and instructions for both Internet Explorer and Netscape.
If you are using a Macintosh computer, click here to get Mac OS Runtime for Java (MRJ) 2.2.5
Please make sure to shut down and restart your computer after you download Java.
How is PlanetOut Chat related to iChat?
PlanetOut's Chat works with a Java-based client that starts automatically when
you enter a chat room. You cannot use the iChat plugin or ActiveX control with
PlanetOut Chat. However, because PlanetOut Chat uses an iChat server, you are
able to use iChat's "slash" commands in a PlanetOut Chat room.
Can I use PlanetOut Chat from my America Online account?
Yes, you can chat on PlanetOut while using America Online. Please keep in mind that, as an AOL user,
your AOL sign-on name will override your PlanetOut member name. If you do not want your AOL sign-on
name to appear, you will need to minimize your AOL window and use an Internet Explorer or Netscape browser.
Can I use PlanetOut if I'm logging in from behind a firewall?
You should be able to use PlanetOut Chat if you are behind a firewall. PlanetOut Chat
is not a security risk to your corporate network. Please ask your system
administrator if you are uncertain about your own company's policy. However, some firewalls
may restrict access to the web.
Can I use the iChat plugin with PlanetOut Chat?
PlanetOut Chat uses a special Java applet that strarts each time you enter a
chat room. It's not possible to use the iChat plugin or ActiveX control with
PlanetOut Chat at this time.
Do I have to join PlanetOut in order to chat?
You are welcome to chat as a guest if you'd like. If you chat regularly, we recommend you
join PlanetOut. As a member, you can chat under your member name and
you can create a member profile that other chatters can see.
How do I connect to PlanetOut Chat using an IRC client?
PlanetOut is working to make PlanetOut Chat accessible to users to users with IRC clients.
Currently, a bug in the iChat server prevents us from allowing users with IRC clients to
use PlanetOut's Java-based chat. We're actively working with iChat to find a resolution
for this problem.
GETTING FAMILIAR WITH PLANETOUT CHAT
How do I get to the chat area of PlanetOut?
No matter where you are within PlanetOut, you can click the chat icon
in the lower left hand of the screen and it will take you to our main chat area.
This area lists all of PlanetOut's chats.
How do I send a message to everybody in the chat room?
To send a message to everyone in the chat room, type your message into the blank area at the bottom
your chatting window (on the command line) and hit return or enter. This will send your message to
everyone participating in the conversation.
How do I send a private message to just one person?
To send a private message, click the "Private Message" button on the chat
tool bar at the bottom of the chat screen. This will pop-up a window
that lets you enter the member name and your private message.
How do I see what other chat rooms are available?
You can find a list of other available chat rooms by clicking the "List
Rooms" button on the chat tool bar at the bottom of the chat screen. This
will pop-up a list of available rooms. To enter a room, click on the room's
name.
How do I create my own chat room?
To create your own chat room, click the "Create Room" button on the tool
bar at the bottom of the chat screen You'll see a window that will allow
you to create a new chat room. You can make the room public so that
any users may join it, or you can make it private and privately invite
people to join you.
How do I find out more about the people with whom I'm chatting?
Click on a person's
member name to see a profile. Member names are listed to the right of the chat window and
on the screen that pops up when you click "Who's Chatting" on the tool bar.
Once you've clicked on a member name, a screen will appear and allow you to see the information
that the user provided.
How do I change my personal information and chat preferences?
To change your chat profile, click on the "Edit Profile" button at the
bottom of the chat window. You can also edit your preferences by clicking
on the "Member Preferences" text in the bottom left of any PlanetOut screen.
TROUBLESHOOTING CHAT PROBLEMS
I previously installed Global Chat on my computer. Can I use
PlanetOut's new Java-based chat if I have Global Chat intalled?
As long as your web browser supports Java and JavaScript,
you should be able to enter a PlanetOut Chat room without a problem.
How can I prevent someone from sending me annoying messages?
You can ignore a
user by typing /Ignore, followed by the user's name into the blank area at the bottom
your chatting window (on the command line) and hit return or enter.
When I log into PlanetOut Chat, I keep getting a blank space where the chat window should be. What's wrong?
There are several potential reasons that this happens:
- If you're in Netscape, go to the Options menu and select "Network
Preferences". Then select the "Languages" tab and place a check-mark in the
box next to "Enable Javascript". This may the problem.
- If you chose not to install Java when you intalled your web browser, you
won't be able to chat. You'll need to resintall your web browser with Java
selected in the installation program.
I keep getting JavaScript errors when I try to use PlanetOut Chat. What should I do?
Some people have gotten "Out of memory" errors when starting chat.
This is due to a bug in JavaScript. We are working on a fix for this problem.
In the meantime, clicking "okay" will remove the error message and you'll
be able to chat normally.
If you receive a different message, or if clicking "okay" doesn't solve the problem,
please send us feedback with the exact text of the
message that you saw. We'll do our best to help you solve the problem, but our
ability to do so may be constrained by the aforementioned bug in Netscape and
Internet Explorer.
I click on a Chat room and the Chat box shrinks or disappears.
If you are a Macintosh user, please visit the Sun Web site, which includes links for Macintosh users to obtain Java software: http://java.sun.com/getjava/install.html. If you have trouble chatting while using OSX, you may need to switch to classic mode in order to chat. If you are already using classic mode and cannot chat, please download Mac OS Runtime for Java (MRJ 2.2.5): http://developer.apple.com/java/classic.html
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