sometimes I miss chat

[grasswire]

Do you remember the first time you saw real-time chat on your monitor?

My first experience with chat was on AOL so many many years ago. The first chat room I entered was the ACLU's Free Speech Zone. I never frequented another chat after that. This was the only place on AOL where there was no speech code. It was frequented by smart people -- of all political stripes -- and it was SO MUCH FUN! It was kind of like the Cheers bar; even the crazies were our crazies and we knew too much about each other.

I learned an awful lot there -- not ALL of it was four letter words.

One of my old pals in that chat is a popular regular here in the lounge. (You know who you are!)

Anyone else have great chat experiences in the early days of the Internets?

[PeaceNikki]

1. Yeah, still close friends with a few old chat buddies from 1997/98.

:)

[grasswire]

3. I've often thought that someone should have compiled research...

...to write a book about the history of chat as a social phenomenon. If I had thought about it early enough, I would have. I do have some logs of some sessions. I hope someone, somewhere has saved stuff. The real-time reaction to world events are historical and should be archived.

[PeaceNikki]

5. Hmm. Interesting. I hadn't thought about it.

I was chatting on AOL the night of the 2000 election. I so VERY vividly remember when they called FL for Gore... and then the "questioning". :(

It was definitely a unique experience. It's really funny you brought this up. A few months ago I logged into my AIM account that I hadn't used in about 7 years. It was bittersweet to run through the "buddylist" and remember some very good times and very good friends. One was very nostalgic for me and I posted on Missing Connections of Craigslist in his town. He contacted me no less than 48 hours later! We hadn't talked in about 6 years and have picked up where we left off.

[Pierre.Suave]

2. You know, anyone can create a chat room in AOL IM...

and invite anyone they want, people can even invite themselves, jsut let us/them know what your room is called.

[grasswire]

4. yes, I know

But the old gang is gone....ya know?

[Oeditpus Rex]

6. One of 'em got married three weeks ago

One Mr. Whale.

I still e-mail with Ms. Phus quite often (the inventor of the Chat Pouch), and I managed to drag two people here from 'Ccino, though one of 'em hasn't been around much for awhile.



*tink*

[grasswire]

8. say what?

married?

welp.

[Oeditpus Rex]

9. Check your PMs

[CaliforniaPeggy]

7. My dear grasswire...

Back in the spring/summer of 2005, I used to participate with DU folk in AOL chatrooms...

Someone would announce that they had set it up, and I'd go in...

It was amazing!

I loved it, even though it was difficult to talk, since there were so many people there...

8 to 12 was not uncommon...

It was a magical time, indeed!