internet chat
There are a number of chat channels on the Internet. In these you can talk, via the keyboard, to whoever else is using the channel at the same time. Some people say its like using CB radio.
The system uses a special protocol called IRC (Internet Relay Chat). It can get a bit complicated (which is why I don't use it much). Basically you connect to a channel, announce your presence and put in your 20 cents worth. Sort of like a cocktail party of shut-ins.
One of the interesting features of IRC is the evolution of cute little ways of adding more meaning to the typed word by using either abbreviations:
| BBL | Be back later | IMHO | In my humble opinion |
| BFN | Bye for now | IYSWIM | If you see what I mean |
| BRB | Be right back | IOW | In other words |
| BTW | By the way | LOL | Laughing out loud |
| FB | Furrowed brow | OIC | Oh I see |
| GAL | Get a life | ROTFL | Rolling on the floor laughing |
| GRD | Grinning, running and ducking | RTM | read the manual |
| HTH | Hope this helps | SOL | Sooner or later |
| IMO | In my opinion | SYL | See you later |
| TTYL | Talk to you later |
or by using emoticons (easier to show than describe):
| :-) | Smiling | X-) | I see nothing |
| :-D | Laughing | :-x | I'll say nothing |
| :-o | Shock | :-L~~ | Drooling |
| :´-) | Crying | :-P | Sticking out tongue |
| ;-) | Winking | 0 :-) | Angel |
| {} | Hugging | }:-> | Devil |
| :* | Kissing | $-) | Greedy |
| @--`--,---- | A rose | ||