Chat

Clicking the "Chat" button at the bottom of the Second Life viewer opens a small white bar just above into which you can type what you want to say to those around you. Once you press enter your words will be displayed on your screen and on those of all in range of you. If you need to say something to someone further away but in eye sight you can use the "Shout" button at the end of the chat text bar. Shouting is generally not appreciated in most Second Life areas so use it only when you need to. If you want to use key shortcuts, like "M" for mouselook, you will need to press the "Chat" button again to make the chat bar disappear. Otherwise the viewer will just assume you want to say "M"!

Instant Messaging

An instant Message or IM is a way to speak privately to one person or a group of people. There are several ways to start an IM. For people you can see near you:

• Right click on a person's name hovering above their head and click "IM",

For someone on your Friends List who is too far away to see:

• Click on the "Communicate" button. This will bring up a list of people you have added as friends. Click on the name of the friend and then Click "Instant Message" to open an IM,

You can also use 'Shift' and left click to select several friends and start a group IM. To IM someone you don't know and need to contact:

• Search for the person's name using Search, then click on their name in the results and click "Instant Message" on their profile,

You should only contact someone you don't know this way for a good reason, think how you would feel if random strangers searched your name and IMed you all the time!