From M/Cyclopedia of New Media
Introduction
- Internet Relay Chat (Chat) is the closest form of online interaction to face-to-face. This is an example of synchronous communication where the messages are effectively transferred in ‘real time’. As this type of social interaction is similar to ‘real time’ face-to-face, the issue of text and misconstruing messages is extremely topical. To rectify this, users have created their own ‘language’ by way of abbreviations (text) and emoticons (pictures).
Features Important to Social Interaction
- Closer to reality – The popularity of chat is easiest to define because it is the closest users can get to actually talking in real time. For those users who seek online relationships (either friendship or more intimate) this form of communication acts the best substitute for a face-to-face conversation.
- Use of Acronyms/language – The austere nature of the communication medium (with its lack of visual cues) can often make it difficult for users to convey the correct message. Often, the writing of a sentence can be taken many ways. From this difficulty in clearly expressing one’s intentions, users developed a ‘language’ that allowed them to express under what context statements were being (Whittle, 1998). Below is an example of such abbreviations.
| ACRONYM | MEANING
|
| BTW | By the way
|
| FYI | For your information
|
| IMHO | In my humble opinion
|
| LOL | Laugh out loud
|
As well as using text indicator’s chat programs also contain various emoticons which are little picture symbols that can allow users to see in which context their communication is taking place.
| EMOTICON | MEANING
|
| : ) | Smiley, happy
|
| : ( | Unhappy, sad
|
| ; ) | Winking, sarcastic
|
| : D | Laughing, very happy
|
- Public and private - Chat is an online interaction medium that can, in effect, be regulated by the user i.e. a user can choose to enter a chat room or to hold personal conversations with only select people. For those inexperienced users who enter chat rooms, it can be difficult to become accustomed to the rapid pace of conversations, at times when there is more than one conversation thread alive at once. For the experienced user, it is perhaps the ultimate in online interaction as it provides opportunities to connect with any number of diverse people and cultures at their convenience (Chayko, 2002). The option to talk to a select few, allows a deeper method of interaction between users (Whittle, 1998). They are afforded the freedom of real time chat in a virtually private environment.
- Chat through VRML – This form of interaction is a combination of Virtual Reality spaces and ordinary chat. Although in many cases still in its developmental stage, VRML (the command set used to describe 3D navigable chat spaces) is perhaps the closest online interaction to face-to-face communication (Herd, 1997). The computer-generated scene allows users to chose identity and appearance as well as navigate their way through the virtual world while chatting with fellow users.
Concerns
- More so than other interactive mediums online, the use of chat is associated with many dangers. It’s elusive and anonymous nature can allow for predators and deceptive conduct, particularly with reference to children.
Bibliography
- Chayko, M. (2002). Connecting: How we form social bonds and communities in the Internet age, New York: State University of New York Press. ISBN 0791454339
- Herd, J (1997) Face to Face Online. Macworld vol 14 (1) : 146-151.
- Whittle, D (1998) Cyberspace: The Human Dimsension, New York: W H Freeman & Co. ISBN 0716783118
Related Wiki Links
Online Social Interaction - Email
Online Social Interaction - Forums, Message Boards & Newsgroups
Online Social Interaction - The Virtual Community
Online Social Interaction - Behavioural Effect of Frequent Usage
Youth Culture and New Technologies - MSN Messenger
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Elizabetta Sorbello 19:23, 28 Oct 2004 (EST)
