So now you know all sorts of things about the Internet.

But you're probably wondering, wouldn't it be nice to talk back and forth with someone without having to continuously send e-mails? Online conversations in which you are immediately able to send messages back and forth to one another is called chat.

A chat is Real-time communication between two ore more users via computer. Once a chat has been initiated, either user can enter text by typing on the keyboard and the entered text will appear on the other user's monitor.

Most networks and online services offer a chat feature http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/c/chat.html such as instant messengers, Internet Relay Chat or talkers.

The expression online chat comes from the word chat which means "informal conversation". The following are common chat programs and protocols:

• AOL Instant Messenger (AIM)
• Google Talk
• Internet Relay Chat (IRC)
• Skype
• Windows Live Messenger
• Yahoo! Messenger