AboutVena McGrath Expertise As the author of a novel about my life online in chat rooms specifically, and a few adventures into online dating, I can answer almost any question anyone could ask about chatting online. The excitement, the adrenalin rush, the manipulation of the mind, the corruption of morals, the danger of stalking and harrassment online and offline, the lies, the secrets. The reality of this `fantasy` is frightening. My book tells a story that hopefully will make anyone who reads it more wary and chatwise than I was when I stumbled upon chat in late 1999 as a naive woman who didn`t have a clue what a chat room on the internet was. I have spent many hours online counselling men and women with broken hearts, wounded pride, and yes, very real fear. My passion is to try to help eradicate the not so good factors out of chat rooms and make them once again fun places where people feel safe.
Experience My experience commenced in June 1999 in international chat rooms and then a move in late September 1999 to chat rooms in Australia. I am still online, have my own chat room, and my first novel titled 'Secrets, Lies & Chat' was published by American-Book Publishing in 2005 and is now available from my website www.secretslieschat.net.au for a very competitive price. I have also released on my website an eBook which is a revised version of Secrets, Lies & Chat and only costs $4.95 5o download in either word or pdf format.
Organizations I belong to many writing organisations online and I belong to the chat room community of BigPond.
Publications Communique - a monthly newspaper produced by the NSW Government Department of Commerce
SMH ICON liftout 'The Net Effect' April 2004
Numerous articles in PoynterOnline
Numerous letters to the editor, SMH
My profile and short stories and articles are all online at AuthorsDen.com and some are posted on my website.
Education/Credentials High School Educated
TAFE Secretarial
Numerous OH&S certificates
Numerous Computer related courses
Question Do you know whether anyone can participate on the chat rooms on aol? Do you have to register with them? I do have aol instant messager. I couldn't find the info.
Thanks in advance.
Answer Hi Sallie
I don't use AOL so don't know anything about it. I did however find this information online about the chat rooms.
As you already have AOL instant messenger you have registered. I would assume you just go to the chat section of AOL messenger and click on the link and follow the prompts, selecting what room you wish to chat in.
"We encourage you to be responsible and to respect our community as well as others participating within the community. Your conduct should be guided by common sense, basic "netiquette", and these chat guidelines.
We discourage any of the following activity that:
Repeatedly uses language inconsistent with the community standards of the area from which the chat originated.
Impedes or otherwise prohibits communication; disrupts the discussion including, without limitation, using screen names in topical chats that are offensive to the topic and repeatedly posting off-topic comments in a topical chat.
Contains highly explicit or graphic descriptions or accounts of sexual acts, including but not limited to sexual language of a violent or threatening nature, directed at another individual or group of individuals, particularly when unsolicited.
Contains vulgarities directed toward another individual or group.
Depicts violence in a gratuitous manner, without journalistic or artistic merit, primarily intended to agitate or cause emotional distress.
Is intended to victimize, harass, degrade or intimidate an individual or group of individuals on the basis of age, disability, ethnicity, gender, race, religion or sexual orientation. Hate speech is unacceptable anywhere on the service.
Solicits personal information from a minor (under 18 years old). Personal information includes full name, home address, home telephone number, or other identifying information that would enable "offline" contact.
Contains or facilitates the transfer of software viruses or any other computer code, files or programs designed to interrupt, destroy or limit the functionality of any computer software or hardware or telecommunications equipment.
Contains material that defames, abuses, threatens, promotes, or instigates physical harm or death to others, or oneself.
Is illegal or incites illegal activity, such as instructional information on how to build a bomb and/or make counterfeit money.
Solicits for exchange, sale or purchase of sexually explicit images, and/or material harmful to minors; including, but not limited to, any photograph, film, video, or picture or computer generated image or picture (actual or simulated).
Infringes anyone else's intellectual property rights, including, but not limited to, any copyright, trademark, rights of publicity, rights of privacy, or other proprietary rights.
Attempts to harvest or collect member information, including screen names.
Impersonates or represents any person or entity in an attempt to deceive, harass or otherwise mislead another member. You may not pretend to be an employee or representative of AOL, or any of the America Online, Inc. family of companies, or affiliates.
Attempts to get a password, or other private information from a user. Remember: AOL employees will NEVER ask for your password.
Links to and/or references content not allowed under these guidelines.
Otherwise uses the service in a manner deemed inappropriate by AOL.
Note: It is important to remember safety while online. Always use caution when providing any personal information about yourself anywhere online. It's also a good rule-of-thumb to check the Privacy Policies of any unfamiliar or new web sites you visit. When communicating in a chat room be mindful that many people will be able to view it and the inclusion of information such as your name, your address or telephone number is never recommended.
Take advantage of AIM's IGNORE feature.
AIM Chat is provided with an Ignore button. To stop receiving messages from someone in a chat room, select the person's screen name in the field that lists everyone in the chat room and click Ignore. An X appears next to the selected screen name and their text will no longer appear on your screen. You might also consider using blocking or filtering software for chat environments like AIM chat, and instant messaging, available through sites like www.getnetwise.org."
