There is a program on TFN which will allow you to chat with other users online. It is called talk.

In order to use it, you must first set talk requests so that you can receive them. This is done by Typing an "S" (Execute a Shell) then typing 'mesg y' (without quotes) then press enter. This will allow other users to initiate a request to talk with you by 'paging' you when they see you online. You may also 'page' other users.

Follow the steps below to initiate a talk request with a user:
1. Turn Talk Requests (Messages) on: Type an "S" (execute a Shell), from the Main Menu. Then at the shell prompt, ($) type 'mesg y' to turn them on. Type 'mesg n' to turn messages off. (without quotes)

2. Type 'who' at the shell ($) prompt to see who is online with you...you will see a listing of logins.

3. Type 'finger user' at the shell ($) prompt to determine if the user you would like to talk with has their 'messages' set to 'yes', it will say (messages off) if they don't. If you simply finger for the list of online users, you can tell if they have messages off because next to the TTY you will see a * (asterisk)

4. INITIATE THE REQUEST: Type 'talk user' at the shell ($) prompt the talk daemon should be displayed and begin paging the user. The above process assumes that you want to talk to a user on FN1 - If not, then you would have to type 'talk user@hostname.domain' to talk to that user. A good rule of thumb with talk requests is that you page a user a maximum of THREE times in succession. If the user is unavailable, discontinue paging for a few minutes and try again later.

5. If the other user answers your page, the two of you can 'talk' with each other by typing on your respective halves of the screen. Type l to clear the screen should it become messed up. Press a number of times to clear the screen entirely. When you are finished you can type c to exit.

** To answer another user's page repeat the process above.

6. At the Shell ($) prompt, type 'exit' (without quotes) to return to the Menu Shell.

NOTE:Some users, like me, have decided to turn off their messages. This is due to the fact that some of us would be slightly inconvienced by the talk daemon. Other users on TFN simply do not accept talk requests for whatever reason.

TALKING TO USERS WITH MESSAGES OFF - Suggestion: If you would like to possibly talk to someone who has their messages turned off, the best way is to finger the user in question, and send them an e-mail message requesting that they talk with you. If they respond to you, then you can set up a time to talk. Some users perfer using email rather then the talk daemon. The best way to find out this is to ask the user what they preference is. :)

MAINTAINED BY: Brian S. "Buddy" Baker
System Volunteer
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