Illustrated Guide to How Talk Works Online

How Does Talk Work?

Talk rooms are a unique way to meet hordes of fresh people in real time. Unlike instant messaging, talk connects people together in a single window for text-based conversations. You can also send voice messages, connect your webcam and movie talk and more from some chatrooms.

But, how does talk work? In front of the computer screen, it may seem effortless to sign in and choose a topic from a directory of virtual rooms. Behind the scenes, however, a network of computers and servers are communicating at lighting speed over copper and fiber optic cables to supply the seamless practice you can find across chatrooms on IM clients and other free services.

In this illustrated step-by-step guide, we will explore what happens after you sign in.

Step-by-Step: How Chatrooms Work

  1. Your computer connects to the talk server
  2. Instructions are sent to the server
  3. You are connected to the chatroom

Proceed Reading Below

Your Computer Connects to the Talk Server

A protocol is used to connect people for real time communications online, like when you meet with friends in a chatroom. When you very first sign in to your IM client or a talk service, this protocol will connect your computer to the program’s servers. One such protocol is Internet Relay Talk, also known as IRC.

Step-by-Step: How Chatrooms Work

  1. Your computer connects to the talk server
  2. Directives are sent to the server
  3. You are connected to the chatroom

Proceed Reading Below

Sending Directions to the Talk Server

When you perform an act to open a talk, directions are sent via your keyboard and mouse to the server. The server will then send byte-sized units of data called packets to your computer. The packets are collected, organized and assembled to produce a directory of available talk room topics, if one is available.

On some instant messaging clients, chatroom listings are accessible through drop-down menus. Selecting a specific room will result in your computer sending a instruction to the server to open a fresh window and connect you to the talk.

Step-by-Step: How Chatrooms Work

  1. Your computer connects to the talk server
  2. Guidelines are sent to the server
  3. You are connected to the chatroom

How Talk Messages Are Sent

When you are connected to a chatroom, you can send real-time messages which can be seen by all the people in the virtual room. Your computer will transmit packets containing the message you wrote to the server, which then collects, organizes and re-assembles the data, down to the very font, text size and color used in some instances. The message is then echoed by the server to every other user in the chatroom.

Some talks suggest you the capability to private message (also called direct messaging or cooing) another user. While the message may show up directly on screen along with other users' messages, it can only be read by its intended recipient. Other services, however, supply the message in a separate window. To see how this might work, see my article on how IM works.

On a server, chatrooms are sometimes referred to as channels. You can stir inbetween channels or in some cases access numerous channels at once, depending on the client or service you are using.

Step-by-Step: How Chatrooms Work

  1. Your computer connects to the talk server
  2. Directions are sent to the server
  3. You are connected to the chatroom

Illustrated Guide to How Talk Works Online

How Does Talk Work?

Talk rooms are a unique way to meet hordes of fresh people in real time. Unlike instant messaging, talk connects people together in a single window for text-based conversations. You can also send voice messages, connect your webcam and movie talk and more from some chatrooms.

But, how does talk work? In front of the computer screen, it may seem effortless to sign in and choose a topic from a directory of virtual rooms. Behind the scenes, however, a network of computers and servers are communicating at lighting speed over copper and fiber optic cables to produce the seamless practice you can find across chatrooms on IM clients and other free services.

In this illustrated step-by-step guide, we will explore what happens after you sign in.

Step-by-Step: How Chatrooms Work

  1. Your computer connects to the talk server
  2. Directions are sent to the server
  3. You are connected to the chatroom

Proceed Reading Below

Your Computer Connects to the Talk Server

A protocol is used to connect people for real time communications online, like when you meet with friends in a chatroom. When you very first sign in to your IM client or a talk service, this protocol will connect your computer to the program’s servers. One such protocol is Internet Relay Talk, also known as IRC.

Step-by-Step: How Chatrooms Work

  1. Your computer connects to the talk server
  2. Directions are sent to the server
  3. You are connected to the chatroom

Proceed Reading Below

Sending Directions to the Talk Server

When you perform an act to open a talk, directives are sent via your keyboard and mouse to the server. The server will then send byte-sized units of data called packets to your computer. The packets are collected, organized and assembled to produce a directory of available talk room topics, if one is available.

On some instant messaging clients, chatroom listings are accessible through drop-down menus. Selecting a specific room will result in your computer sending a directive to the server to open a fresh window and connect you to the talk.

Step-by-Step: How Chatrooms Work

  1. Your computer connects to the talk server
  2. Directives are sent to the server
  3. You are connected to the chatroom

How Talk Messages Are Sent

When you are connected to a chatroom, you can send real-time messages which can be seen by all the people in the virtual room. Your computer will transmit packets containing the message you wrote to the server, which then collects, organizes and re-assembles the data, down to the very font, text size and color used in some instances. The message is then echoed by the server to every other user in the chatroom.

Some talks suggest you the capability to private message (also called direct messaging or murmuring) another user. While the message may emerge directly on screen along with other users' messages, it can only be read by its intended recipient. Other services, however, produce the message in a separate window. To see how this might work, see my article on how IM works.

On a server, chatrooms are sometimes referred to as channels. You can budge inbetween channels or in some cases access numerous channels at once, depending on the client or service you are using.

Step-by-Step: How Chatrooms Work

  1. Your computer connects to the talk server
  2. Directions are sent to the server
  3. You are connected to the chatroom

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