NOTE: On January 24th, we upgraded to a newer version of the chat applet that fixes a lot of problems. If you couldn't chat using the applet before, give it another try... you may be able to now. Conversely, if you suddenly find you can't chat with the applet, try the "Prior Chat Applet" link on the chat index page -- it loads the former version.

• You need Java- and Javascript-enabled Netscape 4.0 or IE 4.0 or above to use this chat applet. The drop-down menus and clickable icons do not function in some Macintosh browsers and early versions of Firebird, but you can still chat.
• If a pop-up window does not open and you have Javascript enabled, check for any sort of popup-blockers you might have running. You will need to exempt this site from blocking to use this applet.
• Netscape 4.7 on Mac OS 9 is not supported due to incomplete JDK1.1 support on that platform. Users who want to use this applet under OS 9 should use IE5 with Java Security set to "Unrestricted Access."
• Some newer releases of Microsoft operating systems do not even include a Java engine. If you are using an affected release you will need to download and install a Java engine before you can chat via this applet.
• Linux Netscape 7 uses the defective JDK1.3 by default, and will crash in some systems (Redhat 7.2 for example). The fix is to replace the old Java plugin with the JDK1.4 java runtime plugin.
• If a box requesting permission to run pops up, please click "Okay." This gives the Java applet permission to connect to another server so you can chat.
• If after entering your nickname and clicking "Connect Now!" you get a chat window that only says, Waiting for server to respond... and that condition persists for several minutes, your Java permissions are probably not set correctly. Here are some things you can try:
  
  • If you get a pop-up box asking if it's okay to install and run jIRC from JPilot, you must give permission. This allows the client to connect to a different host, and is normal.
  • If you don't get a pop-up box, search through your browser menus and look for Java, JVM, or permissions. You want to tell your browser either to ask you for permission to run signed applets or to allow unlimited host/network access.
  • If you still can't get things to go, drop me an email (link at page bottom) with your browser brand and version, plus a description of the symptoms. I'll try to help you get going.
• If you are behind a stealth firewall, the connection process may pause after the message Received ident response or Checking for open socks server... This is normal; you may have to wait for a minute or two for the process to continue. Please be patient.
• Are you seeing these two lines every time you type?
      ###### Unregistered copy, evaluation only.
      ###### Please ask webmaster to register it.
  If so, you need to re-enter the room directly from our site. Just click this link to go to the Savvie and Lacey site. Bookmark that page if you haven't done so, then click the chat link to return here. Like magic, those annoying nag lines will be gone!
• In almost every case, you can safely ignore the avalanche of information you'll receive immediately after connecting to the chat room. It's the stuff after the topic is announced that's important.
• Want to use your favorite IRC client instead of this applet? Just connect to irc.savvieandlacey.net (port 6667) then join #Abbot's_Place.