MSN
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MSN, though not as popular as the other two, probably has the most sophisticated chat environment, particularly with the new UK chat client. Any topic can have its own chat area, but for a general natter, the best place seems to be the Village Green. Apart from some cosy general areas, there are regular organised topics like Films/TV and PCs/software and even a quiz. The only trouble with the UK areas is that very few people turn up. Although, for instance, I got helpful answers to a query in the PCs chat, I seemed to be the only one with something to ask on the theme - after my question, the handful of participants degenerated into a set of chummy in-remarks. This isnÆt a problem thatÆs limited to MSN, but seems strongest there because of the small numbers involved.
MSN also runs auditorium chats. Big ones from the US are well attended, but I sat in on a UK one where the guest was Melvyn Bragg, joining about a dozen others in firing questions at Mr Broadcast Arts. Like CompuServe, questions are put via an intermediary, but the mechanism is much more fun, as questions are asked in a separate, parallel chat session, so while waiting for the great manÆs answers (Melvyn tended to the wordy), there was an underground discussion going on that was entertaining in its own right.
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