You must have a web browser that supports frames for this chat to work (pretty much every web browser today supports frames.)
The updates to the chat text are automatic, but will only happen at regular intervals (about twenty seconds.) You may notice some lag between the time you type something in and when it appears on the screen.
If you get kicked off the chat for any reason, you can come right back in and your text will still be there - this is a "persistent" chat room.
If the chat does not seem to be updating correctly, try pressing the "reload" button in your web browser - sometimes it needs a kick to keep it from "caching" the chat room page. Once you are logged in, you need to use the "Reload Frame" function in your browser (usually a right-click) instead of the Reload function for the whole page.
Anyone can be a "lurker" and watch the text being typed - do not assume that you have any privacy in here!
THIS IS NOT A SECURE METHOD OF COMMUNICATION! While it is difficult to snoop on another user, it's not impossible. Use a unique password for the chat room, and don't say anything that you truly would like to keep secret!
Please see the help page for instructions on how to use the chat, and descriptions of the various features available.
There are also logs available of the chat: last 250, 500, 1000 and 2000 posts.