Sometimes the old-fashioned way is best. They're easily controlled because a discussion moderator can admit or deny participants or even censor messages if necessary, and they provide an all-important record that can be used to educate newcomers later on. It's only a small step to constructing full-fledged discussion sessions, and a shorter step still to online chat. Major Web servers support some form of it, and freeware newsgroup software is readily available. Microsoft Exchange and Lotus Notes also offer extensive, archivable discussion capabilities.
Most chat systems remain unconnected to the Web sites most users want to visit.
Now an Israeli company, Hyperix Ltd., offers Gooey, freeware that adds real-time discussion capabilities to any Web site. Computerworld Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission of Computerworld Inc. is prohibited.