What are message boards and chat rooms?
The Internet provides a number of ways to communicate online (i.e., “virtually”) with people whose situations are similar to yours. Message boards, which are also called “discussion boards” or “forums,” are like virtual bulletin boards. Participants post messages (called “posts”) about specific topics, such as ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, ostomies, parenting children with IBD, etc. Usually, anyone can choose to read some or all of the messages, but you typically must register to reply to messages or post a new message. The beauty of a message board is that participants don’t have to be online simultaneously. You can post a message one evening and others post responses over the next few days. Chat rooms operate like message boards, but in real time. There is no delay in the exchange in information, meaning that participants must be online simultaneously. Chat rooms resemble telephone conversations – when participants log off, the conversation is over. With either message boards
