View source for Chat Bar

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The Chat Bar lies just on top of the [[Toolbar]], at bottom-left of the [[User Interface]], as shown below:

[[Image:Toolbar_Left.JPG]]

==Opening and Closing the Chat Bar==
To open the Chat Bar (if it is not already open), either:
*Press on the small button at the far left of the [[Toolbar]]
*Press Enter on your keyboard

To close the Chat Bar, press again on the small button at the far left of the [[Toolbar]].

Note that when the Chat Bar is closed, typing keyboard characters will '''cause them to perform functions''' (as listed in the [[Drop-Down Menu]]s), instead of writing text.

==Using the Chat Bar==
The 
Chat Bar includes the following elements:
*the Input Box shows the line of text that you are typing and that you will send to Local Chat
*the Say Button (to the right of the Input Box), when clicked on, sends the text in the Input Box to Local Chat
*the Gestures Button (to the right of the Say Button) opens the Gestures Window
*the Local Chat button (to the left of the Input Box) opens the [[Local Chat Window]], where you can scroll up to view the history of recent conversations

Type what you want to say into the Input Box. To send the message to Local Chat, you can either:
*Press Enter on your keyboard
*Click on the Say button
*Click on the up-arrow to the right of the Say button, and select "Shout" (or simply press Ctrl+Enter)

If you click on the Say button, any [[Resident]] within 20 meters of your [[Avatar]] will see your message.

If you Shout, any [[Resident]] within 96 meters of your [[Avatar]] will see your message.

==Related Functions==
The Chat Bar is used to send text to all [[Resident]]s in your vicinity, as described in: [[Local Chat]]

To see the history of Local Chat, open the [[Local Chat Window]].

To send text to just one other Resident, use an [[Instant Message]].

For a list of all the types of chat communication in Second Life, see: [[Chat]]

==See Also==
*[[Chat]]
*[[Local Chat]]
*[[Local Chat Window]]
*[[Toolbar]]
*[[Communicate Button]]
*[[Instant Message]]

[[Category:Communicating]]