Any type of information or communication over Internet that is in the form of a one-on-one or group chat.
Online Chat can be in the form of web programs, instant messaging programs or internet relay chat. Examples of these include MSN Messenger, mIRC etc.
http://get.live.com/messenger/overview
http://messenger.yahoo.com/chat.php
http://www.icq.com/ This was invented by Israeli programmers.
http://www.aol.com.au/site/website/aolproducts/aim/index.php (popular in the US)
http://www.ceruleanstudios.com/learn/ (standalone application supporting multiple chat programs)
A word of warning for all those who plan to ‘chat’ on the internet - there are internet predators out there who prey on the innocence and naevity of their victims. NEVER EVER agree to meet someone you chat to over the internet, and be very wary about sending photos, videos etc to these people. There have been far too many cases about people being robbed, raped and murdered by meeting up with people they meet over the internet.
Forums are an online chat community which acts as a virtual message board for its members. Members post a discussion topic, and can reply to the posts at a later stage. Members can also view all other posts and discussion topics. The forums generally relate to a specific area, e.g. stock market discussion Hot Copper, travel discussion Lonely Planet, university discussionUninotes.