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Chat rooms are often confused with discussion groups or online forums, which are significantly different, since they do not take place in real time and are usually run over the World Wide Web.The oldest form of true chat rooms are the text-based variety. The most popular of this kind of chat room is Internet Relay Chat (or IRC). However, there are also talkers and havens. The popularity of these kinds of chat rooms have waned over the years, but IRC's popularity still remains strong.
At the next level are 2D visual chat rooms. These are characterized by using a graphic representation of the user (avatar) that can be moved about a graphic background of the "room". These environments are capable of incorporating elements such as games and educational material most often developed by individual site owners, who in general are simply more advanced users of the systems. Some visual chat rooms also incorporate audio and video communications, so that users may actually see and hear each other. This is particularly popular with those keeping in touch with far-flung family members.
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