chat
when starting a netpd-session, you usually launch _chat.pd . it automatically establishes a connection to the netpd-server (netpd.org:3025), if you have a working internet connection. an alternative server can be found here syru65-234.syr.edu:3026
unfortunately you cannot use spaces, when chatting. most people use a dot instead. this limitations comes from pd's symbol box object, which is used in chat as typeinput in order to avoid using another external.
chat provides a set of global variables for netpd, which are mostly used by netpd-abstractions and other parts of netpd, but can of course also be used by custom netpd patches (or for whatsoever purpose). check the complete list on the global variables page.
dev section
the currently used protocol is a bit chaotic (and very old) and described in protocol.
the buttons of chat:
online (resp. offline)
the most left button (in the bottom row) indicates, if you are connected to a server or not. use this button also to disconnect and reconnect.
list
the next button labelled with list gives you a list of all connected clients, when clicked. you will see for each connected client a line like this:
somename on_socket_4
or
somename on_socket_5_/_creator_1.5.1_open
this will tell you the nickname used by a client, the socket number, which is a unique number assigned to each client, and also, if the client has creator running. if so, that means, a session is going on. as long as you do not start creator yourself, you can talk to the people, but you are not participating to the running session, if there is any.
pref
this button will open a pop window with a settings dialog to define your [netpd-settings]?.
logview
[logview] launches the logview patch. this patch is used to read the chat protocol of the whole talk of the day. logview is a very old patch and is subject to be removed from netpd, since its functionality could be implemented into chat.
creator
this is probably the most important button, since it starts creator and lets you participate in the ongoing netpd-session, which means, that all patches are downloaded to your system and you can access them, play with them, load your own patces.