MDAchat FAQ     [en español]

Frequently Asked Questions

• MDAchat -- Welcome and Overview
• I want to participate. How do I login to MDAchat?
• How do I "get" a password?
• I've forgotten my password, now what?
• What's a chat nickname?
• When will support groups and other events be online, and how do I find them?
• How do I set up a new chat group?
• I'm in the chat session. How do I "talk" (post messages) to others?
• How do I find out who else is participating in the chat session with me?
• What's a private message?
• How can I disengage the auto-refresh and scroll down to read old messages?
• Can I copy the on-screen chat messages for my personal records?
• How do I logout from (leave) the chat session?
• Does MDAchat have a courtesy and conduct user policy?
• How do I report misconduct?
• What happens if I should receive a "warning" or "participation terminated" message from a member of the chat session leadership team host or moderator?
• Will transcripts of chat sessions be available?
• How do I send you other questions, comments and suggestions?

MDAchat -- Welcome and Overview

Welcome! We hope MDAchat gives you opportunities to share points of view, experiences and interests with others affected by neuromuscular diseases, as well as their families, friends and caregivers.

To participate in MDAchat, you need a "password." To obtain one, go to the MDAchat registration page and enter your full name, e-mail address and chat nickname. For this unique combination, MDAchat immediately e-mails you an access password. You can visit MDAchat without registering, if you wish only to read and not post messages.

Keep your password registration information in a safe place, but if you ever forget or misplace it, please use the MDAchat verification feature and we'll e-mail you another copy.

Now you're ready to join a chat session! Simply go to the MDAchat home page. To login, enter your chat password and nickname, select the chat session of your choice and click "Enter Chat." Remember that all MDAchat discussion groups and special events are scheduled in advance, so please use the MDAchat Calendar to find the dates and start and stop times of the chat sessions you're interested in.

As you enter a chat session, MDAchat "welcomes" you. To post a message, just type it in the "Type Message" box and click the "Send/Refresh" button. Alternatively, use your keyboard to send a message by hitting "Tab," then "Enter." Your message is posted next to your nickname at the TOP of the chat text; the cursor returns to the message box awaiting new input.

To find the nicknames of all the participants in the chat session with you, click on "List Participants."

To send a private message to another participant, type it in the "Type Private Message" box, enter the person's nickname in the "To Nickname" box and click the "Send Private Message" button. A private message is displayed in RED on the screens of ONLY the sender and receiver - no other participant is able to view the message.

Each time you post a message, your screen is "refreshed"; that is, the most recent posts appear at the top of the chat text. If you do not post a message, you can refresh the screen at any time by clicking the "Send/Refresh" button. Every 10 seconds, MDAchat automatically refreshes your screen for you. Clicking on "Click here to pause the chat screen auto-refresh" disengages the auto-refresh so that you can conveniently scroll down and read the old posts. Click "Send/Refresh" to release the pause and return to the chat.

If you wish to copy all messages while the chat session is in process, use the "print" feature of your browser to do so. Copies of transcripts are available at MDAchat Transcripts.

When it's time to leave, click on "Logout" and MDAchat bids you "goodbye"! If you re-enter the chat session before it closes, the full text will still be available for viewing.

Before you start using MDAchat, please read the MDAchat User Policy and the MDA Website Disclaimer.

We're continually seeking people to form MDAchat leadership hosting teams to assist ongoing groups or cover specific topics. To get involved, simply volunteer to set up a team, ask two or three of your friends to help you, and then complete and submit a New Group Application.

If you have other questions or want to offer a comment or suggestion, please feel free to e-mail the MDAchat Administrator at mdachat@mdausa.org.

I want to participate. How do I login to MDAchat?

To participate in MDAchat, you need a "password." To obtain one, go to the MDAchat registration page and enter your full name, e-mail address and chat nickname. For this unique combination, MDAchat immediately e-mails you an access password to the e-mail address you've entered. You can visit MDAchat without registering, if you wish only to read and not post messages.

Please keep your password registration information in a safe place, but if you ever forget or misplace it, use the MDAchat verification feature and we'll e-mail you another copy.

Now you're ready to join a chat session! Simply go to the MDAchat home page. To login, enter your chat password and nickname, select the chat session of your choice and click "Enter Chat."

Remember that all MDAchat discussion groups and special events are scheduled in advance, so please use the MDAchat Calendar to find the dates and start and stop times of the chat sessions you're interested in.

How do I "get" a password?

To participate in MDAchat, you need a "password." To obtain one, go to the MDAchat registration page and enter your full name, e-mail address and chat nickname. For this unique combination, MDAchat immediately e-mails you an access password to the e-mail address you've entered.

Please keep your password registration information in a safe place, but if you ever forget or misplace it, use the MDAchat verification feature and we'll e-mail you another copy.

I've forgotten my password, now what?

Keep your password registration information in a safe place, but if you ever forget or misplace it, please use the MDAchat verification feature and we'll e-mail you another copy.

What's a chat nickname?

A chat nickname is a name that you give to identify yourself online when you initially join (register with) MDAchat. Your chat nickname is unique and associated with your full name and the e-mail address you registered with. Once accepted by MDAchat, you cannot change your chat nickname by yourself. If you wish to change your nickname, please e-mail the MDA Chat Administrator at mdachat@mdausa.org giving your current and proposed new nickname with an explanation of why you're changing. (Allow a few days for the new nickname to take effect.) Remember only your MDAchat nickname is displayed online. No other personal information about you or other participants is displayed or released without your prior approval.

When will support groups and other events be online, and how do I find them?

All MDAchat sessions have assigned start and stop times and they're listed in the MDAchat Calendar. MDAchat rooms aren't available for use at other times. This feature allows you to plan your online time more effectively and helps to ensure that others with similar interests are online to talk with you. You should never encounter an "empty" chat session or fail to be greeted by a member of the leadership team (host or moderator) when using MDAchat.

If you'd like to become part of a leadership team that helps conduct ongoing MDAchat groups or specific events, simply volunteer to set up a team, ask two or three of your friends to join, and then complete and submit a New Group Application.

How do I set up a new chat group?

We're continually seeking people to form MDAchat leadership host teams to assist ongoing groups or cover specific topics. To get involved, simply volunteer to set up a team, ask two or three of your friends to join, and then complete and submit a New Group Application.

Responsibilities of an MDAchat leadership host team are to have at least one member of the team present at each chat session, recruit and welcome new participants to your group, and help to encourage lively and productive online interchanges and discussion. Additionally, if special topics or guest speakers are involved, provide this information to the MDAchat Administrator, at mdachat@mdausa.org, for appropriate Web site posting or other notice. And, if problems or concerns develop, report them to the MDAchat Administrator.

I'm in the chat session. How do I "talk" (post messages) others?

As you enter a chat session, MDAchat "welcomes" you. To post a message, just type it in the "Type Message" box and click the "Send/Refresh" button. Alternatively, use your keyboard to send a message by hitting "Tab," then "Enter." Your message is posted next to your nickname at the TOP of the chat text; the cursor returns to the message box awaiting new input.

To find the nicknames of all the participants in the chat session with you, click on "List Participants."

To send a private message to another participant, type it in the "Type Private Message" box, enter the person's nickname in the "To Nickname" box and click the "Send Private Message" button. A private message is displayed in RED on the screens of ONLY the sender and receiver - no other participant is able to view the message.

Each time you post a message, your screen is "refreshed"; that is, the most recent posts appear at the top of the chat text. If you do not post a message, you can refresh the screen at any time by clicking the "Send/Refresh" button. Every 10 seconds, MDAchat automatically refreshes your screen for you. Clicking on "Click here to pause the chat screen auto-refresh" disengages the auto-refresh so that you can conveniently scroll down and read the old posts. Click "Send/Refresh" to release the pause and return to the chat.

If you wish to copy all messages while the chat session is in process, use the "print" feature of your browser to do so. Copies of transcripts are available at MDAchat Transcripts.

When it's time to leave, click on "Logout." MDAchat acknowledges your leaving and offers you navigation options. If you re-enter the chat session before it closes, the full text will still be available for viewing.

Before you start using MDAchat, please read the MDAchat User Policy and the MDA Website Disclaimer.

How do I find out who else is participating in the chat session with me?

While in the chat room, click on the "List Participants" to view the nicknames of all the participants in the chat session with you.

What's a private message?

A private message is one that you can send to another participant that will only be seen by you and the receiver. To send a private message to another participant, type it in the "Type Private Message" box, enter the person's nickname in the "To Nickname" box and click the "Send Private Message" button. A private message is displayed in RED on the screens of ONLY the sender and receiver - no other participant is able to view the message.

How can I disengage the auto-refresh and scroll down to read old messages?

Each time you post a message, your screen is "refreshed"; that is, the most recent posts appear at the top of the chat text. If you do not post a message, you can refresh the screen at any time by clicking the "Send/Refresh" button. Every 10 seconds, MDAchat automatically refreshes your screen for you. Clicking on "Click here to pause the chat screen auto-refresh" (located just above the Type Message Box) disengages the auto-refresh so that you can conveniently scroll down and read the old posts. Click "Send/Refresh" to release the pause and return to the chat.

Can I copy the on-screen chat messages for my personal records?

If you wish to copy all messages while the chat session is in process, use the "print" feature of your browser to do so. Copies of transcripts are available at MDAchat Transcripts.

How do I logout from (leave) the chat session?

When it's time to leave, click on "Logout" and MDAchat bids you "goodbye"! If you re-enter the chat session before it closes, the full text will still be available for viewing.

Does MDAchat have a courtesy and conduct user policy?

Yes, and it's called the MDAchat User Policy. When you enter MDAchat, you indicate your understanding, agreement and willingness to abide by the MDAchat User Policy and with the MDA Web Site Disclaimer. Also, you release MDA from all liability related to your entering and/or using MDAchat.

MDAchat requires users to exercise courtesy, self-restraint and respect for other people and their points-of-view. MDAchat will not tolerate disruptive conduct, expressed hatred of any form, harassment or abuse, threats of any kind to persons/people and/or property, and/or obscene or sexually explicit material in conversation, topics or nicknames. Within the context of the MDA Web Site Disclaimer, MDA reserves the right to establish MDAchat management, operations, content and participation policies for all online sessions and the right to take whatever action is required to resolve conflict, inappropriate behavior or any matter associated with MDAchat based on its sole judgment and decision. Such action may include temporary or permanent removal and/or ban from MDAchat.

Users of MDAchat are entirely responsible and liable for all activities conducted, including the consequences of their own conduct through any association resulting from entering and/or using MDAchat. MDAchat discourages users participating in online discussions from giving personal identifying information. MDAchat is not liable for situations encountered as a result of any user release of personal information online or off-line. MDAchat does not provide lists of users or release any personal user information to solicitors for distribution without prior approval.

All activities, events and discussions on MDAchat must conform to applicable local, state and Federal laws. For any action that is defined as a "criminal offense," such as stalking, for example, MDAchat will release information to proper authorities, honor all court subpoenas and otherwise cooperate with all legal investigations.

MDAchat encourages users to notify the MDAchat Administrator if violations of MDAchat User Policy are encountered. E-mail this information as soon as possible to the MDAchat Administrator at mdachat@mdausa.org -- and please be as specific as possible.

How do I report misconduct?

MDAchat encourages users to notify the MDAchat Administrator if violations of MDAchat User Policy are encountered. E-mail this information as soon as possible to the MDAchat Administrator at mdachat@mdausa.org -- and please be as specific as possible.

What happens if I should receive a "warning" or "participation terminated" message from a member of the chat session leadership team host or moderator?

If your conduct in the judgment of a leadership team member host or moderator is not in accord with the MDAchat User Policy, you'll receive an online warning message. If such unacceptable conduct continues, you may receive an online notice that your participation has been terminated. You may appeal such action by e-mailing an explanation to the MDAchat Administrator at mdachat@mdausa.org.

Will transcripts of chat sessions be available?

Unedited copies of transcripts are available at MDAchat Transcripts usually within 30 minutes of the close of the chat session. Announcements listed in the MDAchat Calendar indicate when edited transcripts will be provided. Posting of edited transcripts normally occurs within seven days of the online session.

How do I send you other questions, comments and suggestions?

Please e-mail the MDAchat Administrator at mdachat@mdausa.org at any time. Thank you! We value your participation.

To enter MDAchat, click here!

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