Filipino Online Chat Rooms in Perspective and History

Filipinos just simply love chatting and engaging via the social media. This analysis is backed-up by the recent report that shows a higher percentage of Filipinos using the social media versus the total number of those who are online. At the recent report released by comScore.com, almost 46% of the Filipinos uses social media sites for networking.

Chat rooms are specific areas and venues online where people can react and interact in real time.

In history and usage, the term "chat room" is used in general to convey an idea of synchronized conferencing or conversation. It is also called "online chat room" specially that these chat discussions are done with the aid of the world wide web. Currently, these words are used interchangeably: "online forums", "online chat rooms" and "online chat area" to be the same keyword of the same thing for instant messaging and any form of internet-basd discussion forums. In a definition I can coin, a "chat room" is a graphical environment where users discuss topics and ideas.

Today's chat room is the grand daughther of several years of development. The first one this writer came accross is MIRC in early 90's.

According to some research, the deeper source of the modern day chatroom is the Multi User Dungeon software. It is often called MUD Server. Developed by then University of Essex student RoyTrubshaw in late 70's, the said software allowed individuals connect to people using their home computers to participate in an online fantasy game.

The new and exciting world initiated by online fantasy game Dungeon and Dragons, became popular specially with this special feature where everyone an chat with anyone anytime online.

The simple game became an instant phenomenon and the program, from a small network which contains friends and acquaintances, becomes the forefront of future developments of the chat tool. From gaming, the same chat software was widely accepted as the software for general discussion and conversation.

FILIPINO CHAT ROOM 

There is no public detail of the filipino's use of chat rooms. However in early 90's MIRC was introduced to Filipinos. MIRC is an MS-Dos based program where people around the globe began chatting. The famous line "ASL" becomes to popular as  a symbol for asking anyones "Age, sex and location."

By 1990's, newer and updated version of the MUD server and software has emerged. By 1994, more than 400 MUD's formed by different niche, groups and communities. These special groups pursued multiple interests and discussions which progressed into the very first forums ever.  Most of these forums are pioneered by Filipinos.

Currently, these chat rooms are now a critical service provided by known social media networks in a very user-friendly interface. Chatwing.com is one of them.

The writer is definitely an online chat administrator of popular chat rooms based in the Philippines. He has also contributed numerous insightful articles on filipino chatroom and kids chatting rooms.