Since its debut in 2009, Chatroulette has become a web phenomenon. The site randomly connects two users from anywhere in the world for a video chat session. At any time, each of the two users can close the session and start a new one with another user at random. If you are ready for a unique experience fraught with danger and fun, read on to get started, oh brave web pioneer!
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Connecting to Chatroulette
Step 1. Do not use Chatroulette if you are under 18 or if you are bothered by explicit and offensive content
It is never enough to repeat it: Chatroulette is not a place for children or the faint of heart. While most Chatroulette users are normal, quiet people, a significant minority are people who enjoy playing pranks or perverts, many of whom are cheeky and mischievous. A study published shortly after the site's launch found that 1 in 8 times the user was linked to content that was prohibited to minors. While recent efforts to discourage this abuse have been successful, it is still not uncommon to encounter explicit content on Chatroulette.
Don't use Chatroulette if you are a child! If you are a parent, do not allow children to use it. It's easy to see something really awful about Chatroulette. You have been warned
Step 2. Get the right tools
Chatroulette is a video-based chat service, so it won't do you much good without the right tools and accessories. Make sure your computer has a working webcam, that it has the latest version of Flash installed, and that the speakers are working.
If you want to be able to talk, make sure the microphone is also working. It is not essential, since you can also communicate through the appropriate chat
Step 3. Create an account
Initially, Chatroulette allowed anyone to use the site anonymously. But now, to discourage abuse, Chatroulette requires users to sign up for a free account before they can use the site's features. Creating an account requires choosing a username, specifying an e-mail address and a password to associate with the account.
To create an account, go to www.chatroulette.com (don't worry, you won't see anything explicit yet). Click on the "Get Started" button at the top left of the window and a pop-up will appear inviting you to create an account
Step 4. Test your webcam
On the main Chatroulette screen, you should see two black squares on the left side of the screen. When using Chatroulette, the lower square will show how much your webcam is broadcasting, while the upper square will show your interlocutor's. Click on the "Preview your webcam" button on the lower square to activate your computer's webcam. If it works correctly, you should see what is in front of its target. Typically, it should be your gorgeous big face!
Step 5. When you activate the preview of your webcam you may see a pop-up asking you for permission to activate the webcam
In this case, simply click on "Ok" or "Agree" or the equivalent option to turn on your webcam.
- Start chatting! When you've created an account and got your webcam working, you're ready to spin the Chatroulette wheel! If you are not already on the site, go to www.chatroulette.com. When your mind is ready and your nerves are steady, click on the "Get Started" button in the upper left. Your microphone and webcam should activate and you will enter a chat session with a random user from anywhere in the world. Have fun!
- Be prepared to jump to the next user or shut down the image broadcast entirely. After clicking the "Start" button, the text on the button will change to "Next". This button now allows you to instantly close the video chat with the current user and switch to another random user. If you are the fearful type, it will be best to keep the mouse ready on the button so that you can quickly skip any overly explicit content.
Step 6. The "Stop" button at the top left will instantly close the transmission of your video without reconnecting to another user
As you can imagine, this button is useful when you want to stop broadcasting altogether.
Finally, if you come across offensive or explicit content, click "Report and Next". If a certain user is reported several times within a certain period of time, they will be blocked temporarily
Part 2 of 2: Respect Chatroulette's Netiquette
Step 1. Protect your identity
Unfortunately, the internet is full of scammers, bad guys and perverts, so Chatroulette is no exception. Check your surroundings carefully: is there anything visible in the field of your webcam that can identify you? If so, hide those items or take them off directly. Below is a list of some of the things that can be used to identify you:
- Your real name;
- Your address;
- Financial information;
- Birthmarks on the skin and tattoos.
Step 2. Fix your appearance and your surroundings
When you find yourself staring at a PC screen at 3 am, it's easy to forget that the other user can see you too. Before you go to Chatroulette, take a moment to make sure you are presentable and that your surroundings are, too. Fix your hair, wash your face and tidy up around you to avoid being targeted by a merciless stranger.
If you can change the light in the room, choose a light source that is soft and warm since, if you are a person like others, you will certainly not look your best in the pale light of a monitor
Step 3. Have fun in a nice and clean way
Despite the bad apples, Chatroulette is an amazing tool. When used correctly, Chatroulette allows you to create a true connection with someone on the other side of the world that you would never have known otherwise. Take full advantage of this opportunity! Behave on Chatroulette as you would if you really met someone on the other side of the world - be polite, friendly and open-minded. Common sense will take you far!
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Chatroulette has some rules of use. They are shown on the main Chatroulette page before you start chatting and are:
- Users may not display nudity or offer to do so;
- Users must be at least 18 years old;
- Users cannot transmit spam (advertisements);
- Users cannot fake someone else's video broadcast.
Step 4. If you want, plan a funny gimmick
This is the real fun of Chatroulette! Take advantage of Chatroulette's randomness, worldwide spread and relative anonymity to surprise and / or amuse a stranger! You could, for example, make the other user jump by making a friend suddenly appear in front of the webcam. Or you can design a hilarious singing and dancing performance. The only limit is your imagination (and of course the rules of using Chatroulette)!
Advice
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Apparitions of famous people are bogus.
There are programs that allow users to stream video via their webcam, making it appear to be someone else. Even "normal" people on Chatroulette are, in fact, pre-recorded videos. To demonstrate this, ask the other person to give you the peace sign or put a shoe on your head.
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Be interesting.
The best way to make the most of Chatroulette is to be fun! Get yourself something fun to pull off, whether it's a Lady Gaga imitation or a quick serenade for your new Chatroulette partner. If you don't want to act, at least make sure you are visible and smiling.
Warnings
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Beware of dangers from strangers.
The danger of exposing your face and personal information to others on the internet is well known. Just to reiterate, however, there are many people on the net who have as a hobby the purpose of embarrassing others and trying to slander or ruin the lives of others. Do not disclose anything that could be used against you and be aware that even your first name could lead someone to know your personal information in this interconnected contemporary world.
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Chatroulette is not safe at work.
You find nudity, offensive gestures, foul language and all the ways people on Chatroulette can be embarrassing. Needless to say, it's an absolutely unsafe site to use at work.
