BET CHAT FAQ

Here you can find answers to some frequently asked questions about BET.com Chats. If you don’t find the answer you’re looking for, please contact support@bet.com.

LOGGING IN

Q. Why can’t I log on to the BET.com chat rooms?

A. If your internet access is behind a firewall, you may not be able to access BET.com chats.

Please make sure your Internet browser meets these requirements.

For Windows:

· A Java-enabled web browser such as:

o Internet Explorer 3.xx, IE 4.xx, IE 5.xx, or IE 6.xx (with Java Machine)

o Netscape Navigator 3.xx, Netscape Navigator 4.xx, Netscape Communicator 4.xx, Netscape 5.xx, Netscape 6.xx (with Java plugin), or Netscape Gold 3.xx

o Speiros (Java-based Internet operating system from Cyrus InterSoft)

o

· The Java Plug-In. Get the Java Plug-In for Windows here: http://www.java.com/en/download/windows_automatic.jsp

For Mac OS 9.x and earlier:

· The latest Apple MRJ plug-in for Netscape browser and latest Microsoft Virtual Machine for Internet Explorer.

For Mac OS X 10.x:

· In-built support for Java.

Q. How can I tell which web browser I have?

A.For Internet Explorer:

1. Open your web browser.
2. Click on “Help” on the menu bar.
3. Select “About Internet Explorer.” The version number will be listed in the pop-up window.

For Netscape 4.0 or higher:

1. Open Netscape.
2. Click “Help” on the menu bar.
3. Click "About Communicator..."
4. The version number will be listed in bold letters.

Q. What do I do if I forget my password?

Go to the BET.com homepage and click “Login” in the upper right hand corner. At the bottom of the login screen, click where it says, “Forgot your password?” Then follow instructions to retrieve your password.

USING THE CHAT ROOMS

Q. How do I whisper to a user?

A. Highlight the users name and type and send your message as usual. If you want to continue a conversation in whisper mode with one user, select “Lock user selection” on the “Options” tab.

Q. How do I take the chat off whisper mode?

A. Click on your username on the “Users” panel and type your message as usual.

Q. How do I ignore a user?

A. Click on the ignore button on the “Users” panel as shown. When you ignore a selected user, all messages from that user are not displayed. A user ignored by you will have an ignored icon displayed beside his name.

Q. My chat screen is black and it’s hard to read the typing. How can I change the color?

A. On the right panel of the chat window, click on the “Options” tab. In the “Text Properties” area, select “Background” from the drop-down menu and select a color with better contrast from the color squares. Click “Apply.”

Q. What’s that beeping noise?

A. You have the “Audio Alerts” enabled, which means you will hear a beep or other sound effect whenever someone enters the room, types a message, etc. To disable this, click on the “Options” tab on the right panel of the chat window. In the “Audio Alerts” section find the sound effects that you have enabled. From the drop-down menu, select “None” or change the beep to a sound effect that you prefer.

Q. Changing rooms

A. Unless you select a different room at login, by default you will be logged into the first room on the alphabetical list. You can change rooms by highlighting a room name on the “Rooms” tab and then clicking the “Go To Room” button. You can be in a maximum of three rooms at a time.

Q. Leaving rooms

A. Click the “Leave” button. If you are only in one room, clicking “Leave” will log you out.

Q. Why can’t I create a chat room?

A. BET.com has disabled user-created chat rooms due to user abuse. You cannot create your own chat room at this time. However, you can still privately message any user who accepts private messages. If you have an idea for the creation of a room, send a request to Community@bet.com.

PARTICIPATING IN A MODERATED CHAT

Q. I went into a chat room and I couldn’t talk. Why don’t I see what I typed?

A. You entered a moderated chat room. BET.com’s moderated chats are not open discussion areas. They are designed for you to ask questions and make comments to our special guests about a given topic.

When you type a question, it will be sent to the BET.com chat moderator. The moderator checks every question that comes through and selects appropriate questions and comments for the guest to respond to during the chat. Questions will appear in the chat room as they are answered by the guest.

Q. Why hasn’t my question appeared?

A. During moderated chats, it takes time for the guest to answer a question and, depending on where your question is on the list, there may be a delay. Sometimes the question may have been asked before so we probably wouldn't ask it twice. Other times there are just so many questions coming through we can't answer them all. But we will do our best!

Q. How do you pick which questions to ask in a moderated chat?

A. These hints will help get your question answered.

• Submit an original question. “How do I get on BET?” won’t cut it.
• If we’ve already covered what you’re asking, we won’t ask the question again, even if it comes from a different user. You can always read the chat transcripts at http://www.bet.com/Community/BETcomChats.htm after the chat is over to see what you might have missed.
• Keep it short. Long questions take a long time to read, and even longer to answer.
• Questions sent as a whisper (by clicking on the guest’s name or the moderator’s name) cannot not be answered.
• Don’t include personal information such as your email address, phone number, or home address.
• Don’t use profanity.
• Do not include links to any websites unless asked to do so by the guest or the moderator.

Q. Where are the answers?

A. During a moderated chat, the answers will appear in the main chat window on the left side of the chat screen.

Q. I have a question to ask, but I can’t make the chat during the scheduled chat time. Can I submit my question ahead of time?

A. You can click “Discuss Now” inside of any chat article, sign in, and leave your questions there.

Q. Where can I read the transcripts from live chats?

A. Check BET.com’s Community page (http://www.bet.com/community) for transcripts. Transcripts are usually posted 1-2 days after the chat.

You can find additional help here. (http://chat.bet.com/help/clienthelp.htm)

Still having problems? Email support@bet.com