Ok, I have set up a board and chat room for regulars as the poll has enough people interested to start with.

Entry to the chatroom is limited to people who post regularly on S&D and those that have done for a while.

If you want to join click on this link:

http://groups.msn.com/SeparationGroup

you will be invited to apply to join the chatroom and to create a name for yourself, it's important to choose a name that is the same that you use on the S&D board, so that I can recognise you as a regular.

After that, I will receive the application request as manager of the group, I will then make a decision whether to accept or decline the application, based on whether someone is a regular on the board or I recognise them as someone who has posted for a while.

1. If you don't post regularly
2. If you post regularly on other boards but not on this one
3. If you've posted regularly, but only for a short time
4. If you've applied with a name we don't recognise

...don't waste your time, you won't be accepted.

If we are careful about who can join then we can ensure that it's a place where users can relax, socialise, and discuss more general issues without worrying about who's listening/reading.

If anyone has any difficulties then please post or email me to let me know that there is a problem.

We can always have chat nights or set times that people want to be on the board to make sure you are not alone in there!!

Hopefully you will enjoy it folks and who knows maybe make some great friends into the bargain!

Remember that I tend to be online or check my emails in the evening so don't panic if you apply during the day and don't get accepted straight away, I might just simply not have looked at my emails.

Ali x

Hello Ali

Well that is super about the chat room, I hope it gets lots of use.

One question....how short do you consider a short time? I've only been around this board for a couple of weeks now and I'd be really sad to miss out on the opportunity to chat with the people who've given me so much hope, understanding, support & inspiration during the separation from my husband.

Please let me know anyway if you consider me to be too 'new'....I don't want to waste anyone's time :)

Thanks

relly

Dear Ali

I must be showing my age or something but I don't really understand how the chatroom thing works! can you explain a bit more? I understand how to join but not what goes on afterwards.

Sorry for being thick.

Lara

Don't worry relly

If you applied I would definitely accept you as I read about 95% of the messages and notice the support and friendship you have with some of the other board members so I would consider you as someone who should be accepted.

Please go ahead

It is merely to make sure that people who are time wasting or who are not really known cannot get in easily because it is a place where people want to be comfortable with what they are saying to each other.

Ali x

Hi Lara

You are not thick at all, I only know from other boards where I post regularly and chat with people whom I 'know' a bit better.

Basically, you click on the link and apply for membership. Again I would say you are a regular so I would accept you no problem.

Once you are a member you will be able to log on to the group anytime. You can leave private messages in there that only group members can see. You can also click on the chat button and be able to chat to anyone else who is on there at the same time which means that you would perhaps be able to arrange a time to visit the chat room when say Helen (messup) or relly was in there and have a proper chat to them just as you can in MSN messenger.

Don't worry, we can talk you through it the first time until you get used to it.

it is also a place where you can put up a picture of yourself and your family so that people you consider a support to you can actually see a picture of you

You don't have to do that of course.

We will keep you right don't worry.

Ali x