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Frequently Asked Questions

What Is an Online Reading Group?

How Do I Join A Group?

How Do I ADD an Established Group to This Community?

How Do I Use the Message Boards?

How Do I Log On For Chats?

Why Should I Support the Mall???

How Do I Use AIM, Instant Messenger?


Online Reading Groups:

In 1996, a newly launched site at AOL started an online reading community where the concept was to allow folks to participate in their own "member driven, member led" Online Reading Groups. The site would be happy to supply some advice, a touch of leader training, a chat room, a message board and a little marketing. These "member driven" groups would evolve as far and as well as their own interests allowed. Over time, a rather large community of multi-genre groups developed, matching most reader's tastes! These groups were maintained by devoted leaders, dedicated to their groups. Many of these groups evolved slowly to extend their offerings to the Internet...first with newsletters and e-group listserves, later, via chat rooms, message boards and websites of their own. 4 years on the internet, can be an ETERNITY worth of changes, and many of these independent groups acknowledged that they needed to enhance their participation throughout the Internet.

In our desire to support that "There IS Intelligent Life in Cyberspace... ; We went ahead and developed this site, ReadingGroupsOnline.com. The "Book Clique Cafe" is our Reading Group Community. 

All of our affiliated groups are independent...that is to say, they voluntarily join our webring directory in order to expand their internet presence, but each group is responsible for determining when and where they meet, along with their content and activity level.

ReadingGroupsOnline.com simply helps provide an active readers community for them to interact with on the internet. Historically, we have found that this community is a great place for avid readers to have a comfortable discussion and find like minded cyberbuddies. Several groups use AIM chatrooms, which are free rooms that work for ALL users after an easy download; AOL, internet based and Mac. Many of our groups are utilizing the great message boards at ezboard.com. Other groups use other outlets which they will be happy to help you navigate. Some groups have their own extensive websites linked from our pages.  Our directory leads to the individual groups and their links which have joined our ring.

So Come Join our CLIQUE... Just keep CLICKING, through our new boards, our new site, our new groups!!! We have always been open to the thought that ANY group of cyberbuddies who share a common interest in books, should find a place to enjoy their rapport and their passion towards particular books and authors.

New Members and Groups are ALWAYS WELCOME!!!


In 1996, a newly launched site at AOL started an online reading community where the concept was to allow folks to participate in their own "member driven, member led" Online Reading Groups. The site would be happy to supply some advice, a touch of leader training, a chat room, a message board and a little marketing. These "member driven" groups would evolve as far and as well as their own interests allowed. Over time, a rather large community of multi-genre groups developed, matching most reader's tastes! These groups were maintained by devoted leaders, dedicated to their groups. Many of these groups evolved slowly to extend their offerings to the Internet...first with newsletters and e-group listserves, later, via chat rooms, message boards and websites of their own. 4 years on the internet, can be an ETERNITY worth of changes, and many of these independent groups acknowledged that they needed to enhance their participation throughout the Internet.

In our desire to support that "There IS Intelligent Life in Cyberspace... ; We went ahead and developed this site, ReadingGroupsOnline.com. The "Book Clique Cafe" is our Reading Group Community. 

All of our affiliated groups are independent...that is to say, they voluntarily join our webring directory in order to expand their internet presence, but each group is responsible for determining when and where they meet, along with their content and activity level.

ReadingGroupsOnline.com simply helps provide an active readers community for them to interact with on the internet. Historically, we have found that this community is a great place for avid readers to have a comfortable discussion and find like minded cyberbuddies. Several groups use AIM chatrooms, which are free rooms that work for ALL users after an easy download; AOL, internet based and Mac. Many of our groups are utilizing the great message boards at ezboard.com. Other groups use other outlets which they will be happy to help you navigate. Some groups have their own extensive websites linked from our pages.  Our directory leads to the individual groups and their links which have joined our ring.

So Come Join our CLIQUE... Just keep CLICKING, through our new boards, our new site, our new groups!!! We have always been open to the thought that ANY group of cyberbuddies who share a common interest in books, should find a place to enjoy their rapport and their passion towards particular books and authors.

New Members and Groups are ALWAYS WELCOME!!!

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Join A Reading Group:
All of Our Affiliated Reading Groups are Open to New Members. Individual groups many have some restrictions which are mandated by the Leaders of the Group due to age related content. Our communities are attractive to mature readers and literary content is for teens and older. 
To Join A Group:
Full Information Can Be Found at:
JOIN A GROUP
Select the group or groups you want to Join via the Directory.
Individual Group Pages contain the email contact for each Group Leader. You can email them directly for more information or to join the group.
You can use our CONTACT form or Email: Readinggroups@aol.com 

 

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Adding An Established Group to This Community:
We are happy to ADD new or established Groups to the Book Clique Cafe. 
Full Information Can Be Found At:
ADDING A GROUP
We require that groups have at least 10 members. 
We require a dedicated leader of the group who interacts with the members and Book Clique Cafe management.
Your group should be internet based in order to be open to all members
We require some Specific Information in order to set up your group page and web ring.
Name of Your Group
Description of Your Group
Leader(s)/Responsible Moderator of your Group
Chat times
If you have online chat... send a link
If you have a message board...send a link
If you have an E-Group...send a link
If you have a primary Web Page for you group...send a link
If you have a general  multi month schedule of book selections, we are happy to post it and keep it updated if you contact us.
Send us suggestions for the Genre listing--Appropriate categories for your group.
If you need a chatroom or board, let us know
BCC can create message boards and internet chat rooms for your use.
You can use our CONTACT form


Your group MUST be based around book discussions. Mature topics (NO Pornography or Solicitation) may be discussed...BUT...if you have ONLY adult content, that MUST be noted on your group page. (Example..a Literary Erotica group would have an 18+ notation)

Basically we ask that Established Groups be Viable, Responsive to their members and site administration, Courteous to Newbies, and keep TOPICS within a PG13 family rating.

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Message Boards:
MANY of our Groups Use the Message Boards at Forums we provide at www.ezboard.com 
We have two different Forums:
Readinggroupsonline.com Message Board = This is the "business board" for actual group announcements or to try to create new groups. 

This is the Graphic  Link found at the top of These Homepages.
Bookaholics of the Book Clique Cafe is our Reading Group Community Board. This is where many individual groups have active Internet Boards.

You can also access Bookaholics via the Drop Down Menu at the Bottom of the readinggroupsonline.com message board page. 

All group pages associated at ezboards can be found at this page and the drop down menu at the bottom of the page. 
Bookaholics of the Book Clique Cafe is a Featured Community at www.talkaboutbooks.com, the readers forum at ezboards. 
Members do not have to specifically register at these boards in order to post. But, you do need to register to  to use additional features like graphics and signatures. 

Other groups retain either individual forums at ezboard or at other internet sites. Each group message board is linked from the individual group pages available via our directory.

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Chats:
Each Reading Group makes its own decisions about where and when it will meet on the internet. Many Reading Groups Use AIM, a free download at www.aol.com. Other groups use chat rooms at various internet areas, especially E-Group @Yahoo and Excite. 

Each group posts a link on its group page to show where they meet. Some chat areas need an additional registration at that area, others do not. 

Many of our Originating Groups have used Chat for years to create a close knit community of like minded readers. If your group uses Chat, It is a great way to develop interesting online discussions in a safe environment. 

We have a general AIM meeting room available for ALL members at THIS LINK:
Book Clique Cafe Chatroom Link

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Supporting Our Shopping Mall:
In order to meet our members preferences, we go out of our way to avoid using any Advertising Links directly at this WebSite.

 But reality is, there are costs associated with this community to keep it running. We have to pay for a good server and any updated features that are of interest to the groups. We believe it is important to have an area where readers can safely interact with others in literate and friendly discussions. 

We created our "MALL" to make it easy for supportive members to buy books and other essentials in life. We keep all advertising links on the Mall Page. Any sales generated via our links, earn a small commission. 

If you already intend to make a purchase, it doesn't cost you anything additional to start that purchase with one of our Mall Links. You are helping us to SERVE  you and Continue a Community that

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AIM
Using AIM©, AOL Instant Messenger For Chats


Overview: AIM allows you the ability to instant message any of your friends at the click of a button anytime you are online and talk instantly one on one with them. You or your friends do not have to be AOL members to use this feature, you simply need to download it to your computer! It has numerous features which include: setting up chat rooms, sending instant messages, live talk, privacy controls, a news and stocks ticker, as well as complete customization!

If you already have AIM on your computer, you may need to upgrade. Earlier versions of AIM for both MACs and PCs didn't have the chat room feature.

What is AOL Instant Messenger

Downloading and using AIM, AOL Instant Messenger:

Step 1. Where to download:

AOL Members choose this link to download AIM: Registration for America Online Members

NON AOL Members choose this link to download AIM: Select a Screen Name!

Once you have a screen name and password make sure you write them down so you don't forget. :) You will need your password to sign on to AIM. :)

Step 2. Downloading process
When you click on the download link, it will give you a file download window with the box checked save to disk, just click ok. The file will then download to your C: drive. The downloading time is different for everyone so just be patient till it finishes...Great time for a cup of coffee or tea:) Once the file is finished downloading, sign off AOL.
( Caution ) Make sure if you have any other programs open you close them before you install AIM.

Step 3. Installation process
To Install AIM follow these steps....go to the Start button, click on it, choose FIND, now click on find files and folders. The Find: All Files window will pop up. In the name and location tab add the following info, in the Named section type in AIM95.exe

In the Look in: section make sure it's on your [C:] drive, if the C: is not showing click on the down arrow and the drop down scroll will appear choose the C:

Now click on the Find Now Button, it will list the AIM95 file at the bottom of the window.

Double click on the AIM95 file name, you will get a message telling you that this will install AOL Instant messenger, do you wish to continue, click YES, this will start the installation process ...

AIM will install an Icon on your desk top and will also add an icon in your start up, located on your start up task bar, both icons are a yellow man. If your computer doesn't set up an AIM Icon to your desktop, see Step 7. Special features

Step 4. Using AIM:
You must be online to use AIM either using your Internet Service Provider (ISP) or AOL.

Sign on to AOL or to your Internet service provider (ISP), once you are connected you can click on the AIM icon to open, enter your screen name and password if required. Once you are logged in, your AIM personal buddy list will pop up on your screen. At the top of your buddy list window, you will find three tools: My Aim, People and Help. It is in these tools where you customize your preferences, and add buddies to your listing, if your buddies have AIM and they are online and have AIM open you will see them appear in your listing as online. To add buddies click on list setup, and at the bottom click on the man and + sign to add a buddy. You must use the same name that your buddies used to register for AIM.

Step 5. Book Group AIM chat rooms:
Your individual Book Group in most cases will be using an AIM Chat room with a specific name for all your assigned chats. There is an easy way for you to save a particular chat room to your desktop for easy access if you plan on coming back to the chat room more than once.

While you are in the chat room, click on File and then Create Shortcut. AIM will create a shortcut for you on your desktop where you can one click in the future to gain instant access to that particular chat room after logging on to the Internet/AOL and logging on to AIM. If you have your AOL or Internet screen maximized so you cannot see your desk top, minimize your screens to open the chat room on your desk top, if you want your AOL back up than minimize the chat room, than maximize your AOL window, then click on the chat room on bottom the task bar to open the chat room again....

Step 6. Chat Room Preferences
Once you have entered a chat room, you can set up your chat preferences. To do this, go to the taskbar and look for View. In View, scroll down to Edit Chat Preferences, or use your Alt + E, and click. Your preferences window will open up with several different options inside it. If you prefer not to hear the sounds of incoming and departing people in the chat room, simply go to the tab that says Buddy Chat >sounds and then change your preferences. To change your font and color settings, go to the tab that says General. You will also find other options inside that tab. Take some time to browse through the different tabs and options available to become acquainted with the preferences area.

In the chat room, you can enlarge your font, bold, italicize, and underline what you send to the chat window, as well as insert links. AIM also has an emoticon feature with several different expressions you can use while chatting. If you want to Instant Message (IM) someone in the chat room, click on their name in the box and click on the button that says IM. An IM window will open up for you to talk privately, and not in the chat room. To ignore a person in the chat room, highlight their name and click the ignore button. If you want to talk live, click on the person you wish to talk live with and then click on the talk button. The info button will give you information about the people in the chat room. To find out more about them, simply highlight their name and click the info button. If you prefer to not have the window at the bottom of the chat room that says Hot Chats and would like a larger screen for the chat room, there is a button where you can take those chats off of your screen and it is a button that says Less. Click on Less to remove those extra chats, and the button will then change to More, which you click again to have those chat links come back.

You can save a particular chat room to your desktop for easy access by clicking on File on your taskbar and then Create Shortcut. AIM will create a shortcut for you on your desktop where you can one click in the future to gain instant access to that particular chat room. For any more help on the chat room features, simply click on help at the top of your chat room window.

Step 7. Special features
Logging chats:
AIM does not automatically log chats, after the chat, while the chat room is still open..., can go to edit in the task bar, choose select all, than go to file and choose save, decide where you want to save the file on your system or choose the AIM95 folder, than give the file a name, it will save the chat room text to your hard drive. When you open it, the file will open the text as a web page, copy and paste the information to another document if you choose. :)

Setting up a your own chat room:
Once you have signed on to AIM, go to the list setup tab, click on buddies, then click on the add buddy icon on the bottom (man with + sign) add your AIM screen name. Then click on the online tab, your name will be showing as online, click on your name, than go to the bottom and click on buddy chat icon, you will get a buddy chat window with your name in the invite section plus it will also name the chat room starting with your name , click send ..now you are ready to play, have fun. :)

Large Chat Room Text:
If your chat room text is too large, go to view on the task bar, click edit chat preferences, click on the General tab and go to Text magnifications change it to a lower setting, click apply, then OK.

To create an AIM Desktop icon...go to my computer on your desk top (icon of a computer), click on the C: drive, than click on Program files, than click on AIM95 file, locate the yellow man click on it, than right mouse click, you will get a drop down menu, choose create a shortcut. it will make a shortcut to aim icon, click on this new icon while holding down the mouse button drag and drop it to your desktop.

Quick Tips for Getting Starte


AOL Instant Messenger is Copyright © 1999 America Online, Inc.

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Last Revised: April 15, 2001
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