what is a chat box and how does it work?

is there a link to the explanation.
and can i see site with this as an example?

Hello,

You can find info here...
https://help.forumotion.com/frequently-asked-questions-f5/the-chatbox-t3343.htm

Here is the chatbox of this forum...check it
https://help.forumotion.com/chatbox/chatbox.forum?

does the chatter box take up a whole page?

Not always.

If you put it on your forum index page, it will display as a small box.

thank you, i went to have a look at your link and i see there is all this stuff about /exit and /close... do my members have to know all this in order to leave a chat?
also how do i know i have an index page?

No, your users don't need to use any commands shown in admin panel.
To leave chat box, they just need to click 'Log Out' link on top of chat box.

The main forum page itself is called index page

oops sorry... can you tell im new to this?
then what is all that mumbo jumbo about?

Those chatbox commands can be used by chatbox moderators to handle/moderate users in chatbox.

gotcha!
thanx for the help! very fast too.

keep well!