How to Make Shapes on Meebo

Making shapes in Meebo is possible by using any traditional computer keyboard.

Meebo is a free online chat application that allows you to talk with other Meebo users and friends from around the world in real time. Using Meebo is simple and only requires an Internet browser, but also has the ability to load in profiles of other messenger accounts you have -- adding to your Meebo contacts. Making shapes in Meebo chat is possible by using a traditional keyboard as Meebo accepts all alphanumeric characters while using the service.

Instructions

1. Open your computer's default Internet browser (such as Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome or Internet Explorer) and visit Meebo's official website (meebo.com).

2. Sign in to Meebo or create a new account from the home page to begin using the free online service. While signing up, connect additional IM and messenger accounts to add more contacts to your Meebo buddy list. Once you log in to Meebo, you have access to your account and Meebo buddy list as well as available online contacts.

3. Double-click on one of your Meebo contacts in your messenger list using the left-click button on your computer mouse. This opens a new IM window to begin chatting with a friend.

4. Click "Start," "All Programs," "Accessories," "System Tools," "Character Map" to open your computer's existing character map -- giving you access to all of the available shapes and characters you have on your computer using your keyboard.

5. Browse through the available characters by clicking the drop-down menu next to "Fonts" and finding the font you would like to use. Once you find a shape to use in Meebo, double-click the icon of the character and press "Copy" near the bottom of the character map.

6. Return to the Meebo chat screen and press "CTRL," "V" to paste the character shape during an instant message with a friend. Press "Enter" to send the character or shape.

7. Use "ALT" symbols and characters as shapes when chatting by holding "ALT" and entering numbers on your keyboard when chatting. Online resources such as Ted Montgomery (tedmontgomery.com), Alt-Codes (alt-codes.net) and Alt-Codes (alt-codes.org) feature free extensive lists of alt codes, shapes and symbols available during IM using Meebo and other messenger services.

Tips & Warnings

• Use traditional fonts when creating symbols and shapes when chatting with others -- as many messenger services only load the fonts available for each individual user. Using a unique font may result in poor communication with the person you are chatting with if she does not have the same font installed on her computer.

References

• Meebo: Home Page

Resources

• Ted Montgomery: Special ALT Characters
• Alt-Codes: Alt Codes List of Alt Key Codes Symbols
• Alt-Codes: Alt Codes List (All Symbol Codes)