Windows 95/98 (Does not support 2000 yet), 
IExplorer 4.0 or Netscape 4.0 or higher (Click here to upgrade your browser) 

Pentium 100mhz or higher, 
Sound card enabled(speaker visible in bottom right corner of your windows 
taskbar) 

Microphone plugged into your computer (headset preferred, but the cheap stand ones will work o.k.) 

If you don't have a microphone, that's ok, click the Click Here for Options and select show text box. You'll still be able to chat by typing and entering text, and you'll still hear the voice of the Voice chatters. 

If your microphone doesn't seem to be working, double click on the speaker in the lower right hand corner of your taskbar, click on options, then click properties, then check the microphone box in the bottom of the tab window. Your sound volume window should now display your microphone volume. Make sure the slide for microphone volume is at least 75% of the way up. This will enable other chatters to hear you. Don't talk too close to the microphone. This will garble your voice with static. 

If any person in the chat window becomes annoying, just right click on the speaker to the left of their name and choose ignore. There will be a red cross and circle around the speaker of the chatter you've chosen to ignore. You won't be able to hear them. (nice huh?) 
(instructions from Riverton bball website: http://members.aol.com/RivrtnHwks/RHS/chat.html)