How Do I Talk To People?

You can chat in 3 ways:

1 - public text chat or "Nearby Chat"

2 - Instant Messaging

3 - public or private voice chat (not available in all areas of SL)

Public chat is as simple as hitting Enter, typing your message, and hitting Enter again. Everyone within 10 meters will "hear" you. You can also /whisper (2 meters) or /shout (whole area - don't do this a lot).

Instant Messaging is private chat. Right-click a person and select "IM" or "Message" from the pie menu. That opens a chat window just between you and that person.

Voice chat is only available in some areas of SL. Where it is available, you can talk to those around you in Nearby Voice Chat, or start a private Voice Call with another person.