Omegle
 | |
Type of site | Instant messaging |
|---|---|
| Created by | Leif K-Brooks |
| URL | omegle.com |
| Registration | No |
Omegle is a website used to communicate with random anonymous people across the internet via chat. The site was created by 18-year old Leif K-Brooks of Brattleboro, Vermont and was launched on March 25, 2009.[1][2] The name "Omegle" is an alteration of the word omega (as in the expression alpha and omega, "everything") apparently to echo Google or similar names. The blue part of the logo contains an omega (Ω) turned diagonally.
How it works
The service randomly pairs up users online into one-on-one chat windows, where they can chat anonymously; using the handles "You" and "Stranger".[3][4] Either party can disconnect at any time.
History and usage
At launch, the service garnered around 100 concurrent users. As of April 2009, the total population online at any one time reaches approximately 3000, and the site was reported to be getting 150,000 hits per day.[5] The use of the mandatory chatnames "You" and "Stranger", the oddly chipper "Talk to Strangers!" slogan of the site, and prompts such as "Your conversational partner has disconnected" at the end of a chat, appeared to fuel the popularity of the site.[6]
The kind of chat that Omegle popularized is called anonymous chat, stranger chat, or 1-on-1 chat. The concept of anonymous chat may not have originated with Omegle. Comparisons have been made to early 1990s AOL.[7] It also has some similarities to the website A Nice Chat,[8] established before Omegle.[9] However, on A Nice Chat users are prompted to select a nickname which others will see, whereas on Omegle users are simply known as "You" and "Stranger", reinforcing the anonymity of the conversation. Other one-on-one chat sites include GettingRandom[10] (select chatter by gender), Iddin[11] (select chatter by country) and SeekSpeak[12] (specify subject to discuss).
Anonymous chat is rapidly becoming part of the Internet culture. Blogs [13] have been set up to post transcripts of humorous conversations that took place on Omegle. Members of community site 4chan have successfully trolled anonymous chat sites and posted transcripts of their experiences online.
There are no restrictions on age or indeed any other user characteristic; the site does not appear to censor contributions through any profanity filter. Omegle currently does not appear to block spam bots. The spam-issue can easily be resolved though, through a newly created Omegle client, Omegler[14]. An Internet safety blog reviewed Omegle and the author cited that "on my first chat I was offered Crack and then cursed at with plenty of F’s showing up"[15] . There are still few warnings on the site and the BBC has commented, "This is not a site for younger users." [16]
See also
References
- ^ Brooks, Leif (March 30, 2009). "Welcome to the Omegle blog!".
{{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|1=(help) - ^ "Omegle chat program can help you find love anonymously". April 14th, 2009.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ http://inventorspot.com/articles/omegle_chat_complete_strangers_26234
- ^ http://blogoscoped.com/archive/2009-03-30-n43.html
- ^ Quenqua, Douglas (April 26, 2009). "Tired of Old Web Friends? A New Site Promises Strangers". The New York Times.
- ^ {{cite web | last = Thomas | first = Owen | title = Omegle! This Teenager Wants You to Chat with a Stranger | publisher = Gawker | date = Mar 31 2009 | url = http://gawker.com/5192447/omegle-this-teenager-wants-you-to-chat-with-a-stranger
- ^ http://www.switched.com/2009/04/02/omegle-com-lets-you-anonymously-mess-with-complete-strangers?icid=sphere_blogsmith_inpage_engadget
- ^ http://www.anicechat.net/
- ^ http://www.techtree.com/India/News/Omegle_Chat_With_Strangers/551-101577-643.html
- ^ http://www.gettingrandom.com
- ^ http://www.iddin.com/
- ^ http://www.seekspeak.com
- ^ http://omegle.tumblr.com
- ^ http://flamefusion.net/Omegler
- ^ http://www.noparentleftbehind.net/2009/03/omegle-chat-with-complete-strangers/
- ^ http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/click_online/8114672.stm