Simply highlight "Type your name here," and type in your name in its place. Then hit "Enter." The Chat Room will open automatically to the "Purplehunt" Room. You can then choose to go to other rooms, but the form will open to the "Purplehunt" Chat Room by default. If you click on the "float" button in the upper left, you can minimize the hosting window, and float the Chat form independently as you move around the site. When you get ready to close the Chat room, merely hit the "float" button again.
Some of you have requested that there be set up a forum for discussing clues and contests. Well, here it is. If it seems helpful, we will make an effort to refine it. My suggestion would be that you contact other like-minded sleuths who are seeking to solve the contests, and set up times for discussions. (Purplehunt is not responsible for the content of the conversation that takes place in any of these chat rooms. You will have to police it yourselves.)