How to Chat With Everybody on a DSi

Close your Nintendo DSi and power it off, and then remove whatever game cartridge is in it. By default, the DS loads the inserted cartridge, so if you have anything in it you won't be able to access chat. Turn the game system back on and wait a few seconds while the built-in DS software loads. Press "A" on the "No game inserted" warning screen to advance.

Remove the stylus plastic pen from its slot in the base of the DSi and use it to tap "PictoChat." This opens the DSi's built-in text and picture chat program, which immediately displays four chat rooms -- A, B, C and D. This is where you need to do a bit of coordination with your friends to use the DSi's chat features fully. For one, the Wi-Fi connects peer-to-peer with people who are close by, so how many people you can chat with depends on how many people are close to you. On a bus, for example, anyone with a DSi is within range and can chat, but you can't chat with your friends across the world, since the DSi doesn't use the Internet.

Tell your friends to open PictoChat as well. As long as everyone is within about 65 feet of one another, you'll all be able to see each other in the chat room. Have your friends choose the same room as you, and wait as the list of people in the room fills up. You can chat with a maximum of 16 people at the same time, including yourself.

Tap the letters you wish to type with the stylus or draw a picture in the space on the top half of the screen. Tap the "Send" button when you are finished typing or drawing to send the message to everyone in the chat room. You can't private message on PictoChat, so by default your messages go to everyone present.