My experience was a little different.  Only my initial attempt to get logged into the chat room was problematic ... but I think it was my fault.  I hit the enter key before the chat software had completely downloaded and, like Jimbo's initial experience, my ID was logged in but I was locked out.  So, like Jimbo, I created an alter-ego (dentondoc2).  I was able to successfully log in with the new ID and play a bit ... others were not present at the time so I made a few text entries to see if they showed in the display screen. (This trial was around 6:00.)  BTW:  Both logins used the same password, but was not my password for the board.

Prior to the 8:00 jam session, I again logged in.  Again, no one was present so I decided to talk to myself.  In one window (browser session), I logged into chat as "dentondoc."  In another, I logged in as "dentondoc2."  Then I began alternating messages from one session to the next to confirm that the text entered in one window was actually displayed in the other window.  It did, but there was a noticeable delay.  

One interesting result is that the chat software was not confused by two sessions running from the same IP address.

One suggestion for help keep conversations participants more separated.  It DOES help if you pick something other that the default color (black) for your text.  Other than Jimbo and I, everyone else logged on used black.  It took a bit longer to decide who was talking (had to look to the left to see who the poster was in addition to reading the message).

Generally, the intermixed conversations were not too bad.  We often had this on the old chat board.  It does take a bit of practice, but it does help if you use a "lead in" (e.g., name, id or something) if you want to direction your text to someone in particular.  Last night we had maybe 4-5 people participating, and sometimes 3 different conversations running.  It takes practice, but if you are a multi-tasker you can get through the "confusion" easier.

I should be able to be on chat on Friday by 9:00.  I'll check in to see what's shaking.

dd

BTW:  I logged into chat around 8:00 last evening and logged out about 10:00.  The only interruption is connection I experienced was by my choice (I needed to move from one computer to another.)