The chat function doesn't work in the current version of Limewire. I suppose if you really wanted to chat, you could try to find an older version, but then you'd probably have to be lucky enough to try to chat with someone who also had the older version!

If you have dial-up internet and cannot be connected all of the time, I understand. If I were you, I would disconnect when you need to. If someone is downloading a file that they can only get from you, they can try to connect to you later or find a different source. That's just my opinion.

Good Luck