When discussing "flaming" in relation to InterChange, it makes sense to look at two meanings of the word, to make the connection between the ardent and uncontrollable nature of the comments themselves and the flagrancy with which the electronic medium asserts itself. For some teachers, a "flaming" InterChange threatens their position in the classroom and challenges their authority. The idea of the classroom as a nonflammable area seems to be desirable to many an instructor, in disregard of the fire that is raging outside of the safe and privileged setting of the computer classroom. InterChange can be an empowering experience for the students as well as the teacher. Flaming sessions tend to occur when students enter under a pseudonym and abuse the fact that they are completely invisible. During one such "flame," the other students and the instructor protected themselves and their writings by indirectly excluding the flamer from the discussion. However, in a session on the exploitation of women in beer commercials, the traditional power structures were reinforced and the exchange became hostile. The instructor incorporated the transcript of the flaming session as a primary text and had the students discuss the transcript during the next InterChange session. Used as a primary text, InterChange holds a lot of potential as a teaching tool. Teachers should not extinguish the flames but burn down the walls that separate the classrooms and the outside world where flaming is a fact of life. (RS)