Something

<?php
	$nick = $_POST['n'];
	$action = $_POST['a'];
	//echo "i made it this far<br />nick: ".$nick."<br />action: ".$action;
	if($_POST['n']=="" || strlen($_POST['n'])<=3){
		echo "
		<div id=\"notice\" style=\"font-weight:bold;\">Nickname must be atleast 4 characters in length.</div>
		<hr />
		<div id=\"note\">Enter a nickname:</div>
		<form method=\"post\" action=\"chat.php\" onsubmit=\"send_nick(this); return false;\">
			<input type=\"text\" name=\"n\" size=\"30\" />
			<input type=\"submit\" value=\"Continue ->\" name=\"btnSubmit\" />
		</form> ";
	} else {
		echo "
		<div id=\"notice\" style=\"font-weight:bold;\">Hello ".$nick.", Welcome to the chat.</div>
		<hr />
		<div id=\"note\">Type something below.</div>
		<form method=\"post\" action=\"\" onsubmit=\"send_data(this); return false;\">
			<input type=\"text\" name=\"ctext\" size=\"30\" />
			<input type=\"submit\" value=\"Send\" name=\"btnSend\" />
		</form>
		<br />
		<div id=\"container\">
			<div id=\"head\"><b>Result:</b> </div>
			<div id=\"replace_me\"></div>
		</div>	";
	}
?>