My fellow TPF Chatterboxes....

Corry · Dec 30, 2005

So....over the life of the fabulous Photo Forum, many have mentioned the idea of having a TPF Chat room. This most recent post and the temporary chat that has been set up has brought that idea back to the front. So, we are looking into it. However...These chat programs cost money...some of them cost A LOT OF MONEY!!! (as in thousands). We found one that looks decent (still need to do some testing) that's NOT thousands. But in order to implement this totally cool feature, we are gonna need to raise a bit more mula. You guys have been GREAT in helping to get us new forum software (vbulletin) and a faster server. Now, with a bit more support, we can add cool features like CHAT! So...whaddaya say? Lets support this fine forum of ours!

You can do this easily by going to your user CP and clicking on "Paid Subscriptions". One year is only $25 USD!!!! That's only TWO DOLLARS AND EIGHT CENTS A MONTH! So...all ya gotta do is give up ONE Big Mac a month! Or ONE Double Grande Latte from StarSucks!

Seriously though...we'd love to see this happen, but we need your support. If we can manage it, it would be a subscriber only feature, so you can only reap the benefits if you help support the forum you love!

Thanks all! We all appreciate every one of you!

/momspeak.

Andrea K · Dec 30, 2005

bump

will be subscribing very shortly!

Corry · Dec 30, 2005

Sweet!

Btw, y'all need to get in Chat w/Andrea...she's a hoot! :biglaugh:

Andrea K · Dec 30, 2005

core_17 said:
Sweet!

Btw, y'all need to get in Chat w/Andrea...she's a hoot!

It might just be because you're tired...

Corry · Dec 30, 2005

snoooooooorrrrreeeeeeee....huh? Wha? Oh...hi...
I'm not tired.

Lensmeister · Dec 31, 2005

As soon as I can afford it (kids presents cost a lot now) I'll be subscribing.

I have had a fair bit experience of IRC and I have written script for the mIRC program and been an op in many rooms of the years. Some site will not allow picswap rooms due to the possibility of pornographic material and other more revolting porn being distributed.

In ways of programs that host IRC there is Conference Room, IRCPlus and one or two others. They do take time to be set up with things like flood defence etc.

If anyone wants advice on setting up mIRC to connect to the TPF chat when it is up and running then ask and I'll do my best to help out.

Good luck with it.

Neil.

Chase · Dec 31, 2005

Neil,

Let's talk about that option a little and how easy it may be to run a java front-end for it here on the site. I is definitely a vaild option for us. Shoot me a PM or jump on MSN Messenger or Yahoo Messenger if you use them.

Artemis · Dec 31, 2005

I thought IRC Was easy to set up? type in a new channel name, wait for a mod to visit and then they make it...

Lensmeister · Dec 31, 2005

Chase,

Ok mate here is mostly what I know. Sorry if I tell you anything you already know.

Most IRC clients are relatively easy to set up, I have set Conference Room up on my old Laptop and spent the time confirguring it. I only had it run locally not globally (on the net) as all I used it for was to test running mIRC script that I had written.

I haven't had any scope to use Java applets at all. But that said i have known the problems that someone had in the java that is already created.

Conference room can have loads of channels (room) and auto chanservs and nick registration etc. (usualluy password protected). Conference room has a java applet attached to it.

Somewhere on one of my spare hard drives or CD or DVD back up I have a full copy of the User guide (I threw the printed copy away recently, many hundred pages I might add). You are welcome to a copy if you want.

Problems with applets that are just for general use is that they tend to have limitations. Not all computers can use them, not everyone has the most up to date software. There are many l33ts out there who like to flood and crash servers using the vulnerability of chat/IRC. I used to be on one server ans prior to defence systems being install the moron brigade used to use CTCP flooding and channel flooding to ruin everyones chatting using bots.

I have a couple of contacts on IRC that I can ask to help out setting up the system if you want. Although they are living in the Canada and UK, I am sure that emails will be answered but it may take a day or two. Failing that I can hassle/moan and gripe enough on MSN and hopefully get a reply.

Let me know how you'd like to go on.

Cheers,

Neil

p.s. Happy New Year.

duncanp · Dec 31, 2005

well that helps, good job :thumbup: how long did that take you?

Lensmeister · Dec 31, 2005

that was off the top of my head .... I have a fantastic mind for useless information ... pity the usueful stuff is hidden

duncanp · Dec 31, 2005

how long have you been programming for?

Lensmeister · Dec 31, 2005

Depends ...

Visual Basic on and off about 6 years,

Web Design about two years.

MS Excel Macros about eight years.

mIRC script about Six / Seven Years ...

Do you Program ?

Corry · Dec 31, 2005

Ok...not that I know a lot about this stuff, but a while back we had an IRC chat thingy that someone set up...it was a pain in the rear trying to get in there!