Feedback And Suggestions

[Zero Tolerance]

The program wouldn't go anywhere if i didn't have fresh ideas pointed out to me every so often, so feel free to drop a suggestion or 2 in this thread, or comments if you desire :)

Notice: This is not a support thread

Thanks,

- Zero Tolerance

[sv1cec]

Well, this is not new to you, but I thought that I should remind you about it. Being so much older than me, I have to act as your consiousness.

LoL

[Zero Tolerance]

For a second there i thought "what the hell?", didn't see what you were talking about, then i noticed your message title ;)

Don't worry, i havn't forgotten about it :)

- Zero Tolerance

[oldengine]

2.3 is installed and all appears well. Will provide end user feedback as it comes in.

Why are smilies random rather than fixed? Ten is enough and these should be prioritized in the order set in the VB control panel smilie manager.

Need option to not use "Status" - takes up frame space. I have removed it, but there may be a better way than hacking it out. In the interest of saving space in the right hand panel, I have also condensed "Current Users:" and "Send Pvt Msg" to keep items on one line. (More space for user names.)

Is there a way to assign a specific skin to the chat? (One with smaller font sizes.)

Out on the main forum page (FORUMHOME template), where you see "No one is currently inside vBChat" or the names of those users that are in chat, it would be good to see which users are in specific permanent rooms. Probably an intensive code challenge, but only a suggestion. A link from there to these specific rooms would be good as well. I use four permanent rooms, so these and the default would make up five different user lists and links.

The admin (User #1) should have the option to enter or leave the rooms unnoticed. (Stealth mode!)

[sv1cec]

2.3 is installed and all appears well. Will provide end user feedback as it comes in.

Why are smilies random rather than fixed? Ten is enough and these should be prioritized in the order set in the VB control panel smilie manager.

Need option to not use "Status" - takes up frame space. I have removed it, but there may be a better way than hacking it out. In the interest of saving space in the right hand panel, I have also condensed "Current Users:" and "Send Pvt Msg" to keep items on one line. (More space for user names.)

Is there a way to assign a specific skin to the chat? (One with smaller font sizes.)

Out on the main forum page (FORUMHOME template), where you see "No one is currently inside vBChat" or the names of those users that are in chat, it would be good to see which users are in specific permanent rooms. Probably an intensive code challenge, but only a suggestion. A link from there to these specific rooms would be good as well. I use four permanent rooms, so these and the default would make up five different user lists and links.

The admin (User #1) should have the option to enter or leave the rooms unnoticed. (Stealth mode!)
I second the admin's stealth mode, it's quite interesting.

[yinyang]

Any possibility of an integration with vBadvanced where a module can be made that shows who's in the chatroom?

[spence2]

Thanks again, ZT, for all your hard work on this!

By way of a new feature ... I'd love to see "Chat Events".

Here's the idea:

1) A user wants to schedule a chat based on a given interest or topic (or for any reason).

2) They pick a name, date & time for this chatting "event".
(for example ... "Chevrolet Lovers Chat" ... March 1, 2005 ... 7pm pst)

3) Either they enter this event via a Chat Calendar or in an "Scheduled Chat" announcement forum.

4) Users can "sign up" for this event (limited number of "slots" for those who wish to participate if server crash and burn might be an issue).

Typical uses might be:
Members who want to discuss a particular interest, current event, cause, "club" meetings, chats with an "expert" ... etc.

This is a rough sketch of something I'm certain you & others can improve. 'Hope it's an idea you like and might consider.
:rolleyes:
Thanks!

[Zero Tolerance]

I may make the option to choose permanent smilies instead of random ones, you will have the choice to choose between the two, some may still want random :)

As for skin, it uses the skin that the user has selected, this will remain as is, full integrating into the vB system is one of the main good things about this chat.

I believe showing which room a user is in isn't required on forumhome, it isn't like WOL shows where they are on forumhome, perhaps a page on vBChat listing all users then showing which room they are in? This would be more perferable for some and doesn't mean more queries on forumhome :)

Stealth/Invisible .. sounds cool, anything that sounds cool i'll probably do :D

@ spence 2 - Sounds good, little dry on what this is exactly and in detail, if you provide that i'll be sure to give it thought :)

- Zero Tolerance

[spence2]

@ spence 2 - Sounds good, little dry on what this is exactly and in detail, if you provide that i'll be sure to give it thought :)

Thanks. I'll try to elaborate a bit more.

Let's say I have a forum based on music, and I have a member named Joe, who is crazy about the blues. He would like to chat with other members of the forum who share his interest -- specifically, those who really like B B King.

Now imagine that it was possible for Joe to go to a forum named "Chat Meetings" or "Chat Events" or "Scheduled Chats" ... or else a calendar by one of those names. His purpose would be to announce a date and time for everyone interested in chatting about B B King to "meet up" in a chatroom. He might name the chat he was scheduling: "B B King Chat Event".

Entries might look like:
Name.....................................Date..... .....................Time........................C hatroom
"BB King Chat Event".............March 3, 2005...........7pm (pst).................The Blues
"Usher Chat Event"................March 12, 2005.........4pm (est).................Hiphop
"Aerosmith Chat Event"..........April 3, 2005.............8pm (cst)..................Rock

People interested in "Chat Events" could go to this forum or calendar (via a link on the vB Chat interface) and check out the scheduled chats (or schedule one of their own).

By the way, there is already a Calendar Hack (https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/showthread.php?t=63460) that allows users create an event or to "register" to attend an event already posted. I'm unclear whether all users or only admins are allowed to create eventd (we would need registered users to create events). Something similar to this (with the "fixes" you will find in the thread) might work ... as it allows users to respond, saying that they intend to attend the posted event ... that is, for our purposes, that they will join in the scheduled chat.
OR ... conversely, something along the lines of the Announcements forum created by vBJukebox ... something to list the scheduled chats.

Whatever works. I bow to your expertise!

Of course, it would be great if all those who responded could be sent a pm or email to remind them of the name, date and time of the scheduled chat. Perhaps it might even be wise to try to limit the number of responders, those who intended to chat at once due to server load ... I dunno.

That's the general idea, anyway. to allow users to create & announce scheduled chats in some organized fashion.
If I haven't been clear, I will be glad to try to be more precise. And, no doubt, others might have some great ideas for this as well.

Thanks again for your consideration.
Spence

[Zero Tolerance]

Hmm, so they set a date for a chat room to be automatically created, and users can click to attend, wether they do or not is upto them.

I suppose it would make things easier for organizing, however the server output on this could be deadly, lets say about 20 chat rooms every hour were auto created, the cron job would go nuts.

It's a nice suggestion, however i think good old fasion "notice(s)" in the calender/forum for people to read would work better, and it wouldn't mean the cron job has a heavy load to deal with.

- Zero Tolerance

[sv1cec]

I can't see the point in this. OK, someone schedules a room meeting and members book their places. Of course, we all know how well members keep up with their internet schedules, but anyway. Then what?

We can still do the same thing with the Calendar, and avoid the unnecessary coding. You post the schedule for the meeting in the Calendar, together with the Chat Room it will be in, and that's it. If someone wants to get in the chat for the meeting, he can consult the calendar. Why do we need a separate thing?

Sorry, but I do not see the usefulness.

[spence2]

See? U guys are thinking like programmers! :)

Me, on the other hand, I was thinking it would be up to the scheduler (user) of the event to create the chatroom when the event took place. After all, he/she has the responsiblity because they scheduled the chat. I agree that no cron job or automated chatrooms are necessary.

What I envisioned was more of a cosmetic thing, I suppose, more along the line of a calendar or announcement forum strictly for the scheduled chats ... with the ability for users to "sign up" or "register" for the chat. Yes, it's not a given that they will remember ... or actually "show up" ... but the whole point is to give the people interested in specific topics the ability to hook-up in a specific chatroom at a specific date and time. And, yes, it would be great if the people were sent a reminder shortly before the scheduled chat began, but again, if that creates too much coding, that could also be the responsiblity of the user who scheduled the event.

I've witnessed this sort of additional organization turn dead chatrooms into something really useful for sites.

An "event" creates a buzz. It targets a specific subject matter. It attracts a particular group interested in that subject matter. It's about adding some organization if desired. It's about increasing the odds of your chatrooms being useful to more than just a particular set of habitual chatters.

And, yes, my notion is that it would best be an add-on for the hack.
Thanks again!
Spence

[Zero Tolerance]

Correct me if im wrong, but wouldn't a designated forum for posting "chat events" just be as useful, and requires no additional hacking?

- Zero Tolerance

[spence2]

Personally, I think a modified version of the calendar (something along the lines of the hack I posted a link to earlier) would work great because it has the ability for a more organized response ... however, users (not just admin) would have to have the ability to post an event for it to work correctly. It's hard to make heads or tails out that mod (https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/showthread.php?t=63460) because of all the "fixes" provided to an unsupported mod.

Having said that, yes! a forum could work as well.

As I said, this might be able to be accomplished by cosmetics with the ability to add a link to the vB Chat interface. But since vb.org insists that even add-ons include some change to the code, it would seem to be up to you to provide this option for those who would have no idea how to tie it all together.

And as for "correcting you" ... that ain't gonna happen, my friend. After all ... you da man!

[tomf688]

* I'd like some mIRC options included, such as moderating the room (so that no one but admins or moderators could speak, for example) and giving people "voice".

* The ability to add chat moderators that are solely moderators inside the chat, and can kick/silence people.

Thats all for now. :)

[oglsmm]

Add the default vBulletin Navbar header thingy to the vBchat window.

[JirQUEST]

is this the place to report bugs? coz i got at least 2 in my list.

[sv1cec]

is this the place to report bugs? coz i got at least 2 in my list.
No bus here, go back a step and start a new thread.

[zachlee]

Add the default vBulletin Navbar header thingy to the vBchat window.

I just installed vBChat, and I too would like to add my forums default navbar to the top of vbchat.

[ximcix]

Suggestion:

Put the random smiley list in a scrollable iframe so that onl the smiley frame will have a horizontal scrollbar as opposed to the enter window.

Some of my smiles are wider than the usual 16x16 so if i have a total of 30 smiles set to appear in the list & several of the wide ones are included, the vBChat window will have a horisontal scrollbar.

[LeeWicKeD]

is it possible to open the chat beneath the forum-navigation like in the older vbchat versions? or is this not possible because the chat uses jave/i-frames ?

[sv1cec]

Folks, the navbar can be added, but why do you want it there? The whole idea behind opening vBChat inside a separate window, is because it is a different program than vB, in the sense that you can't use it to browse the forums. Why would you want someone to jump from the chat, to the UserCP, or the Calendar? It doesn't make sense. That window is dedicated to chatting, if the user wants to browse the forums, or to go to any other area, all he has to do, is minimize or close the chat window. The window from where he entered the chat, is still open behind the chat window.

Or you can have vBChat open inside the same window the user was before. Why open a new window, if not for a specific task?

Of course, this is my idea, not all of you have to agree with me.

[LeeWicKeD]

@sv1cec: i know what you mean, but my users asked me to add the navbar. in older versions the chat was opened in a new window, with the navbar...can you tell me how i can do this again, because nearly all of my users want it ;)

[zachlee]

Folks, the navbar can be added,

Great! How?

[sv1cec]

Edit your CHAT template and find

$header

add below that:

$navbar

If that doesn't do the trick alone, then in vBChat.php find:


$navbits = array("vBChat.php?$session[sessionurl]&do=main" => "vBChat");
$navbits[""] = "vBChat";


Right below that, add:


eval('$navbar = "' . fetch_template('navbar') . '";');


That should do it.

Rgds

[mykes]

I posted this in a separate thread. Belongs here.

Terrific mod/hack!

I modified the openwindow() to do screenwidth/2 and screenheight/2 and turned on menu and resize/status bar. MUCH BETTER.

The usernames should use the color scheme like elsewhere on the boards. That is, moderators in red, CMs in green, admins in blue, and so on. (These are the colors I've assigned on my boards to usergroups).

Text box should let you enter more than one line if you copy/paste from some other source.

Should be allowed to be in 2 rooms at once

Users in vbchat on right should be more condensed. Just username would be nice, but with dropdown menus to do things like send private message, ban, etc.

Ban isn't noticable. When my mods/cms try it, they can't tell someone is banned. Users banned still show up as if in channel.

Invisible users show up visible on the index.php page if in vbchat.

More...

Would be nice if it checked PMs. If a new one comes in, it'd be nice to know it. Since this mod is updating things all the time, it would work terrifically.

I'd do this as a text link at the top: "You have x PMs, 1 new" with maybe some highlight if a new one comes in.

[sv1cec]

I posted this in a separate thread. Belongs here.


Terrific mod/hack!

I modified the openwindow() to do screenwidth/2 and screenheight/2 and turned on menu and resize/status bar. MUCH BETTER.

The usernames should use the color scheme like elsewhere on the boards. That is, moderators in red, CMs in green, admins in blue, and so on. (These are the colors I've assigned on my boards to usergroups).

Text box should let you enter more than one line if you copy/paste from some other source.

Should be allowed to be in 2 rooms at once

Users in vbchat on right should be more condensed. Just username would be nice, but with dropdown menus to do things like send private message, ban, etc.

Ban isn't noticable. When my mods/cms try it, they can't tell someone is banned. Users banned still show up as if in channel.

Invisible users show up visible on the index.php page if in vbchat.

More...

Would be nice if it checked PMs. If a new one comes in, it'd be nice to know it. Since this mod is updating things all the time, it would work terrifically.

I'd do this as a text link at the top: "You have x PMs, 1 new" with maybe some highlight if a new one comes in.
Invisible users? When was that feature implemented? Did I miss something?

I second your suggestions, have implemented some of them in my site, but I think the PM thing will be kind of difficult, to implement. To do it, another iframe will have to be created, and reloaded every now and then, maybe not as often as the other frame but at least once every three minutes. That will make the system slower.

[G3MM4]

Would be great if you added an uninstall script.

[LeeWicKeD]

Edit your CHAT template and find

$header

add below that:

$navbar

thank you very much sv1cec! this helped me a lot! *thumbsup*

lee

[Diana Notacat]

Alot of these missing features are why I'm stilling using my own script instead of vBchat... but I really want some of the features vBchat has that my chat doesn't... Darnit! So here's what I'd love!

The ability to add chat moderators that are solely moderators inside the chat, and can kick/silence people.

I'd also love to have this! Prefferably to set exactly who has chat admin controls instead of all admins/staff having them... because some of my admins I wouldn't trust with controls in chat but they are excellent on the forums. o_o;;

Should be allowed to be in 2 rooms at once

Also something I would like, since I'll be in the main room and then want to roleplay or have a private conversation in a protected room. This is why I have multiple chats afterall. If worried about being grr to the database, you could have userperms set on who is allowed to be in more than one room.

Users in vbchat on right should be more condensed. Just username would be nice, but with dropdown menus to do things like send private message, ban, etc.

You could put the usernames in a dropdown next to the post textfield... Automatically the menu would be set to "Post in Room" and then you can scroll it to "Send Pm to : username"

Ban isn't noticable. When my mods/cms try it, they can't tell someone is banned. Users banned still show up as if in channel.

Indeed. At the very list a "User has been booted!" message would be handy when someone gets kicked.

I second your suggestions, have implemented some of them in my site, but I think the PM thing will be kind of difficult, to implement. To do it, another iframe will have to be created, and reloaded every now and then, maybe not as often as the other frame but at least once every three minutes. That will make the system slower.

In my chat system I added a PM chat to the text bar frame, so only when they update/send a new message it'll show if they have a new PM from the boards. Something like that would be pretty handy. Or what about putting a check in the actual message frame where messages apear? Just a note [you have a new pm!] if you have one, and nothing if you don't!

And now my own wants!

CHAT LOGS!
Even if it's just for admins, viewable chat logs... Either they aren't there for me to easy view or I'm blind as a bat! Including logs for protected rooms and display of private messages for uberadmin access only. (if they want a REAL private conversation they can use PMs or aim! sometimes people abuse these and you need logged proof...)

ADMINCP RIGHT IN CHAT
I'm lazy and I hate having to go all the way to my admincp to do the chatty things. Would be nice to have a little link with all the in chat related admin stuff. (ban/unban, chat logs, clear, chat, ect)

CLEAR SCREEN
Would be so lovely to clear the chat screen of old messages, or simply when a admin wants/needs to. This has been handy in my own chats.

CHAT BOOT
A simple boot out of chat instead of a full ban...

"ANONYMOUS" CHAT COMMENTS
For admin or chat mod use only, they can post a message without showing who the actual admin was! Which admin did the action should be shown in logs only. The chat messages in my rooms have been great for telling people to behave officially, and for a little narration action during games/events.

OPTION TO SET "CHAT NAME"
Since I use my chats for roleplay, it'd be super to be able to set the viewed name! Even more awesome if users can be in more than one room. Happy yay roleplay fun for Diana. Users love this, and of course, their name in the online list will link/show their real profile so no one tries to "trick" anyone.

If I could combine the two chats... ultimate power! Muahahaa!

[sv1cec]

CHAT LOGS!
Even if it's just for admins, viewable chat logs... Either they aren't there for me to easy view or I'm blind as a bat! Including logs for protected rooms and display of private messages for uberadmin access only. (if they want a REAL private conversation they can use PMs or aim! sometimes people abuse these and you need logged proof...)

Chat log is already there, as my ... humble contribution to this hack.

Check this: https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/showthread.php?t=77672

Rgds

[blueuniverse]

A feature I'd quite like to be able to see along with most so far is for chat rooms to only be active if a mod is present. This is quite important as my site is teen orientated and paedophiles are a very present threat. If you could integrate this in a future version, I'd be more than grateful. :)

[mcyates]

AUTOMATIC OPENING CLOSING OF CHAT ROOM!!!!

Would this be possible?

Simply what i would like is an extra options which shows the day of the weeks like this

Mon
Tues
Wed
Thur
Fri Sat
Sun

Then next to each date you put a time the room would open and a time you want it to close, ike this

Day: Time Open / Time Closed
Monday 0800 / 0900

As i don't want my chat room open all the time, just on days when football is on. What would be quality is if you could have the forum open and close up to 3 times per day like this:

Day: Time Open / Time Closed Open / Closed Open / Closed
Monday 0800 / 0900 1200 / 1300 1800 / 2000
Tuesday 0800 / 0900 1200 / 1300 1800 / 2000
Wednesday 0800 / 0900 1200 / 1300 1800 / 2000
Thursday 0800 / 0900 1200 / 1300 1800 / 2000
Friday 0800 / 0900 1200 / 1300 1800 / 2000
Saturday 0800 / 0900 1200 / 1800 2100 / 2300
Sunday 0800 / 0900 1200 / 1300 1800 / 2000

But there could be a problem with the times from around the world, so if possible make all times work round a certain time zone so the chat room opens at the same time for everyone.

What do you think?

Its a fantastic hack btw.

[Sarizaddi]

I just posted a response to a question about how to make the opening window smaller. The snippit I posted was a slight modification off one I found elsewhere, but I thought I'd ask that the snippet be made a permanent addition to the setup process. Allowing vBChat to be resizable, i got an alwful lot of thank yous, and since then also a ton of PM requests asking me how I did it, so it just seems to be a very wanted feature.

[ranger2kxlt]

I know i suggested this on a thread, but just found this area...

1) In the Navbar show how many users are in the chat vBChat (#ofusers) so...vBChat (3)

2) Next to the "post" button in the chat room have a drop down with all the commands they can use?

3) If they try to close the window with the "X" or ALT F4, a pop-up comes up telling them to use the /exit (this may not work due to some browsers not allowing iframe) but i noticed that if you use the X or alt f4 your name stays in the whos chatting list for about 5 mins before it takes you off, if you use the /exit command its instant

Thats all for now :-)

[Hyrel]

<i>Users in vbchat on right should be more condensed. Just username would be nice, but with dropdown menus to do things like send private message, ban, etc.
</i>

would be really nice.

Ability to scroll up would make my users very happy campers

[offline]

I would like to be able place ads in my chat that refresh when the site refreshes so I can rotate the ads.

[King Kovifor]

When messages are done they shouldn't be opened in a new window. Same window for the chat room. Just my two cents (BTW I don't have this installed.)

[FamilyCorner]

I would love to see an invite feature. Would be great if you could invite everyone that is currently online for an impromptu chat!

[mustang_lex]

REMOVE HISTORY!! Its annoying. I went into my chat this morning 9:00am and the last chat was 10:00pm last night.

Is this impossible because its all saved on a text file?

[oldengine]

Do NOT remove history. Many of my users want MORE history. In fact, It would be good to have a read-only daily transaction file for subscribers to have access to.

Permissions: Please add more items to the permissions list:

Group Can Create Custom Rooms? Yes No
Group Can Join Custom Rooms? Yes No
Group Can Join Permanent Rooms? Yes No

We have Registered users and Subscribers (paying users) but unfortunately, unless the registered users are constricted, they have no incentive to become subscribers.

For example:

Group can send chat messages? Yes No (read only)

[winlya]

For example:

Group can send chat messages? Yes No (read only)
==>yes,sound good.
on some group (Admin,Smod or VIP) they need have special char.can you add it ?
EX:with admin they have bold and alway using color red in his text.

[oldengine]

It would be good to have the option of private messages ON/OFF in the vBChat Options of future versions.

[mustang_lex]

I think what this hack really really needs???

SUPPORT!

[ROTPAR]

Hi,

It would be great if there would be an option to start vbchat on a special day each week...becaus eI would like to open a chat night every saturday night. This would be a great feature :)

[---MAD---]

maybe be able to mute someone and unmute if your a mod/admin.

i also think there needs to be a system alert so that a box comes up eg:

Admin/mod types:

/alert please stop swearing!

That makes a box alert everyone with a sound showing "please stop swearing!"

I also think maybe there should be a way to change the background colours manually for each user.

[Cynnder]

maybe a sound to notify users that are in chat that someone else has joined or left??? that way they can stay in there all day, waiting for others?

[JirQUEST]

erm. i tried to ban a user from my chatroom, but he bypassed the ban instead. continued staying inside. had to delete his username to get him out.

[---MAD---]

erm. i tried to ban a user from my chatroom, but he bypassed the ban instead. continued staying inside. had to delete his username to get him out.

yeah i think there should be more commands

eg:
Ban - bans person from coming back in the chat
Unban - lets the person come back in the chat
Mute - Stops the person from sending messages/private messages
Kick - Kicks person from the room
Unmute - To unmute basically lol.
/alert - Alerts everyone in the room with a pop up window like i explained above

I also think there should be sounds for enter and leaving.

Maybe enter sound would be a bell.
Exit sound would be a door shutting.

Hope they help :P

[Joe Mac]

I would like to see a moderated/celebrity chat feature. So someone is the lead and questions are sumitted in a orderly fashion. A moderator approves the question, which the guest of honor answers.