Chat?
 

Any thoughts of opening an IRC channel?

good idea ... although it may get a little too crowded and flooded with questions from time to time ;)

sounds good

How do you start one?

Well, first you find an IRC network that you like and then, depending on it's rules, etc., you can create a channel. I've created two for the sites that I run on the OpenProjects.net network.

Are you familiar with Internet Relay Chat (IRC)?

How much are you paying for access, or does it cost? Fill me in a little bit and maybe I would look into it further.

Regards,

OpenProjects is a free IRC network dedicated to technology. What I liked about them was that they don't allow Porn or Warez, so all the channels are technology related. Just open any IRC client (like mIRC) and use "irc.openprojects.net" for the server name and then any nick for your name and you're in.

The only cost comes in providing a web based chat client. JPilot is probably the most popular and runs $50 bucks. There's even a hack that will tie it into vB [link].

If you're not that familiar with IRC, I'd be more than happy to set everything up for you. And give me a few minutes and I'll have a working copy running on my new board, so you can see what it looks like.

Ok, I've got a working demo in place. It's a little clunky, but I've got it working enough that you can see it in action.

Step One - go to http://www.npug.org/forum

Step Two - log in with "tashby" as the username and "npug" as the p***word

Step Three - after you've logged in, go to this URL: http://www.npug.org/forum/chat.php

In a few minutes, you'll be logged into the #npug channel on OpenProjects.

A few things to keep in mind. It's a java app, so you'll be promted with a box to approve the install of the java applet. Also, this really only works with Windows machines.

It is not bad, but I am not sure that it is worth $50.00 :) - Do you know of any free based clients that could be used here? Most of the money I receive is placed back into ViperHost to maintain/pay for the servers :).

I agree. I did find a free option and hack here. It appears to be the same client vBulletin.org is using. :)

A free one is phpMyChat, which works quite well with mySql support.

Something I've noticed though, a lot of interesting stuff gets lost in a chatroom which could have been posted in the forums.

2 cents given.

but isnt there a free mirc hack chat in vb.org? i thought i saw 1 im not sure though..

True, but there's always Chat Logs. :) It's kind of a pain, but you can setup a bot to monitor the channel and create a log. That log can then be posted and through PHP rendered for the web. Again, it's a bit of a pain, but it can be done.

Saintdog, just compile an ircd on your own server, it is free software. Since you have your own hosting company, getting some space isn't a problem.

Although very true, I do not with to punish others on the server due to the fact I am running IRC here at vBT. There is an alternative and that is probably what will be gone with a little later on :).

    I like the idea though you'd have to pay for it. If you use OpenProjects it's free but doesn't have the same security as most IRC Networks. But like I said, it would be a great addition to these forums.

Can you elaborate a bit more on this? I use OpenProjects extensively, so I'm wondering what security risks are present that aren't on other IRC networks. :confused:

An IRC chat is a great idea. It could provide quick answers to little questions not worth putting on the board. I think you should implement IRC on your server SD. That way I can use it too. hehe ;)

Why not find an IRC server and just register a room...? Unless I missed a bunch in this thread (Probably did).

Not to speak on SaintDog's behalf, but a room has been created but he hasn't officially announced it yet. :)

Oh..any chance on getting the info?

Masby, you may post the information if you wish, although at this time, I will be unable to visit the channel or over-see it.

I already have a channel setup and everything!

Server: irc.undergroundcandy.net
Channel: #vBT

It has been up about a week now. Maybe not that long though.

Nai,

SaintDog setup a channel shortly before you posted about your channel. I wasn't sure if he had decided to move the channel or what, so I didn't say anything.

Since he did say to post the information, here it is:

Server: irc.openprojects.net
Channel: #vbt

Software
Eventaully, vBT will have a Java Web Based client, but in the meantime you'll need to use a standalone IRC client.

- Windows IRC Clients: mIRC and Pirch. In addition you can use a program called Trillian that manages your instant messaging services as well as IRC.

- Mac IRC Clients: ircle and Snak.

- Unix IRC Clients: IrcII, Epic, and B itchX (can't provide link due to censored word options on this forum).

- PalmOS: You can even use IRC from your PalmOS Handheld using either IRC for PalmOS or
upIRC. Both applications are shareware and can be found on PalmGear.

- If you use a different platform then search for "platform IRC client" in Google to find an IRC client.


How To Connect
All you will need to know what server and channel to join to enter the chat room, or channel as they are called on IRC. In almost any client you can use the following commands to enter our channel:

/server irc.openprojects.net RETURN
/nick your nickname, or handle RETURN
/join #vbt RETURN

I went in, but no one was there :/

Hmm, I was in there most of the day and I'm in there now. :)

Now I am in there. I didn't know he had set one up. Cool :)

www.mirc.com ?

just go to a server join it.. (doesnt really matter what.. u could try the one they gave u)

then type /join #vbtemplates (or whatever you want the name of the chan to be..)

now type this:

/msg chanserv register #vbtemplates <password> <chan description>

of course dont include the '<' '>'

then your chan is registered and belounges to you and to you only.. now some irc servers provide bots (for free) to see if they have any type:

/msg botserv botlist

now if they have bots you'll see a list of bot names.. choose the one you want and type this:

/msg botserv assign #vbtemplates <botnick>

now the bot will join ur chan..

to change the channel topic double klick in the chat field..

if you need any help with this I'd be happy to help you..

I know of a chat server that uses ChatSpace which is a client. I think the URL was www.hotspace.com or something like that and not sure if it's free or not.

erm......

lets make sure ya'll get it:D

irc = free

mirc = free

server = free

unless you want your own server or anything.. you can just download mirc.. free irc chat client.. join a server and make a chan.. and all for free.. now that aint to hard is it?:p

I have a room of my own on a server I got for free. I can get the name changed and that for vBt. Only if SD or the mods want it though. And when you connect to any chat room on this server it uses a java client. So no payment needed.

Just use mIRC! Just create a channel on some popular server like IRCnet or EFnet. If you want to be sure you in command on the channel make sure there are some bots on it that give total control to certain people. (mods/admins)

WapFlap, he wants a java client for people who don't have chat clients. To be forced to download a program to get into a chatroom isn't so user-friendly.

why not jsut make a channel and tell people to join it via irc....its free.....

Still, people may not have irc clients. The convienience of a java client is more then downloading a program.