Chat Software Recommendations for 3.7

[sweeps78]

I've been looking at a lot of different chat software out there to integrate with my forums. There's just a ton of great looking ones out there! Some of them free, some of the I have to pay for. Paying for one isn't a big deal to me, so long as it is worth the cost. I'm not really looking for a tight integration, more of one that when I click on "chat" in the title bar, a new window will pop up.

That said, I'm reaching out to the .org community with a question.

What chat software would you recommend getting that will definitely work with 3.7?

[Swampfox]

Flashchat, price is right ($5), integrates easily, and can show who is chatting on the main forum page

[Shanj]

You name it I've tried it!

$5flashchat - Integrates with vb. Your script only. Nice -has voice, design features. Not enough features for me. Some report as unstable.
123flashchat - Integrates with vb if you buy script - pricey. Also hosted. Lots of features but you quickly run into buying 'extras' and it doesn't come across as reliable. I got different quotes for feature requests all a bit messy.
Chatblazer - $20pm/ or buy script. Good. No vb integration, clunky layout, very good features. Multiple rooms, can control access by usergroup, picshare, mini whiteboard, moderated chat etc. Fairly stable. Voice is add-on and expensive.
Talkingcommunities - $40pm excellent voice, integrated browser, whiteboard. Only one room, multiple in development.
addonchat $75pa - Neat textchat with design features, good for backup.

Ive investigated and tested practically everything else around over 3 years! Around 100 different chats!

My recommend is Visichat. Newcomer on the market very keen, excellent fast actually intelligent support!!!!
Integrates with VB $95/ $200. This allows complete custom design. Alternatively hosted version from $15 -- $80pm depending on concurrent users.

Masses of features ALL INCLUDED no hidden extras! Full demo on site + admin demo.
Multiple rooms, control access per user, (per usergroups in dev. but this is for hosted w/o vb integration; if you vb integrate use vb usergroups) Guests, registered users etc options.
Voice incl. handsfree, webcam, text, avatars, transcript, picshare, fileshare, the usuals (smilies font etc) Private chats in separate windows/ private voice. Typing indicator, mic indicator, who's online indicator - members list up to 100 most recent joined on tab.
Design is compact and user friendly, very intuitive. Admin interface ditto with loads of options to toggle stuff on/off. Hardly needs documentation as it's good interface design.
I want a few more features which they are doing this month like option for mod control on who speaks, better integration for mp3, mod leading browser page.

They also do a basic 3D room, a site support messenger etc.
Also I'm talking to them about a desktop instant messenger for me.

I'm very happy with them but would like to make it clear that in recommending them highly after all my long searches I am NOT a member of www.gchats.com the company, nor do I get commission for recommending them! Just a satisfied client. I was meaning to write in about them but was busy then saw this thread.

[KW802]

There is also Flasherize.

[Shanj]

Flasherize looks cute. If money is tight, this is a reasonable option for a text chat.
No webcam. No voice.
No transcript except for admin.

Private chat is clunky - you have to fill in the exact name of user in a form to request chat instead of clicking user's name.
URLs have to be specially configured on a button to be clickable.
Private chat / URLs would make this a fiddly slow chat to use.

But can design to fit your site and has standard features.
Basically a nice text chat that integrates with VB.

Could be one to watch if it develops.

[Alfa1]

Flashchat has several addons for vbulletin integration, like who's chatting on forum home and vbadvanced.

[sweeps78]

Thanks everyone! I haven't checked out Flasherize or Visichat yet, so I'll do that right now

In the meantime, has anyone heard of (and/or had experience with) flashcoms?

http://www.flashcoms.com/

what are your thoughts on them? They look like they have a nice package. Kinda pricey, but like I said before, the money isn't really an issue. I'm more concerned with having a straight forward and intuitive interface for my community which I really like about flashcoms. I'm talking to them now about integration with vBulletin and they seem to be dancing around that question a little bit. They said they have an integration module for vBulletin and it works great, but I specifically asked about 3.7 beta 3 and they didn't answer that question...

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Hey Shanj,

I'm checking out visichat right now. It looks really sweet! The first thing that I noticed though is that it is embedded in the page. Is there anyway to get it to open up in a new window by itself (not within a vBulletin page)?

[Shanj]

Originally Posted by sweeps78

I'm checking out visichat right now. It looks really sweet! The first thing that I noticed though is that it is embedded in the page. Is there anyway to get it to open up in a new window by itself (not within a vBulletin page)?

Yes no problem it does full page.
It's just default as embedded.
Dunno how you do it as I have a hiosted version and Majid the cute guy who runs it does it all for me. But he'll tell you how.

--------------- Added [DATE]1200674652[/DATE] at [TIME]1200674652[/TIME] ---------------

Flashcoms looks very good. I think it's a very close deal between visichat and flashcoms.
It's not as simple as the other comparisons. Needs a detailed check.
I will go through them both and send a report.

[Romeos Tune]

Hi Shanj,

How is the integration with Visichat for VB? It says on their site that it's possible but do they charge extra for this or is it built in or will they just do it for you if you purchase their product?

Thanks!

[Shanj]

I was quoted $50 to do it for me if I bought the code.

But I ended up opting to duplicate the accounts instead for various complicated reasons to do with running a specialised project.