New Computer Hope Live chat

I have recently completed setting up the new Computer Hope Live chat. So far this new system looks to be a vast improvement over the earlier chat system one of the biggest features is the ability for the system to let users know when no one is available to chat with them and to try an alternative solution. In addition to this feature the system also supports logging, enormous amounts of stats including stats of the user you're talking to (helpful to know when need to know OS/Browser), and many more great features.

The system is web based, running PHP/MySQL, so should not run into the issue with people not being able to connect because all running on the Computer Hope server. Accessible through the main online help section ( http://www.computerhope.com/oh.htm )

If any of the forum members who have been participating on the forums would like an account to help volunteer with assisting chat users please let me know either through this post and/or through a PM and I'll set you up an account.

I'll go ahead and volunteer.
I'll send a PM as well, just because I feel like it.
Sounds like a good improvement, I'll check it out later on.

[Moderator]

Now, should a chat operator log in the same as usual at www.computerhope.com/chat.htm or by using a IRC client, or should an operator login somewhere else?

I'll go ahead and volunteer.
I'll send a PM as well, just because I feel like it.
Sounds like a good improvement, I'll check it out later on.

Account setup, PM sent.

Now, should a chat operator log in the same as usual at www.computerhope.com/chat.htm or by using a IRC client, or should an operator login somewhere else?

The above URL actually hasn't been converted to the new convention yet. Hopefully should get it done with the monthly updates today/tonight. Operators will login through: http://www.computerhope.com/chat

As far as I'm aware at this point however I'll need to manually setup the accounts for any operators who wish to participate. Once setup you'll have the ability to adjust your account to whatever you wish.

It turns out I have experience of this same chat system on another site, so I actually know what I'm doing.
Yay.
Anyway, thanks for setting me up on it.

I'll go ahead and volunteer too!
I'll send a PM as well, just because to remind you.
Sounds like a good improvement to ComputerHope

Awesome.
The more the merrier and all that.

[Moderator]

I won't be available on a regular basis, but I'd like to be set up with an account, so I can help out when I'm available. (School leaves no uncertainty...)

[Moderator]

You know, the new system (though its automatic refreshes sometimes stop your typing) is quite nice

I think its much easier for the user side, being that its not multiple person and all.

The Auto Invite feature does get you more users, letting them know that someone is actually there waiting for them

I've already sent some of the users a PM discussing this, but for any other new users who are interested in participating in the Computer Hope chat I kindly request that you be part of the Computer Hope community (participate on the forums (few dozen helpful posts))  before I manually setup you an account.

Regarding the typing getting stopped while typing, I completely agree that it can be aggravating, especially if it erases what you were typing. Here are a few things that have helped me on this issue.

1. Have it running in it's own window, if in a tab section of the window seems to cause issues. Looks like the developer is aware of this issue, possibly a fix sometime in the future.
2. Check the box for "Alert of Visitors". This will alert you anytime someone visits the page (not requesting help yet), but for me has resolved the issue of loosing the chat window/chat text.

[Moderator]

I was on another computer trying it out for a first time, and I was having the problem (using FireFox)
Then I tried it on my laptop (using FireFox) and it worked fine. I dont know why.
But then again, I dont have Quicktime on my laptop, so it doesent make any noises, just gives me a little box at the top of my screen asking to install missing plugins.

But, its very VERY worth helping someone and gettings a big "Thanks!" in reply. (Even if you cant help them, and end up directing them here)

I would like to help too!

Should I send a pm too?

I would like to help too!

Should I send a pm too?

PM sent with login information.

Works great for me, but I had a few issues.
Can't recall them now but I'll post them if I run into more later.
I agree, lots of people say thanks, more than on the forums.
It's more personal too, but the auto greeting can get on some people's nerves.
I had a guy ask me if I was a bot as well.

[Moderator]

I didn't get a PM.

I didn't get a PM.

Oops totally sorry my fault.   I created it but didn't obviously send the PM after it was created.

Some helpful tips when using the Computer Hope chat.

• Click the Live Help! to start monitoring for users requesting to chat.
• Click the users name to view full information about the user including operating system and browser.
• If you join another chat to watch or add your own comments and wish to leave make sure to click the [un-conference] link and not the [STOP] link.
• Click the Data tab to view other operators chat transcripts and other useful information.

On a personal note I seem to have an overall better experience running it under IE, Firefox seems to reset what I'm typing a lot more.

The second one down is one I did not know of, that will be useful.
I've not had my typing reset so far, but I do have issues with viewing what they are typing, namely that it doesn't work.

The second one down is one I did not know of, that will be useful.
I've not had my typing reset so far, but I do have issues with viewing what they are typing, namely that it doesn't work.

Yeah, I disabled that feature because after experimenting with it I thought it would be confusing to the user to view a window that shows what you're typing on top of everything else and apparently you can't have one or the other. I'll see if I can get it to work, if not maybe just re-enable it and if disable it if I get complaints.

Ah, OK.
I was wondering what was up with that, works fine elsewhere.
Not a problem, just wondering why it didn't work.

I notice in the logs everyone seems to say nullstring near the end . . . anyone care to explain this?

It's going pretty well on the chat. Tody i've helped 1.5 hour, and it was quite fun

To all chat operators. Please do not check the "Auto Invite" option or send invites over a layer or popups. This will send a pop up chat request for each user who visits a Computer Hope page with a request to chat. Not only can this be annoying for users who are not looking to chat could also also be confusing for visitors. Please allow the visitors to go through the online help steps in locating an answer to their question and if they exhaust those options to chat with someone.

Finally, the type preview has been re-enabled.

so far I've been helping 2 + ppl a day after work and before class and I've only needed help on two problems win 98 and a cd drive.

and its just fun and feels good to help ppl get their problem solved sooner

It is really useful, and helps people get their problems resolved sooner.
Having other operators online is useful so you can conference with them if you don't know the answer, thus helping them out or getting help form them.
Admin . . . sorry about that, I didn't mean to enable it.  Now I always check it's still disabled when I log on.
I know it's annoying and I wouldn't enable it intentionally.
And the type preview is useful, thanks for enabling it.
Not the be-all and end-all though, so if it causes problems then disable it again, it's not that important to me, just useful in certain situations.

[Moderator]

I hate to resurrect this thread; I feel like an idiot. I lost the PM with my login details somehow, and I can't find the place to operator login in chat. May I have the link again, please?

[Mod & Malware Specialist]

I can't even log in as someone who needs help.  I have no idea how to login to the chat in any way, shape, or form.

I hate to resurrect this thread; I feel like an idiot. I lost the PM with my login details somehow, and I can't find the place to operator login in chat. May I have the link again, please?

Link is here - http://www.computerhope.com/chat/login.php

I can't even log in as someone who needs help.  I have no idea how to login to the chat in any way, shape, or form.

Go to http://www.computerhope.com/oh.htm and scroll down.
It's fairly easy.
By the way, who's the new operator, "DarkMSTie"?

She's someone who helped a lot in the old IRC chat and was recently asking to get into the new chat. She's also been on the forums since 2005 but hasn't made a post yet. Mostly into helping via chat.

[Mod & Malware Specialist]

Ohhh, I've been going to the http://www.computerhope.com/chat/login.php page this whole time.  I didn't realize that was only for operators.  Silly me.

Hey everybody, Yea I'm not much of a forum poster, I'm better suited for the real time chat system, so I'll help out there as much as I can. 



This makes my first post! 


Alexandra

Whoa! She speaks.

Wow, it lives!
LOL.
Welcome to the forum at last.
I need to start frequenting the chat more, I haven't really been on it much recently.

[Mod & Malware Specialist]

I feel like you've all been hiding a secret world from me...

[Global Moderator]

Woah, DarkMSTie

Posts:                1 (0.002 per day)
Date Registered:    October 05, 2005, 10:45:26 AM
Last Active:             Today at 11:01:23 AM

What happened in between October 2005 and now?

I feel like you've all been hiding a secret world from me...

We have.
We hid it in plain view.

Woah, DarkMSTie

Posts:                1 (0.002 per day)
Date Registered:    October 05, 2005, 10:45:26 AM
Last Active:             Today at 11:01:23 AM

What happened in between October 2005 and now?

They prefer chat to forums.
Scroll up a way.

[Mod & Malware Specialist]

What happened in between October 2005 and now?

We don't talk about that, Carbon...

what is a pm?

what is a pm?

Private message. Can also mean many other things: http://www.computerhope.com/jargon/p/pm.htm

how do you log onto it I am novice here

how do you log onto it I am novice here

Traditional users who are looking for computer help can easily get to the chat in from the below link. However, unless an operator is available to chat you'll be unable to chat.

http://www.computerhope.com/oh.htm

If you're a computer expert and looking to create an account so you can assist Computer Hope users I'd need to create you an account before you could log in.

how do you check how many hours youve put into the chat thing?? i found it once but now i cant

how do you check how many hours youve put into the chat thing?? i found it once but now i cant

Click the Operators tab, then the history link, and specify the from and to dates to display total time online and/or chatting.

sweet.. thanks