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Poll

Would you use the ComputerHope Live Social Chat if it existed?

Yes, definately.
20 (60.6%)
Maybe (or neutral).
10 (30.3%)
Absolutely not.
3 (9.1%)

Total Members Voted: 28

Author Topic: A CH Social Chatroom  (Read 66311 times)

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!~*:.Pink Floyd.:*~!

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Re: A CH Social Chatroom
« Reply #60 on: August 14, 2008, 01:39:33 PM »
LOL!  So, .0004% of the registered members on this site would use it?

I would've just implemented it without asking...just to see how many would actually have found it and put it to use.

Its more for before who talk to the other members alot like through PM.

Zylstra

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Re: A CH Social Chatroom
« Reply #61 on: August 14, 2008, 01:43:39 PM »
LOL!  So, .0004% of the registered members on this site would use it?

I would've just implemented it without asking...just to see how many would actually have found it and put it to use.
Haha, sneak attacks, I see how your forum works...

I think it will catch on quite fast... but the one thing that worries me is that new members will see the chat and think "Oh! Live support chat" not "Oh... socialization, something that its already obvious I dont do often."
Which, makes me wonder if its possible to have a post count based group so that members with, say, under 10 posts can not see the chat.

If its needed, I'm sure it can be done.

stevejohnson1958

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Re: A CH Social Chatroom
« Reply #62 on: August 14, 2008, 01:56:25 PM »
I suppose the admin settings can be configured to allow use only to certain membergroups...or even have a post count limit set before use.

Here's a question...

What would happen to CraftySyntax which is currently being used for support purposes?

With the advent of the social chat you plan on implementing...wouldn't it be redundant to have such a package.  I mean...if the ability to create a private room is available with the IRC program...CraftySyntax will be redundant.  Unless someone is monitoring the stats.


Here's another question...

Does LiveHelp get used that often?  Most of the time when I visit it...and I'm on the computer 18 hours a day...there's no one ever logged in...at least there's no support.  I was just wondering.

Zylstra

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Re: A CH Social Chatroom
« Reply #63 on: August 14, 2008, 02:23:52 PM »
CraftySyntax is just for support, not social chat. The chatroom we are talking about developing is mainly for social chat, not support.

The question about CraftySyntax isnt "Do people use it?" its "Do people operate it?"
We seldom have people operating. The most common operator, last time I checked (a few months ago) is Nathan.
I dont think CraftySyntax has been updated recently either.

We used to have Live Help on an IRC network, we stopped this for two reasons:
1, the web application we were using to connect to IRC for clients wasnt working right, and we couldent figure out why.
2, when we had many users (usually around 12AM PST GMT -8:00) it got overly complicated, and we didnt have enough operators at that time.

Calum

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Re: A CH Social Chatroom
« Reply #64 on: August 15, 2008, 04:07:39 AM »
I used to operate the support chat from time to time, but other than last month, I haven't been on it at all in a long while.
People do want to use it, we just lack operators for it.

kpac

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Re: A CH Social Chatroom
« Reply #65 on: August 15, 2008, 09:45:05 AM »
*Thinks kpac is an idiot*

Rawkfist85...

Since this was your first post...do you believe your comment contributed to the theme of this thread?

I think not...

Yes... Even if you do "think" I'm an idiot, you can't just barge into the forum and say it. Have a bit of respect for other people's opinions and thoughts. Thanks Pink Floyd.

Now back to the topic....

Zylstra

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Re: A CH Social Chatroom
« Reply #66 on: August 15, 2008, 09:49:30 AM »
So far it looks like this idea might take off.

I sent a rather extensive report to the Admin, who been busy recently, so that when he has time he can go through it and see what the pros/cons that I and the community (thats all of you) saw.

I did come up with an easy solution to preventing newbies from entering if we start getting a lot of users looking for support:
Create a new board, or new category with board requiring that you have a special post-count based permissions group. This way, only members with, say, 6 posts or more (this number can be easily changed) can only see the chatroom.
This might not ever be necessary... when users connect, it should be fairly easy to have a message such as: "[info] Welcome to ComputerHope Social Chat! Reminder: The Forum Rules still apply here, be respectful. Please do not ask for computer help here, this is a social chat"


CBMatt

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Re: A CH Social Chatroom
« Reply #67 on: August 15, 2008, 03:25:06 PM »
Chat permissions should be fairly simple to set.  I'm sure most of you have seen the SMF Arcade?  It's in another section of the forum, and if you wish, you can set different permissions and requirements and whatnot.  I haven't actually played around with SMF yet, but I think you should be able to set up a chat in a very similar way.
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Zylstra

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Re: A CH Social Chatroom
« Reply #68 on: August 15, 2008, 09:04:11 PM »
SMF Arcade?

I dont believe that is a feature built into SMF, that is most likely an addon.

This wouldent integrate like an addon, which makes me question how easy it would be to set a button at the top of every forum page with "Social Chat" like the Search, Profile, and home buttons up there while implementing permissions. Theres always a creative way to go about it though.

CBMatt

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Re: A CH Social Chatroom
« Reply #69 on: August 15, 2008, 09:25:58 PM »
SMF Arcade?

I dont believe that is a feature built into SMF, that is most likely an addon.

Correct, it is an add-on.

Like I said, I don't know a whole lot about SMF (I actually plan on installing it this weekend to go along with a game I've decided to start working on).  I just know that on Saviour PC, Steve has it set up so the Chat link is on every page (along with the Home, Profile, etc. links).  And although I don't know if he has any permissions set, but I'm sure it would be fairly easy to make it so only certain members are able to see/access the chat page.

Now, I don't know if you have to use a certain chat client for this (Steve might know), but I think it would be worth it to at least play around with a bit.  With a little bit of PHP and PERL knowledge, it shouldn't be hard to customize something like this.  Last I heard, Nathan was still learning PERL, but I believe he knows a fair amount of good ol' PHP.  I can't imagine it being too terribly difficult.


Even if this can't be done like an add-on, then perhaps simply setting up a link like you described wouldn't be so difficult.  Maybe it's just me, but this seems like it should be a relatively easy task.


Of course, this is all mere speculation on my part.  When I get a chance to try out SMF for myself, perhaps I'll see just how difficult everything is.
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Zylstra

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Re: A CH Social Chatroom
« Reply #70 on: August 15, 2008, 09:36:13 PM »
"Last I heard, Nathan was still learning PERL, but I believe he knows a fair amount of good ol' PHP."
Its the other way around  ;)

Well, heres how it works:

Steve installed an addon that handles chat. Chances are, its possible to enter his chat without registering first, by having a link to a page that has the chat on it. Of course, if you put that page in your SMF directory, and build a PHP script, you could potentially apply a permission group to it.

The other thing about it is, what if someone wanted to invite someone else into the chat without having to register? Just sending them a link is the easiest way.
That, and if its IRC, anyone will be able to connect to it no matter what.

There is a PJIRC Addon for SMF, which could potentially be useful, but I think it would be best to just put a bunch of web-based IRC clients in one place, and let the user decide which one to use (as well as a link to an actual client, or two, for advanced users)

I will tell you this, Chris: SMF Is a blast to manage, its definitely got to be one of the better ones out there.

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Re: A CH Social Chatroom
« Reply #71 on: August 15, 2008, 10:50:56 PM »
D'oh, I could've sworn he already knew PHP.

Anyway...like I've said, I'm against chats, but I certainly don't speak for everyone and I think a lot of our members would use it.  And really, the only way to truly find out if people will use it and if it will work properly is to actually test it out and see what happens.  You sound like you have a pretty good idea of what's going on (you certainly know more than me when it comes to forums), so I think this project is in good hands with you.  I'm sure you'll be able to figure out a way to make it work the way you would like.

And as for managing SMF...I've heard a lot of good things about it and I definitely prefer using SMF forums over other forums.  Now that I've got a domain/host/server, I've become a lot more interested in the different things you can do, especially since learning PHP/MySQL a few months ago.  And I've always been curious about the inner-workings of forums, so SMF seemed like the best place to start.  I plan on keeping my forum pretty simple, but I'm sure it won't be long before you see me begging for help on various add-ons and upgrades.  Heh.
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Re: A CH Social Chatroom
« Reply #72 on: August 16, 2008, 02:25:16 AM »
Chances are, its possible to enter his chat without registering first, by having a link to a page that has the chat on it.

Nope.... You have to be logged in to view the chat:
http://www.saviourpc.com/forums/index.php?action=chat

It's very simple to change whether guests can view the chat. Just make a slight change to the "index.template.php" file.

stevejohnson1958

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Re: A CH Social Chatroom
« Reply #73 on: August 16, 2008, 06:41:53 AM »
The chat I use was easy to integrate into SMF, as well as setting the permissions (per Membergroup).

Kpac is right...you can't log-in...if you're not a member.  Also, you can set different permissions within the chat itself.  It also syncs Admin?Moderator accounts, so they have their permissions within the chat.

The nice thing about my version of chat is the look...allowing members to set their own preferences...as well as the ability to use smileys, fonts, etc., etc.  Though it may be resource intensive...due to it being flash, it's basically not that much different from IRC.  It also blends well with the SMF default skin we use.

It also has the ability for chats to take place in private rooms, which makes it a great choice for support requests, as well.  File transfer is also available...but always remember...do you trust the person sending you the file...do you trust the file...that's where you malware protection comes in handy.

The trick is to find a chat program that can be implemented and integrated within the CH main site and/or forum.

I would've went with an IRC client for the main site (Drupal CMS), but chose to have one integrated into the forums.

I also noticed a comment about CH becoming a social network instead of a place to go for free computer help.  Based on some of the threads and posts I've seen...it's already gone there.  One of the drawbacks of having so many members...some who should be in a chat room...instead of posting on the forums...but, hey...that's me.

I look forward to Nathan's comments on this thread...and I can't wait to see where this thing goes.

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Re: A CH Social Chatroom
« Reply #74 on: August 16, 2008, 04:45:52 PM »
Personally i would not use it at all and don't think it would be a welcome addition to CH...
" Anyone who goes to a psychiatrist should have his head examined. "