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php forum AND chat area ... please read.

Posted: Wed Apr 18, 2007 1:49 pm
by deltatango5
I've been in search of a way to "duplicate" the functionality and basic approach to a mini-chat and mini-forum that can be found on a site: http://www.mediainspiration.com. The area in question is called "interact". I'm trying to build a "portal" site for friends/family to keep in touch with people stationed in Iraq and abroad.

The site is put together in various div tags/iframes. You can look at the actual isolated frame via this link I provided ... http://www.mediainspiration.com/hompage ... teract.htm

Again, I want to respect the rights and original design of this well constructed site, whereas I want to duplicate the functionality and apply my own look and feel and overall design. Any pointers/suggestions or willingness to assist would be ultra appreciated.

Thanks so much for all and any assistance you can provide and enjoy your day!

Des

Posted: Wed Apr 18, 2007 1:51 pm
by RobertGonzalez
Is this a coding question or a request for volunteer work?

RE:

Posted: Wed Apr 18, 2007 1:59 pm
by deltatango5
This is a question of wisdom I would say more than anything. I'm at wits' end trying to find a solution for the code snippet(s) that can steer me in the right direction. I'm just looking for some peace of mind and wise intuition from the ultra PHP coders out there. If somebody is willing to assist in building/dev these areas, I'm all ears to learn more and/or work with.

:)

Posted: Wed Apr 18, 2007 2:41 pm
by RobertGonzalez
They are using iframes and such, which in my opinion should be swapped out with AJAX using DIVs for separated, interactive content areas. What they are doing is not necessarily that difficult, though it is a little less that intuitive in terms of an interface. How much of what they are doing are you trying to accomplish?

RE:

Posted: Wed Apr 18, 2007 2:52 pm
by deltatango5
Everah,

Thanks for your quick response. I'm actually looking to duplicate the functionality of the "interact" area for CHAT and FORUM and reapply my own look and feel/design/icons to what you see. I'm not particularly a well versed PHP coder as much as a designer.

This site I would like to do is for a local ORG to create and maintain communication with friends and family abroad in Iraq, etc.

What are your thoughts?

Thanks Everah!

Des

Posted: Wed Apr 18, 2007 2:55 pm
by pickle
What they've got is a simple chat board & forum. I doubt you're going to find a solution that is very close to what they've got there. You'll either have to write your own, or modify what you're wanting. Chatting & forums are quite different - I wouldn't stress too much about having both types of functionality on one page.

phpFreeChat & phpBB is where I'd start.

Posted: Wed Apr 18, 2007 3:07 pm
by bert4
I read somewhere on that forum that the site is "abandoned", and looking at the last updates of the site the company is out of business..... or has moved on...


Maybe you can try to get in contact with someone from the site, and ask them?


Otherwise templating existing forums or chat programs may do the job....

RE:

Posted: Wed Apr 18, 2007 3:11 pm
by deltatango5
I've attempted several times to contact them in the past few months and to no avail. With that, I've turned to the likes of you and your fellow php killers ...

Thoughts outside of that? Templating? .....

Posted: Wed Apr 18, 2007 3:21 pm
by bert4
Templating = creating a display style....

This forum (phpBB) can look pretty similar to the forum on that site....

Take a look at http://www.phpbb.com , they have a style database....

But there are other forums as well, also with adjustable looks....

You may find someone on the support forums of those free forums who would like to make a suitable template for you, and integrate it in your (existing?) site...

You can look at http://www.opensourcecms.com/ , there you find various forums, but maybe also other applications that may be useful to you...

Posted: Wed Apr 18, 2007 3:49 pm
by RobertGonzalez
There are a ton of BB's out there, many of which do the same thing. There is Invision Power Board (IPB), phpBB (what this forum runs), PunBB, UseBB, Vanilla BB (By Lussomo)... the list goes on and on. Look around and see if there isn't something that might work for you.