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ast3r3x
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Free Instant Chat

Post by ast3r3x »

I was hoping somebody would be able to turn me on to a free chat (preferably flash based, but a java applet could do). I am writing a forum, and just thought it would be neat to have a live chat. My hoster 1and1.com gives me a java applet, which amazingly isn't slow, but it's ugly as sin. It doesn't fit with the look of my site AT ALL. Because I don't think there is a way to override the CSS in the chat page (because that is why CSS is great, the further in the document you are the more precedence you get) and I'm sure some of the coloring and stuff is hard coded into the java applet, would anyone like to recommend a free chat I could customize the look and use?

Wow, major run-on sentence.
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feyd
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Post by feyd »

you could create a semi-live chat in php, using some creative iframes (to hide the refresh) and javascript to populate the browser window...
ast3r3x
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Post by ast3r3x »

feyd wrote:you could create a semi-live chat in php, using some creative iframes (to hide the refresh) and javascript to populate the browser window...
I may have to do that. I'll need to learn javascript though, I started getting into it like 3 years ago, but stopped. I need to learn it anyways, as the forum I'm creating is a little feature lacking without javascript.

Wouldn't it become a real bandwidth hog to constantly keep checking if a new message has been entered and constantly refreshing? Though I'm not sure it would be any different with flash or whatever.
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hawleyjr
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Post by hawleyjr »

Check out flashkit.com I haven't been there in a while but they have a massive resource of flash programs and programmers.
ast3r3x
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Post by ast3r3x »

Thanks, looks like that may be able to help me :)
penguinboy
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Post by penguinboy »

Flash is the devil.
You could try Jpilot.
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Joe
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Post by Joe »

Yeah well Jpilot are looking for cash. The demo versions suck as a demo notification message pops up every time the user types a message.
Draco_03
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Post by Draco_03 »

penguinboy wrote:Flash is the devil.
You could try Jpilot.
Flash == 100% comlpiancy on all browser (with the player)
Interaction with end-user(with animation) (dhtml is nothing compare to the l33t power of flash)
etc etc etc

Flash is awesome.
Denying it, it's like.. using only tables to do a website
8)
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Joe
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Post by Joe »

Well personally I think using flash would also suck as not everyone has the required files to play multimedia online.
Draco_03
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Post by Draco_03 »

if your using ie 6 you have it...
and if you don't have it.. You re missing a whole bunch of stuff on the web

If the site is directed to a group of people that will not likely have flash then I agree.
otherwise.. I don't
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Joe
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Post by Joe »

Well yeah I guess you have a point. Also, I thought I would mention. Not all IE6 users have these files. Multimedia is a different stream all together.
ast3r3x
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Post by ast3r3x »

If anyone cares (I'll pretend :wink: ) I've decided to go with AgChat

http://www.flashkit.com/movies/Applicat ... /index.php

It's pretty good, small, and relatively fast. I do like that I can change the graphics so it will fit to my site.

My site... http://forums.intouch04.com/chat.php

I do dislike that you can pretend to be others, but it will do, not like I plan on this being used a lot.
penguinboy
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Post by penguinboy »

Draco_03 wrote:Flash == 100% comlpiancy on all browser (with the player)
I don't care how compliant it is I don't download the player.
And there are thousands of other poeple just like me.
So if you use flash your going to miss out on some traffic.
Draco_03 wrote: Flash is awesome.
Denying it, it's like.. using only tables to do a website
What?
Draco_03
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Post by Draco_03 »

penguinboy wrote: I don't care how compliant it is I don't download the player.
And there are thousands of other poeple just like me.
So if you use flash your going to miss out on some traffic.
Well my friend sorry to tell you that but your the minority.. A TINY LITTLE minority. There's almost more NS4 user then ppl with no flash player.
And go make a quick search on stats you'll see..

Almost everyone does HAVE the player.
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feyd
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Post by feyd »

quit arguing, or I lock this thread.
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