Flash Chat Backend

Fyron · #1 January 22nd, 2009, 03:32 AM

Does the flash chat featured on this site connect to an IRC server, or is it running some custom backend?

Gandalf Parker · #2 January 22nd, 2009, 12:32 PM

Its more of an add-on package to the forum software. It only supports a few IRC commands. Most of its features are more java than irc. It requires logging in and uses the forum login/password for recognition.

It does support opening separate "rooms" (channels) which is great for blitz games. The rooms can be passworded. It does support "bots" altho not implemented at this time. It also has further expandability for video/sound which might be interesting but I suspect that it would have to "earn its keep" first for blitz gaming before that would be considered. Users can also open private chat windows, share files, share images, and can also send invites for private rooms (however all of that is only among people in the chat already, it does not interface those to the forum)

Some of the games at Shrapnels do have permanent channels on IRCs such as GameSurge.net with mixed results.

Gandalf Parker · #3 January 22nd, 2009, 01:17 PM

Forgot to mention, it also supports whiteboard which has wonderful possibilities for tutoring and blitzing. However the video/sound and whiteboard modules are all still listed as alpha versions at this time.

Fyron · #4 January 23rd, 2009, 12:10 PM

That is unfortunate. It's so much easier to consolidate one's chatting experience on IRC than being forced to keep open some browser-based chat client for each individual network. Extra features are nice and all, but they don't help maintain a baseline level of community participation, which is what you need to make the whole thing worthwhile. Convenience is king and all that jazz.

Gandalf Parker · #5 January 23rd, 2009, 03:50 PM

Pros and Cons. I could host an IRC server. And Im all for supporting the old standard protocols.

But many have said that this was quite convenient for them. Most of the people who would be coming to the scheduled chats are not IRCers. Using a browser feature from the forum seems to work well for them.

Fyron · #6 January 24th, 2009, 02:21 AM

There are a plethora of java and flash IRC clients out there. We've got one set up for easy access to the #SpaceEmpires channel, for example.

Gandalf Parker · #7 January 24th, 2009, 12:15 PM

I know. Ive channel-oped, as a paid position.

And we have a #dominions channel on GameSurge which is fairly active. Other games here have channels also. But Im not sure it would be worth trying to convince the average user of the benefits. Besides there is some pro/con. A full IRC has some security issues that an add-on doesnt. Particularly if the3 IRC channel "leaves the system" of the original ToS.

Im actually fairly pleased with the one they got. And if anyone falls in love with it then I mention that the "step up" from it would be IRC.