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Look here to see how to integrate java chat into VB
I have seen lots of requests for hacks on this and people going about things using scripts, when all it really needs is a new set of templates. I can't believe no-one else has done this (or have they?!)
First of all, download your default style, then import it in as a new style and rename it to Chat. You also need some chat html code, and there are plenty of free ones out there, but you really need one that starts automatically. There is a free one at www.conferenceroom.com, but I have just bought jPilot which is great and so configurable. Find it at www.jpilot.com
Go along to either site and scoop the html. Then, in your chat template, you need to edit forumdisplay. What you do is basically scoop out the middle and insert the chat html.
Get rid of:
$forumdisplay[forumslist]
$forumdisplay[threadslist]
and also the <icon key> and <forum rules> bits and generally dress it up how you want. Then it simply a matter of pasting in the code. You need other stuff from jpilot to be uploaded to your site. You also need to register ($50) if you don't want "Unregistered Copy" coming up every time you send a line. Mine looks a bit like this:
<table cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" border="0" width="100%" align="center">
<tr>
<td align="center" valign="top">
<applet name="jchat" codebase="../jIRC" archive="http://www.yourdomain/jirc_nss.zip" code="Chat.class"
width=700 height=400>
<param name="CABBASE" value="http://www.yourdomain/jirc_mss.cab">
<param name="ServerPort" value="6667">
<param name="ServerName1" value="irc.webmaster.com">
<param name="Channel1" value="ChitterChatter">
<param name="AllowURL" value="true">
<param name="AllowIdentd" value="true">
<param name="WelcomeMessage" value="Welcome to chat">
<param name="RealName" value="">
<param name="NickName" value="abc_{$bbuserinfo[username]}">
<param name="UserName" value="">
<param name="isLimitedServers" value="true">
<param name="isLimitedChannels" value="true">
<param name="IgnoreMOTD" value="true">
<param name="DisplayConfigNick" value="false">
<param name="DisplayConfigNickPass" value="false">
<param name="DisplayConfigChannel" value="true">
<param name="DisplayChannelPass" value="false">
<param name="DisplayConfigRealName" value="false">
<param name="DisplayConfigServer" value="false">
<param name="DisplayConfigPort" value="false">
<param name="DisplayConfigMisc" value="false">
<param name="BackgroundColor" value="99,132,181">
<param name="TextColor" value="black">
<param name="TextScreenColor" value="white">
<param name="ListTextColor" value="blue">
<param name="TextFontName" value="Arial">
<param name="TextFontSize" value="12">
<param name="LogoBgColor" value="white">
<param name="BorderVsp" value="5">
<param name="DirectStart" value="true">
<param name="FGColor" value="black">
<param name="InputTextColor" value="black">
<param name="InputScreenColor" value="white">
<param name="TitleBackgroundColor" value="black">
<param name="TitleForegroundColor" value="white">
<param name="IgnoreServerMsg" value="true">
<param name="IgnoreModeMsg" value="true">
<param name="AcceptCommands" value="false">
<param name="FieldNameChannel" value="Choose a room:">
<param name="FieldNameConnectNow" value="Connect">
<param name="FieldNameTitleTopic" value="">
<param name="FieldNameConfig" value="Change room">
</applet>
</td>
</tr>
</table>
And that's it! You can choose any irc server and just make sure the channel you use is unique (or tap into your favourite one). The highlighted bits are important. To make sure your users log on with a unique name, I added abc_, and they will automatically log in as their board name, so I would go in as abc_Trog. Using this method seem to solve the problem of spaces, so Joe Bloggs would be abc_Joe_Bloggs.
Once thats done, you need to set up a new forum and simply set it to use the Chat style and there you have it. I have mine set as a locked forum so that that none of the posting buttons appear but you could always edit the other templates in Chat. I have also set the permissions so anyone not registered or they are logged out cannot see the Chat Forum. I have also removed the Log Out button in the header so they can't log out once they are in the forum.
JPilot is so flexible, you can have it set up so your users have as much or as little control as you want. You do have to pay, but $50 is worth it. I cannot show a demo because my board is private, but believe me, it works a treat.
Have fun
First of all, download your default style, then import it in as a new style and rename it to Chat. You also need some chat html code, and there are plenty of free ones out there, but you really need one that starts automatically. There is a free one at www.conferenceroom.com, but I have just bought jPilot which is great and so configurable. Find it at www.jpilot.com
Go along to either site and scoop the html. Then, in your chat template, you need to edit forumdisplay. What you do is basically scoop out the middle and insert the chat html.
Get rid of:
$forumdisplay[forumslist]
$forumdisplay[threadslist]
and also the <icon key> and <forum rules> bits and generally dress it up how you want. Then it simply a matter of pasting in the code. You need other stuff from jpilot to be uploaded to your site. You also need to register ($50) if you don't want "Unregistered Copy" coming up every time you send a line. Mine looks a bit like this:
<table cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" border="0" width="100%" align="center">
<tr>
<td align="center" valign="top">
<applet name="jchat" codebase="../jIRC" archive="http://www.yourdomain/jirc_nss.zip" code="Chat.class"
width=700 height=400>
<param name="CABBASE" value="http://www.yourdomain/jirc_mss.cab">
<param name="ServerPort" value="6667">
<param name="ServerName1" value="irc.webmaster.com">
<param name="Channel1" value="ChitterChatter">
<param name="AllowURL" value="true">
<param name="AllowIdentd" value="true">
<param name="WelcomeMessage" value="Welcome to chat">
<param name="RealName" value="">
<param name="NickName" value="abc_{$bbuserinfo[username]}">
<param name="UserName" value="">
<param name="isLimitedServers" value="true">
<param name="isLimitedChannels" value="true">
<param name="IgnoreMOTD" value="true">
<param name="DisplayConfigNick" value="false">
<param name="DisplayConfigNickPass" value="false">
<param name="DisplayConfigChannel" value="true">
<param name="DisplayChannelPass" value="false">
<param name="DisplayConfigRealName" value="false">
<param name="DisplayConfigServer" value="false">
<param name="DisplayConfigPort" value="false">
<param name="DisplayConfigMisc" value="false">
<param name="BackgroundColor" value="99,132,181">
<param name="TextColor" value="black">
<param name="TextScreenColor" value="white">
<param name="ListTextColor" value="blue">
<param name="TextFontName" value="Arial">
<param name="TextFontSize" value="12">
<param name="LogoBgColor" value="white">
<param name="BorderVsp" value="5">
<param name="DirectStart" value="true">
<param name="FGColor" value="black">
<param name="InputTextColor" value="black">
<param name="InputScreenColor" value="white">
<param name="TitleBackgroundColor" value="black">
<param name="TitleForegroundColor" value="white">
<param name="IgnoreServerMsg" value="true">
<param name="IgnoreModeMsg" value="true">
<param name="AcceptCommands" value="false">
<param name="FieldNameChannel" value="Choose a room:">
<param name="FieldNameConnectNow" value="Connect">
<param name="FieldNameTitleTopic" value="">
<param name="FieldNameConfig" value="Change room">
</applet>
</td>
</tr>
</table>
And that's it! You can choose any irc server and just make sure the channel you use is unique (or tap into your favourite one). The highlighted bits are important. To make sure your users log on with a unique name, I added abc_, and they will automatically log in as their board name, so I would go in as abc_Trog. Using this method seem to solve the problem of spaces, so Joe Bloggs would be abc_Joe_Bloggs.
Once thats done, you need to set up a new forum and simply set it to use the Chat style and there you have it. I have mine set as a locked forum so that that none of the posting buttons appear but you could always edit the other templates in Chat. I have also set the permissions so anyone not registered or they are logged out cannot see the Chat Forum. I have also removed the Log Out button in the header so they can't log out once they are in the forum.
JPilot is so flexible, you can have it set up so your users have as much or as little control as you want. You do have to pay, but $50 is worth it. I cannot show a demo because my board is private, but believe me, it works a treat.
Have fun
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