[Phreak]

After a discussion in chat where some of us were discussing the proposed new chat engine, I thought I'd start a thread for people who test it out can leave feedback.

The proposed engine that DocJohn is thinking of switching too can be found here Chat Room - Join a Free Chat Room or Get Your Own Free Chat Room From ParaChat - it has three interfaces to test, Java, Flash, or html.

The single advantage of switching would be that mobiles can use the html interface, although when I tried it personally with my blackberry although it worked, I didn't personally find it userfriendly.

It does however have the choice for normal users to either use Java to chat of Flash - or to use the mobile HTML version.

[Anonymous32445]

It's a very unfriendly GUI, for a start. I think a drop down menu with loads of custom things might end up confusing the user because of all the customisations that can be made on this chat, like the sound on incoming members and sound when people live the room; it's not really something that is desirable. The option to change rooms where there is a tab next to the user list doesn't make it simple; it would be easier to have an icon which represents an option, for example if the user wants to go into another room. The fact that you can't change the size of the text makes it difficult for others to read the text properly. I therefore conclude that we should stick with the current chat.

I just think we'd be much better off with an IRC server. It's similar to what we have now, and definitely more portable ( has support for almost any device). I just am looking for SOMETHING with mobile support. Definitely not a fan of these old plugins which should be replaced.

IRC would be ideal. Because parachat, you have to close the browser to other stuff, no notifications someone is talking to you or anything. IRC apps notify you.

[tradika]

As much as I commend you DocJohn for updating the chat room, as well as your continued commitment to our well-being, I must deem Parachat worthy of a fail-whale. I am in agreement with most of the more in-depth assessments made in the previous posts. I actually find it much harder to read even with colored fonts than the one we have now. The Java and HTML versions are particular cringe worthy. The only benefit to Parachat is the ability to go on mobile. Otherwise it’s not really any better than what we already have and worse in my humble opinion.

[Moodswing]

With out a switch I can not chat because I only have an iPad. So yes something needs to change.

With IRC it is possible to allow use to other ports to connect (like port 80 and 8080). I believe this was one of the troubles brought up when you guys tried IRC. Some people couldn't use port 6667. The standard port CAN BE CHANGED. I almost thought what we had was built off IRC until I figured out it was its own thing (realchat). IRC even allows for colors in chat, use of the "/me" command. Kick and others. People could make their own channels just like we do with rooms in the current model. Users wouldn't have to learn much at all. Especially with a web client on the site.

Also, the accessibility issue Phreak brought up SHOULD NOT be ignored. Just because you aren't aware of users using screen readers and such, that DOES NOT mean they don't exist. IRC is old enough where these issues have been ironed out. The propriety crap (like realchat and parachat) use propriety plugins like flash and java - which are not as portable as advertised AT ALL, require the creators of the chat interface to iron out these issue. Most of them don't care about users with issues like this. They are meant for sites with "shoutboxes". Not for well maintained and operated sites like this. IRC and similar interfaces have been designed and some are almost as old as email (and are almost as popular), so they have been around long enough and aren't owned by a single organization or company so everyone had a say in what should be included.

Whatever issues you guys had with IRC can be fixed, you wouldn't be close to the first organizations with these issues.

[DocJohn]

Folks, I'm sorry, but I've already closed at least one thread on this topic.

We are not going to use the existing version of Parachat. A new version is slated for the fall, and we are moving to that version (which you cannot test yet).

Yes, any system is going to be different than the current system. The new system will be tested in parallel with the old system. When that happens, we will solicit feedback on the new system -- not before. We do not run polls on proposed new functionality roll-out, but we will solicit feedback when the time is right (e.g., when we actually have something real to test on the site).

When a thread is closed about a topic, we ask members not to re-open the topic in a new thread (even if you try and change the topic slightly).

DocJohn