[Pikku Myy]

Live the new chat... works well here, but have not checked the mobile app. Concern...

1 - Any way to copy and report messages/chat like we had before?
2 - Comment about not being able to enlarge font size by jimi on mobile chat... could not see it.
3 - Old smileys were better... lol

Thanks

[DocJohn]

1. You can still report problems in chat. We have access to public chat transcripts for the time being on the server and are looking as to why the chat history button doesn't appear to be available in the chat client.

When reporting a chat issue, please be as specific as you can (since we have to research this)

- Usernames of people involved in the issue (which has to violate one of our community guidelines)
- Room name of where issue occurred
- Date and time when the issue occurred

Report such chat problems to me only at this time by PM. Thanks.

2. Sorry, I'm not sure the font is changeable in mobile chat -- it depends on your mobile browser's font settings (which are usually user adjustable).

3. Ok, but now we have new ones.

DocJohn

[DocJohn]

We did not have a link to the Flash version of the chatrooms, which has the save/view history button in it. At this time, that button isn't available in the HTML chatrooms client.

If you click on the "Chat" menu, it will take you to a list of rooms using HTML chat.

If you click on the "Flash Chat" in the Chat menu, it will take you to the list of rooms using Flash Chat. (You need to have Flash on your computer -- most do, but Apple devices don't support Flash.)

You can see all the rooms available using either option, allowing you to enter the specific room of your choice.

DocJohn

[SparkyCat]

I don't like leaving flash running, as it's quite the resource hog sometimes, so I'm mostly using the HTML version, so the lack of these fixes on the HTML version isn't much appreciated here I can't adjust the text size upwards at all on the flash version (that I can see), whereas I can on the HTML, and that's a really important thing for me to be able to do (for instance, I always use the forums at 150% zoom).

HTML Chat also still has the awful smileys.

And is there any way of reducing the size of the userlist or am I stuck with it being 1/3 of the screen?

Sorry for being a bit of a pain. If someone could make my eyes work better I wouldn't need to be... :P

[DocJohn]

Not sure what "fixes" you're referring to in HTML chat you're waiting for?

You can close the userlist when you don't need it, but no, you can't adjust its width as far as I can tell. Sorry.

Chat fails for me from my office. Flash does not work here, and I am wondering if there is a way to use the chat system that is entirely html or based on other code (php, javascript..etc) ? The previous version of chat had it's issues I know but whatever codebase it was written in worked everywhere.

this is entirely because the new chat is flash-based, for me. Granted I know that it's not going to affect everyone but I am sure there are a few others that may have problems using flash-based chat systems too.

[DocJohn]

Yes, chat is HTML-based!

There is only one chat option for using the OPTIONAL Flash chat module. That's in the drop down and is clearly labeled "Flash Chat." We only put that up there in case people want to use it.

All the other options in the Chat menu are HTML based and should work on any handheld, tablet or computer.

If your workplace blocks a bunch of ports in its firewall, it may also not work. You could try using one of the apps on your phone as an alternative.

Sorry for the confusion.

DocJohn

Dear DocJohn:

How do we create our own rooms in SnapChat?

I'm a little confused about how to go about this.

Thanks,
Pfrog!

Oops! ... Nevermind! ... I FOUND IT! ... Woot! ... Go Pfrog!

Originally Posted by DocJohn

Yes, chat is HTML-based!

There is only one chat option for using the OPTIONAL Flash chat module. That's in the drop down and is clearly labeled "Flash Chat." We only put that up there in case people want to use it.

All the other options in the Chat menu are HTML based and should work on any handheld, tablet or computer.

If your workplace blocks a bunch of ports in its firewall, it may also not work. You could try using one of the apps on your phone as an alternative.

Sorry for the confusion.

DocJohn

No problem Doc. If I'm correct in researching this, it seems to be an html5 application and that may be part of it also. Could be the port issue also but I do work from a very "locked down" office so.

With the previous chat, I guess I'll just have to cherish that it was fun while it lasted :/

Thanks for your clarification.

[philbee]

i can't get the flash chat to connect at all on my computer, and i have the latest version of flash for both firefox and IE. i can connect to the html chat. also, i was unable to log onto the forums section of PC for several hours. any idea what could be causing this?

[DocJohn]

Nope. The forums have been online and accessible all year with zero downtime.

If you can connect to the HTML chat, then you should still be okay. (I only added the "Flash Chat" option to give people a choice. We have very little ability to troubleshoot any issues with that version of chat, because it's all self-contained, commercial software.)

DocJohn

[philbee]

i just can't seem to get into flash chat. so i am giving up on it and using html chat all the time. don't know why i can't get in. my modem is working, i have no trouble connecting to websites, and i can use flash everywhere else. maybe it should be removed from the menu.

Originally Posted by philbee

... maybe it should be removed from the menu.

Only, I think other people can use it. I can access it on numerous devices which leads me to believe the issue is not on PsychCentral's end. It's possible there is a custom setting you missed somewhere in one of your browsers though?

[philbee]

maybe i'll try with IE.

[philbee]

couldn't get into it with IE either. maybe it just doesn't like me... oh well.

[philbee]

downloaded chrome and tried. still couldn't get in. that flash chat will never work for me, which is why i am glad the html5 chat does so far.

[-jimi-]

I'm not sure about what I said about font size but I don't use mobile so it wasn't connected to that.

I will however repeat the comment from the last change to the now old chat:

Another thought for familiarity. The whole feel of PC is kind of Verdana-ish. Maybe use it as a default font in chat instead of Arial? I totally prefer Arial but I also know how poorly people do with change.

Also the default font scales very poorly which is a little tough for us dependent on enlarging the font. I have to say I don't like Verdana per se, but it scales better than the current font (and is also what we are "used to").

Also if my memory doesn't fail me (it does a lot!), the old chat also had a very non compact setup but was changed to a bit narrower. I forgot whom I discussed this with, but we agree the messages are spaced a bit too far away from each other, making it reading unfriendly. I know however, some people DO like an extra empty line between messages so I guess it's a matter of how you see and think.

O yea, I don't know if it's just on my end because something is eating my cookies, but if I set a new skin it reverts back when I log out.

Anyway, most people liked the old new chat better (when it worked), but I must say I have nothing against this one. I actually like it as much as I can like a web based chat. There are a few other things too... but I don't wanna sound neggy, because I'm not.

[-jimi-]

Ahh... better and better. Can't wait to fix up my better computer though, my spare computer is too slow for this chat software. But then again, it is ancient.

Now if you type a sad face I wish it made a sad face and not someone bawling an ocean! That wasn't the kind of sad I meant! LOL.

Anyway, all work with this is appreciated!

[MoxieDoxie]

I have no features on my Ipad. No avatar, no buttons or symbols or smileys. I tried 3 different browsers.

[DocJohn]

Thanks, I see the problem. It's defaulting to the handheld skin on iPad, when it should be defaulting to the desktop skin... I'll see if we can get that fixed over the next few days.

[Wysteria]

This has probably been better addressed somewhere, but is there a way to highlight those members that are monitors both in chat and in the list at the bottom of the forum?
If you are in chat, and there is a problem, it is hard to "find" someone online and available and see if they can intervene before problem gets worse...

or maybe a general..."help" or "bat line or signal" to get someone's attention that is online and is a moderator and has the designated authority to do something appropriate? Something that would auto search for best person to handle.. Maybe a "batty" idea? lol...sorry.

Also, if a certain room is supposed to be for certain people or a Q&A or some other designated purpose, can there be a better message upon entering giving the new member instructions so that people in the room don't have to constatntly repeat themselves...?

(ie...this room is for Q&A for the doc, please address questions to the doctor and hold off on extra greetings or group interaction until after the Q&A unless directly related to the question posed. You can also PM member to give additional advice or talk to them after group....
or
...this room is for people that are in need of emotional support. This is not a room for general chat at the moment....if you are in need of extra support or willing to offer support, please come on in..
or
...this room is for a specific chat group as seen on calendar. Please come in if you have concerns or want to chat about that subject....if you need to speak to someone in that group, please pm them to come out or meet you later in another room)

That would be very helpful. Just an idea....
Respectfully,
WB

[DocJohn]

Thanks for the helpful suggestions. We'll see what we can do about editing the messages further, but we think that in general, we try not to put too many rules about who can talk about what where. The room topics are meant as general guidelines. Someone in emotional support may slip into more social conversation after the immediate emotional needs are talked about, or maybe because the person feels more comfortable being a little bit lighter. We don't enforce those distinctions strongly.

However, if a few people are in a room like emotional support and want to talk about serious issues, while another group in the room is talking social, it's perfectly acceptable to ask the social chatters to move to the Coffeehouse or another room. In this example, the social chatters should move into another room as requested without making a big deal about it. A simple, "Oh, sorry, I didn't realize... hey guys, let's move on over to the coffeehouse."

As for getting the attention of the Community Support Team while in chat, we do not offer 24/7 free support in our community. That's just not something that's tenable, so the chances a moderator or administrator is online all the time is unlikely. And even if it shows as someone is "online," they may have already logged off (because it's a 30 minute inactivity timer on the online list).

In other words, like the rest of the community, we expect members to abide by the community guidelines. And if they don't, you're welcomed to make a note of the offending member, the date, and the time, and forward the problematic behavior to me via PM for followup. I will look into the matter privately, and your name is never mentioned in the complaint (such complaints are completely confidential).

I also always strongly encourage the use of the self-care tools we make available to all members, such as placing a member on Ignore if you're having problems with them. Or moving to another room if they are bothering you in some manner that you don't like.

All members should show the same respect to one another as they'd show to me or any other member of our community support team -- at all times. We may all come from very different backgrounds and deal with very different challenges each and every day, but that's no reason we can't treat one another as though they were a fellow human being -- which we all are.

Thanks,
DocJohn