Chat Software
March 1, 1998
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Chat software is all the rage on the Internet. Is it
time to add some real-time interactivity to your site or are you
a chat user and want to learn about your options?
Do you need a real-time communication forum for your users? With
the number of chat software packages available today, how do you decide which
one to use? Read this overview of chat software capabilities, complete with a
administrator check list of software features.
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Chat software provides the ability to "talk" using your keyboard in
real-time with other people on a network of computers like the Internet or
a company Intranet. This textual real-time way of communicating
is very popular with people who have special interests. It allows
people to
join a conversation in a public meeting room during most any hour of the day.
Scheduled chats allow people to meet
at predefined times to discuss topics of special interest.
Chat software is used to create customer support centers, interactive
training facilities, business meetings, special interest groups and just
plain get-togethers. Chat rooms are a cost effective means to talk
to others in different countries where a telephone call would be cost
prohibitive. Chat rooms offer an alternative form of communication
to email, telephone, regular mail, and in person communication.
Chat software is categorized as either IRC or Web-based.
Internet Relay Chat (IRC)
The IRC technology is older than the newer Web-based chat technology.
IRC uses a text-based communication protocol on a client/server network.
The server computer connected to the Internet hosts multiple IRC c
onnections.
The users connect to this server with specialized software that
resides on
their client computer. Because the server can host multiple
simultaneous
connections, users can communicate with each other by passing messages
to
the server which relays the messages to all users currently logged on to
the IRC channel. An IRC channel is similar to a room where a group of
users meet. Channels are given a name by the user who creates the
channel, who is known as the channel operator. Subsequent users must
JOIN the channel to participate. The channel may be
restricted to only users who have been invited.
IRC software must be downloaded, installed and configured on each client
computer before a user can start chatting. Users must learn the IRC
command
language to participate in a chat session. IRC software does not run
under a
browser and it lacks fancy graphics capabilities.
IRC protocol
is defined in this technical article that specifies the protocol
standard
for IRC software.
IRC Networks and ServerLists
provides a list of IRC networks grouped by size, along with a comment on
the focus of each chat group. This site has a list of abbreviations and
their meaning, used by users to save typing while chatting. It provides
instructions on IRC commands as well as hints for IRC etiquette.
IRC Chat Software
ConferenceRoom
is an IRC based client and server software package offered by the
WebMaster,
Inc. aimed at business communication.
ICQ
is chat software from Mirabilis Ltd. It allows you to create a
contact list of friends and informs you when your friends are
logged in. The software runs on Windows based computers as well as
Mac 68k's
and Power PC's.
mIRC
is a shareware chat program developed for Windows based client
computers.
Web-based Chat
Web-based chat software consists of a web browser enabled client
software component and a server software component.
The client software can be a browser plug-in, a Java applet, or a
plain HTML
page. A browser plug-in requires the users to download and install the
software prior to participating in a chat. A Java applet is available
to
the user after it is automatically downloaded by the browser. A plain
HTML
page chat software system provides a chat client that is an
automatically
refreshed HTML page delivered to the client computer. This HTML chat
software allows embedded HTML tags to be provided by chat users.
For example,
people can actually type in HTML tags to change the font of their
messages to
shout or to include pictures or links to other web sites.
All web-based client chat software is embedded within an HTML page,
which
enables the customization of the user interface. The HTML page with
the
embedded chat client can also display graphics like GIFs and JPEGs and
additional logic using Javascript and Java to enhance the
functionality of the
chat page. This customization is a popular feature for those chat
rooms that
are advertiser supported with ad banners prominently displayed to
all chat users.
Web Based Chat Software
The Chat Server
is a product offered by Magma Communications, Ltd.
This software appends users messages immediately to the end of a web
page
that is displayed to everyone in the room. This software allows embedded
HTML tags in messages, which allows for URL links to other web pages and
graphics files.
ParaChat
is a Java based chat system that provides
private rooms and the ability to resize and float the chat room window
on the
client desktop. The administrator can define security to ban users by
name
or IP address, define room topics, get logs of what was said in the chat
sessions, and define room passwords.
ChitChat
is a Macintosh based multimedia communication software package for
networks
that supports text communication, speaking into a microphone and
displaying
images. Text is displayed in a continuous scrolling window, graphics
may be
displayed in a separate image window. This software can be accessed
locally
via Ethernet or LocalTalk networks or remotely via Apple Remote Access.
Volano Chat
from Volano LLC is chat software package that has Java based client and
server components.
eShare Expressions
from eShare Technologies, Inc. is a chat package with clients in
ActiveX,
Java, Java Light, and HTML. eShare Expressions operates behind
firewalls.
It offers buddy lists, IRC support, and an administrator communication
log.
Chat Software buying decisions
There are many things to consider when selecting a chat client/server
software package. The following two checklists provide you a starting
point for your own evaluation process. Most software is always in a
state of improvement. New releases offer new features. To avoid the
risk of quickly being out of date I have included a check list
of features for you to use when evaluating the current state of chat
software. Look over the features and decide which ones are required
and optional for your particular requirements. Then visit the
chat software resources
to learn more about the available chat software products.
Chat Software User Feature Checklist
- private chat rooms
- buddy lists
- private messages
- customizable chat rooms
- members-only access
- embed HTML commands
- embed URL links
- spell checker
- help information
- easy to use
- attractive and friendly user interface
- client platform, Java, IRC, HTML, ActiveX
- free to use
Chat Software Administrator Feature Checklist
- in-room advertisement banners
- user Id and passwords administration
- no login requirement
- moderated chat rooms
- administer word filters (profanity removal)
- email support
- client screen real-estate requirement
- provide read-only access to rooms
- get transcript of chat sessions
- set room topics
- web tours
- BBS option (bulletin board)
- search features
- log control and log reporting
- access log, content log, server activity log, advertising log
- VMRL 3-D environment
- bump users out of room
- email user security information to participants
- open or close room to visitors
- integrate with RealMedia, MS Netshow, and Shockwave
- real-time status monitoring of room usage
- remote administrator capabilities
- firewall configuration
- site restrictions based on IP address
- restrict access to certain rooms
- RAM requirements for each room
- languages supported
- CPU load requirements
- bandwidth requirements for Internet connection
- disk space requirements
- servers that software runs on, (Unix or NT)
- built-in database
- authoring tool for chat client room design
- number of rooms possible
- number of users in each room
- documentation quality
- required additional server software for installation
- support offered by Chat software vendor
- daily maintenance required to administer system
- demo software available for a trial
- browser component for managing administration duties or FTP required
- cost
Chat Software Resources
Conferencing
on the WDVL provides links to resource sites such as
Conferencing on the World Wide Web
which provides a comprehensive and update-to-date alphabetical listing
of
chat software including its server platform and vendor.
New IRC Users
provides a variety of information aimed at the beginning IRC chat user.
This site has links to Mac IRC client software, information for AOL
users,
IRC commands, IRC newbie FAQ and links to IRC software.
Introduction to IRC
for Windows users is a article written in question answer format that
answers the fundamental questions for new IRC users.
Can We Chat
is a PC Magazine article that discusses IRC software.
Chat User
is a ZDNet guide to a variety of articles on the ZDNet sites about chat,
conferencing and groupware.
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