Solution to Chat thingy.

[//:Protocol]

What if Someone else was to run it? As an alternative to the chat system already in place?

So Ryoko wouldn't have to have the hassle of dealing with it, but the forum rules still applied..?

[supaplex]

maybe an IRC chat will be better.
That way not everyone would have to use the site to join, but can also use their own message programs like trilian or MIRC.

[Tohak]

For IRC I'll suggest Quakenet #silkroadforums -channel. On Quakenet you can get chat bot (Q or L) to keep track of authenticated users. Seen many other gamers use this IRC network for game channels.

[//:Protocol]

Yeah, Quakenet was the presumed idea.

And you can get a bot to moderate the channel, which is also good.

Now we wait for ryoko to give it the O.K.

[Ryoko]

Why I like the chat system
-Self integrates users accounts, avatars, and settings
-Automatically recognizes admins and mods
-Style, layout, features

Why I don't like the chat system
-MySQL driven and database recursive
-Not server side
-Not customizable (icons, etc)
-LAG from MySQL
-LAG on the forum
-LAG from the flash interface

Why I don't like IRC
-Doesnt have the features of current chat
-Doesnt integrate with forum accounts
-Its not from our server

Why I don't buy a chat server to install
-Can't find a decent on less than $300

Why I don't 'use' a chat service on another site
-I dont like to rely on other sites
-We have a perfectly good dedicated server
-Doesnt integrate with forum accounts

What I would prefere but cant find
-Chat server installed locally
-Java driven
-Automaticall integrates with PHPBB and accounts.
-Reasonable spending price: $50 to $150

Discuss. Brainstorm.

[SuicideGrl]

i dislike the idea of an IRC-based chat because of the lack of customization, as Ryoko said. however, the flash chat isn't ideal either (while it IS brilliant in and of itself). i'll keep my eyes open.