Is there anyway we can have an Instant Messenger added to SMF by mod or something?
A lot of my users love MSN and YAHOO instant messengers but lately they have started to fall out of love with them as they get more and more complicated and buggy.
I was wondering what programs are out there that are similar and have come across this:
http://www.php121.com/
As you can see it is a MySql instant messenger and seems to be free with a donate button so probably wouldnt be difficult to get the use of it if asked or maybe get the developers help to make a SMF version.
I just think that a simple to install MOD package for an Instant Messenger that runs off your database that all your forum users can make use off is not only a brilliant opportunity to fill a big gap in the Forum features, something that would stand SMF out from other open source forums, but also offers scope for Live Support options on forums, personal and private chat functions without the need for chatrooms or PMs to be used so much and would also encourage site members to stay on the forum a lot longer when involved with IM chats, etc. The limits of its use is endless.
Is there anything very similar or can this particular mod be developed for SMF or am I clutching at straws hoping anything like this will become a SMF feature.
It probably won't become a built-in feature, but someone might make a mod at some point.
The problem with things like this is that they are limited. Imagine having to use an instant messenger client for each website you are involved in? One for MySpace, one for Facebook, two other forums, etc...
Perhaps your users could just change their IM client? he benefit of these is that your different accounts are all combined into one program.
Some alternatives to the official (bloated) clients:
Name | Website | Supported Protocols | Supported OS | Cost |
Pidgin (formerly GAIM) | http://pidgin.im/ | AIM/ICQ, YIM, MSNM, Jabber/GTalk, ... | Linux, Windows | Free |
Adium | http://www.adiumx.com/ | AIM/ICQ, YIM, MSNM, Jabber/GTalk, ... (Same as Pidgin) | Macintosh OS X | Free |
Trillian | http://www.ceruleanstudios.com/ | AIM/ICQ, YIM, MSNM, Jabber/GTalk | Windows | Free for Basic, $25 for Pro |
Miranda IM | http://www.miranda-im.org/ | AIM/ICQ, YIM, MSNM, Jabber/GTalk | Windows | Free |
Update: Updated name for TCFKAG.
Lainaus käyttäjältä: Motoko-chan - huhtikuu 03, 2007, 05:26:32 IP
It probably won't become a built-in feature, but someone might make a mod at some point.
The problem with things like this is that they are limited. Imagine having to use an instant messenger client for each website you are involved in? One for MySpace, one for Facebook, two other forums, etc...
Perhaps your users could just change their IM client? he benefit of these is that your different accounts are all combined into one program.
Some alternatives to the official (bloated) clients:
Name | Website | Supported Protocols | Supported OS | Cost |
Gaim | http://gaim.sourceforge.net/ | AIM/ICQ, YIM, MSNM, Jabber/GTalk, ... | Linux, Windows | Free |
Adium | http://www.adiumx.com/ | AIM/ICQ, YIM, MSNM, Jabber/GTalk, ... (Same as Gaim) | Macintosh OS X | Free |
Trillian | http://www.ceruleanstudios.com/ | AIM/ICQ, YIM, MSNM, Jabber/GTalk | Windows | Free for Basic, $25 for Pro |
Miranda IM | http://www.miranda-im.org/ | AIM/ICQ, YIM, MSNM, Jabber/GTalk | Windows | Free |
It depends really on what sort of use your SMF forum is for but with mine being a community site involving chat and making friends that is becoming popular their is a call for Chat rooms (which are available) but also some form of Messenger system as well as a lot of people have fallen out of love with MSN and YIM at the moment.
Like I say, as a chat/discussion site it is ideal as a lot of people log in for 2-3 hours a day to post and PM people while they are online and the Forum Instant Messenger would be a big attraction if they could have live 1-2-1 chat as well as a valuable "online support" tool for solving Admin/Moderating issues too without involving long PM/Posting sessions.
Maybe the idea of a "constant" Instant Messenger is probably too much, but maybe more an Instant Chat thing, (not a chatroom people join and talk en mass, but more click on the username and it starts off a 1-2-1 live chat) would be better suited for while your on the forum.
For example. You log into the support forum here and as well as a PM MEMBER button on posts, there is also a START LIVE CHAT WITH MEMBER button as well which you click on. This then starts a live chat session similar to how MSN or YIM does when your in a live chat session with someone (obviously a much more cut down basic version). It would be helpful that there is an option for a member to DISABLE LIVE CHAT MESSAGES and also the ability to IGNORE LIVE CHAT MESSAGES FROM THIS MEMBER similar to how the IGNORE PMs system works.
Just an idea but I have yet to see any SMF, PHPBB, IB, VB forum that has this sort of Live Messaging feature as part of the forum and thought it would make SMF stand out (especially if tailored to suit the site, ie. only Mods or Admins can make use of it or if it is members that can use it too.)
What you need is jabber
Read up on jabber integration with php, jabber bridges to MSN YIM etc, jabber s2s :)
thanks, will go look into it.
Hey Exochat, how did you do with "jabber"...?
If it worked for you...I would like to explore that option....
Prehaps meebo (http://meebo.com) could be used.
Lainaus käyttäjältä: eldʌkaː - toukokuu 21, 2007, 08:48:46 AP
Prehaps meebo (http://meebo.com) could be used.
Indeed. http://wwwl.meebo.com/rooms/ I know trekkie looked into this awhile ago and found it to be quite good.
There is also: http://gabbly.com/
Thanks eldʌka and H...will take a look at both of them and see which one works out better.
Thanks again!