Chat mods: good? bad? safe?

[rcane]

So, the group's forums were created to migrate away from Signal and Telegram chats. 

There are some interactions that have just work better with a realtime chat feed.   Call it a dopamine rush or what have you, but there are some needs by users and moderators. 

Anyway, is there a reliable chat mod that doesn't punch glaring holes in security? 

What type of threats are there in terms of security?

I'm reading the mod boards and see a few to browse the documentation.

[Kindred]

SMF mods which are available on the official customization site have no known security issues.

However, chat windows can have a serious impact on server resources.

[rcane]

SMF mods which are available on the official customization site have no known security issues.

However, chat windows can have a serious impact on server resources.

in terms of bandwidth?  I was thinking it's text only and no attachments.

[Kindred]

in terms of database and server processor usage

[rcane]

in terms of database and server processor usage

I knew you were going to say that. 

Looking at Chatwee. Looking.

[Dave J]

Not sure if this helps but if you are running a portal then most of them include a shoutbox which can be used as a left or right block.

[efk]

I've used SMFPacks,com Shoutbox for years and I consider it as the best since you have all that you need in Lite version + you can upgrade for additional stuff. If you do not change much around default settings related with performances, no problem with this mod. Also design is very nice compared to other similar mods, reminds on other popular apps for group chats. I think to not hit performances there is a limit of 100 messages to be shown or even less.
Also SimplePortal shoutbox is ok, but more for small rooms and the best thing about this shoutbox is that you have no limits, so you can have this shoutbox with different name in any board, or the same could be set as shared in more than 1 board - haven't tested it lately but it should be working like that. Never had problems with SimplePortal shoutbox, everything about it is very simple, you just need to understand how to create it and place.. Design is simple, forum feeling..
Also I've tried SA Chat, it had 2 versions facebook looking with different behavior, it was the best option at start since it had global and person to person communication, but my testing forum on free hosting goes much over limits since this mod is very resources hungry and I do not recommend it because of that event, if I do not do often some cleaning in mod settings, hosting resources usage was growing fast. Other similar mods were not working and I did not had enough knowledge to make them to work.
Note, difference between SMFPacks,com Shoutbox and SimplePortal shoutbox is that 1st one is create to be live chat for more people, while 2nd one is more for delayed conversation and notes, but it can be ok for live chat as well.

[rcane]

I've not run any portals except to get overwhelmed by tiny portals.

I'll look at smfpacks to see.

I've only had the SMF up since the Spring and only had members actually joining since October.  It's busy as crap now, so I'm constantly looking for new helpful things.

[rcane]

I've used SMFPacks,com Shoutbox for years and I consider it as the best since you have all that you need in Lite version + you can upgrade for additional stuff. If you do not change much around default settings related with performances, no problem with this mod. Also design is very nice compared to other similar mods, reminds on other popular apps for group chats. I think to not hit performances there is a limit of 100 messages to be shown or even less.
Also SimplePortal shoutbox is ok, but more for small rooms and the best thing about this shoutbox is that you have no limits, so you can have this shoutbox with different name in any board, or the same could be set as shared in more than 1 board - haven't tested it lately but it should be working like that. Never had problems with SimplePortal shoutbox, everything about it is very simple, you just need to understand how to create it and place.. Design is simple, forum feeling..
Also I've tried SA Chat, it had 2 versions facebook looking with different behavior, it was the best option at start since it had global and person to person communication, but my testing forum on free hosting goes much over limits since this mod is very resources hungry and I do not recommend it because of that event, if I do not do often some cleaning in mod settings, hosting resources usage was growing fast. Other similar mods were not working and I did not had enough knowledge to make them to work.
Note, difference between SMFPacks,com Shoutbox and SimplePortal shoutbox is that 1st one is create to be live chat for more people, while 2nd one is more for delayed conversation and notes, but it can be ok for live chat as well.

I tried SMFPacks once and the shoutbox limits me to only a handful of words.  When I say limited I mean no where close the max character count found in settings.  If you over-type you get just blanks after pressing enter.

[Steve]

I use SMFPacks shoutbox and have never experienced the limitations you mention.

[rcane]

I use SMFPacks shoutbox and have never experienced the limitations you mention.

Seriously?

Maybe there are some settings out of the box that aren't liking me.

Could you screenshot the ones you have there in that area?

Perhaps I need Ant's 1.0.7 update for the curve theme? I'm on the one for 2.0.14, but running 2.0.18.

[efk]

I use SMFPacks shoutbox and have never experienced the limitations you mention.

There is an empty row after going over limit of characters. Just time and empty space. Its very common, I guess to all users who do not change settings, maybe 64 or 128 characters or something like that.

[Steve]

My settings are:

Maximum message's length: 1024
Minimum message's length: 1
Maximum word's length: 60

And I just tested it with this:

I've used SMFPacks,com Shoutbox for years and I consider it as the best since you have all that you need in Lite version + you can upgrade for additional stuff. If you do not change much around default settings related with performances, no problem with this mod. Also design is very nice compared to other similar mods, reminds on other popular apps for group chats. I think to not hit performances there is a limit of 100 messages to be shown or even less.

The entire text was sent.

[rcane]

My settings are:

Maximum message's length: 1024
Minimum message's length: 1
Maximum word's length: 60

And I just tested it with this:

I've used SMFPacks,com Shoutbox for years and I consider it as the best since you have all that you need in Lite version + you can upgrade for additional stuff. If you do not change much around default settings related with performances, no problem with this mod. Also design is very nice compared to other similar mods, reminds on other popular apps for group chats. I think to not hit performances there is a limit of 100 messages to be shown or even less.

The entire text was sent.

i re-installed and it seems to work now. 

[Steve]

Cool beans.