Chatbox

jsx · October 11, 2022, 07:46:57 AM

Hello.

There is no Chatbox for SMF 2.1 in the modification database. So, through this post, I want to encourage programmer to undertake the creation of a Chatbox. Take a look at this Chatbox from Invision Community, it looks good, is expanded, it has many functions. SMF 2.1 deserves a good Chatbox, it would be nice if SMF 2.1 had a Chatbox like the one from Invision Community or even better!

https://invisioncommunity.com/files/file/7465-chatbox-free/

You can create a free version, but also a paid version, for which user will have to pay to have additional features.

@rjen · October 11, 2022, 07:51:06 AM

Euh... you are using TinyPortal already, that has a built in Shoutbox...

TinyPortal is free by the way...

Steve · October 11, 2022, 08:08:05 AM

In my opinion SMF is forum software. A chatbox is an additional function to what should be in the box, i.e. a mod.

As @@rjen said, there is a very good one in Tiny Portal.

jsx · October 11, 2022, 08:39:17 AM

I'm glad that TinyPortal has a built-in shoutbox, but not all SMF users use the portal. So, if someone has a forum without a portal, and would like to have a chatbox also called shoutbox, it is not possible to have it, because there is no this add-on in the SMF modification database.

In my opinion, the shoutbox from TinyPortal lacks extensive functions, more possibilities, such as, for example, this Chatbox from Invision.

Steve · October 11, 2022, 08:51:22 AM

That may be so (I don't use TinyPortal) but my point remains. A shoutbox/chatbox is something that should be done as a mod. Shoutbox Pro is available but it isn't free.

Just because a free one hasn't been done for 2.1.x yet doesn't mean it won't be.

And I still believe it shouldn't be part of the core system. As I said, this is just my opinion.

jsx · October 11, 2022, 09:33:59 AM

Quote from: Steve on October 11, 2022, 08:51:22 AMA shoutbox/chatbox is something that should be done as a mod.

I agree. I wrote about it above that I give a suggestion to some developer that he try to create such a mod.

Quote from: Steve on October 11, 2022, 08:51:22 AMJust because a free one hasn't been done for 2.1.x yet doesn't mean it won't be.

That's why I started this topic, to inspire a person who creates mods for SMF to create such a mod.

Steve · October 11, 2022, 10:03:08 AM

Holy carp! I just realized you meant any developer, not SMF developers. Sorry about that.

Doug Heffernan · October 11, 2022, 11:40:43 AM

Quote from: jsx on October 11, 2022, 09:33:59 AMThat's why I started this topic, to inspire a person who creates mods for SMF to create such a mod.

To code a shoutbox mod, similiar to that of Invision Power, is not an easy task. That will require quite a lot of work and time.

Anyways, is this a paid or free request?

jsx · October 12, 2022, 05:47:54 AM

I understand that coding such a shoutbox is not easy and time consuming. I am wondering what would be the cost of creating such a shoutbox.

Doug Heffernan · October 12, 2022, 06:37:31 AM

Quote from: jsx on October 12, 2022, 05:47:54 AMI understand that coding such a shoutbox is not easy and time consuming. I am wondering what would be the cost of creating such a shoutbox.

It depends. Every coder has their own price estimation. Personally I think a couple of thousands bucks at the very least. Besides the time to code this, a lot of time will be required in maintaining it, and providing support too. That will factor in the costs as well.

jsx · October 12, 2022, 07:04:26 AM

You say a few thousand dollars. If it costs so much to create such a shoutbox then tell me why the programmer from Invision Community created it and made this mod available for free.

@rjen · October 12, 2022, 07:15:14 AM

Well people do stuff just because they like to do it, not to make a living. But if you request a quote and expect actual cost...

I for one know that if I would charge my hourly rate for answering TinyPortal questions there would not be very many questions answered...

I assume someone @ Invision just liked to build it...

jsx · October 12, 2022, 09:11:42 AM

It would be nice to see someone so noble on SMF who would just make such a mod, so that the SMF community would have access to such an add-on.

But it's good and beautiful that you provided TinyPortal for free and you are helping for free. All the best to you for what you do.

Of course, me and probably other people would like to buy such a mod, but not for a few thousand dollars. For a few thousand dollars, you know what I can buy for myself, a good car.

Doug Heffernan · October 12, 2022, 10:48:16 AM

Quote from: jsx on October 12, 2022, 07:04:26 AMYou say a few thousand dollars. If it costs so much to create such a shoutbox then tell me why the programmer from Invision Community created it and made this mod available for free.

I don't know and frankly I don't really care. Maybe they coded it for their own forum and decided to share it with the rest of the community? Maybe they are rich and have a lot of free time on their hands and decided to release it as a charity.

Anyways, that is irrelevant. Just because someone codes and releases something for free, it doesn't mean that all the other mod developers should do the same thing. And the same goes for the vice versa situation as well.

Quote from: jsx on October 12, 2022, 09:11:42 AMOf course, me and probably other people would like to buy such a mod, but not for a few thousand dollars. For a few thousand dollars, you know what I can buy for myself, a good car.

The few thousand dollars is not a price tag, but to get the ball rolling so to speak. It is to fund the developement of the mod. You can also try to start a crowdfunding to raise the money. Or wait until someone will code this for free for you. Or better yet, learn how to code and develop it for yourself.

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