Admins,

I am writing to propose that the old IRC channel be reborn to its former glory.

I first encountered the channel nearly two years ago, just before (I think) NAPPA’s registration of the channel expired (although I never managed to meet NAPPA). At that point, there were only 5 regular users of the channel. After the channel expired, “Lon_Wolfgood” reregistered the channel and we carried on portkey-ing on blitzed . Near the beginning of this year, Lon went missing, and the channel registration once again expired. “Phoenos” reregistered the channel (again) and the four of us went on portkey-ing . I was absent most of this year (final year of school), but when I had a look a week ago the channel was deserted . I’ve been in the crow’s nest all week looking for any fellow shippers there , but alas... none.

I have temporarily registered #portkey on blitzed. I was wondering if the PK Admins/Mods would be willing to retake the channel and promote it a bit on the forums/site. I would be happy to assist the staff wherever needed to help recreate the chat.

Even with 3 to 5 people, the chat was a fun place to be, and from what I heard it used to be far larger. I think it would be sad to see this vanish into Portkey history.

Regardless of your decision regarding the IRC Chat, I wish to thank the entire staff team for keeping the ship afloat and let you know that you have the support of the entire Portkey community.

Thanks,
digitalPhonix

Hi,

Sorry for not having replied sooner. We're all caught up with this pesky little thing called real life.

As for your suggestion, we're gonna have to take that up with NAPPA. TBH though, I'd give this low chances because neither he nor James had time to look after the IRC channel since shortly after DH.

I don't know much about maintaining IRCs, but if there are fees to be paid then I guess that'd be another reason to make that very low priority. Given the limited time that NAPPA now has for PK, I'd rather he spent it on doing our requested changes for the fic and fanart side.

Thanks nonetheless for the suggestion. We appreciate that you continue to care for PK.

- Pen

Don't worry, I can also attest to its peskyness

The IRC channel is on an open network, so provided there are users, it can manage itself. (All free )

I was wondering I could have permission to try and promote it in the forums?

Thanks for your time,
digitalPhonix

Sure. Plug it in your sig. I was thinking of copying your request in the Help Desk. Who knows, there might be other PK-ers interested in reviving the IRC. Perhaps I'd go ahead and open a thread about it, copying our PMs, then you could post more comments if you want considering how little I know about IRCs. I think I've used it only 2x in all of my years in PK.

I remember Adam used to be active in PK chat. Unfortunately he's really been busy with real life since last year. I also remember reading somewhere that msscribe bought the snogwarts name for PK.

digitalphonix - I've copied our PMs here *points above* using a board trick to post your messages through your forum account.

After re-reading your PM, I realized that perhaps there might be ways for us to revive the chat. I've been drafting some questions but unluckily lost them after I accidentally closed the tab they were on. You could tell from my initial replies that I know very little about IRC.

Will be back in a few to re-post those questions.

I remember seeing another PK-er plug the PK chat in their sig. *searches members sigs* It's Seamus22.

*copies her sig*

Slytherin to the core!


Shameless Promoter of the PK chat on blitzed.org or through the link provided by PK itself. Anyone want to stop by is welcome cause Bob knows we need more people to talk to.

She's had that sig for a while now; probably years. *PMs Seamus22 about this thread*

Okay, I found my questions. Hooray for Firefox's "recently closed tabs" feature!


Q1. Is there a direct link to PK's blitzed.org channel?

Like if you give me a URL, say,

would that lead PK-ers to the PK channel? Clicking on some of the channels here took me to a login page like this one.
If we embed such an URL to our forum layout, would that suffice for you IRC users? It'd be a start.


2. Also, could you suggest ways to make live chat more user-friendly? As intuitive as instant messengers?

I remember following instructions like this <-- this was posted a little before YM, MSN etc grew very popular. I think this page was posted sometime after I went on PK hiatus (before Book 6).

(The only times I used PK chat were in:
-- the PK-wide one in Apr 2004
-- one or two more chats with the PK mod team, again around '04 or '05.)


3. Relative to #2, would you guys know how to use a "chatbox" like the ones in down this QuillsnSpills page, in harry and hermione.org and the top left corner of this tennis blog?

If that only requires some HTML formatting but does NOT require installing any software in PK's server, then I could try doing the HTML formatting.



What I'm saying is we don't have to limit ourselves to IRC or to blitzed.org. Let's focus on how to make a live chat available to visiting PK-ers. The lowest-maintenance chat option would have the best chances of thriving.

This will create a button to open the IRC channel in a new window.

or for users to choose their own username, replace:
with



Hehe... I remember those instructions.

While joining an IRC channel now is nowhere near as intimidating as it was then (hey! I managed to join), I can't think of anything much simpler than a link to the cgiirc on the homepage.
I'll make a preconfigured package if anyone is interested in a desktop client.



These shoutboxes/chatboxes are relatively simple to implement. They can normally be condensed to a single php file with an html front.

Given my newly empty real-life , ill try an whip up a proof-of-concept.

Thanks again,
digitalPhonix

Okay, I've tried your code for #1 on a hidden skin. I'm putting it now atop our present forum skin, right below the banner and on the same row as "Site Focus", etc.

EDIT: Okay, I've copied it. Post more improvements and suggestions here, esp with how that "Let's chat!" pane looks. Make the font bigger and similar to the "Site Focus" etc links beside it.

Other limitations:

1. if we're aiming to get this live chat going as soon as possible, then we'd have to rely on PK staff on active duty. I'm one of them, and I can change forum layouts using HTML and perhaps a bit of CSS. Ie, if you guys give me the HTML and CSS codes, then I can copy them to our forum skins.

I don't know PHP, but if you can give me some codes that I could copy onto our HTML templates or CSS, then okay, let's try that.


2. None of us current active-duty admins (Adam, Bec aka Harry/Hermione 4eva, poppy, myself) have permissions to edit layouts or upload files in other PK sections:
-fanfiction.porkey.org,
-www.portkey.org portal,
-chat.portkey.org,
-gallery.portkey.org,
-recs.portkey.org
-users.portkey.org


For editing and uploading there, we'd have to rely on NAPPA or James. Last time they found time to change those sections' layouts, templates and coding was sometime before Book 7.

We don't begrudge them their busy real lives, but it'd be pointless to wait for them to have time for this. If they stumble on this thread, then of course they're welcome to make improvements. We have a long-pending request to NAPPA to update the links in those other PK pages.


3. For 6+ months now, we've asked NAPPA to redirect the www.portkey.org portal to this page, or somehow update that portal. Lots of things in his RL has prevented him from doing that. One of those things was that he hurt his foot, so he needed therapy.

Besides, NAPPA himself would admit he tends to forget PK pending tasks. One of my roles before (in '03-'05) was to remind him about mods' pending requests. Other mods had that role too.


4. I ask about the chatbox because if we could install that here in the forums, then more people would probably join. Chatboxes are very user-friendly unlike IRC. But that's only a suggestion. Now if you could perhaps make that PHP file to get it running, maybe we could ask NAPPA to upload it to PK's server. I'll have to ask you again for help in how to get that box to appear in our forums' HTML templates - give me the HTML codes for me to copy in the board wrapper.

I copied that as


Any idea where in the IPB admin cp could I find the exact field name for PK display names?


EDIT: I've looked in the IPB ACP and found settings for chat add-ons. Enabled the IBIRC chat, which now shows up as "Live Chat" on the pink row between the banner and the "Site Focus" etc links. Would this do for now? Settings in the IPB ACP are:

IBIRC Title - The title for IBirc
- changed that to "Portkey Live Chat"

IRC Server
The IRC Server you want to connect to - retained "irc.blitzed.org"

Channel Name
The Channel name on the irc server must include # - retained "#portkey"

Quit Message
Message Shown when user quits the IRC channel - changed to "Talk to you again soon!"

Allow Guests - Allow guests to view and chat in channel via IBIRC - changed that to Yes


I'm gonna leave both this IBIRC thing and your code for now. We can do more edits tomorrow / next week.


I can see two other chat modules here, "SigmaChat" and "Invision Chat (ParaChat)", but they say "purchase and information" afterwards.

I'm not sure what sort of editing privellages you have on the homepage, but this should achieve your redirect:

This code can be dumped anywhere in the document (except in the <head>).
IE refuses to follow the javascript redirect, so its really two meathods rolled into one. Firefox, chrome, opera and safari follow the javascript, while IE will for some reason follow the incorrect redirect in the fake <HEAD>.





I looked around, and I think that $author['id'] is correct, but thats a php variable, which probably explains why it isn't working.



Yeah, thats awesome, thanks

Someone clicked on the link and turned up on #portkey. We had a small conversation
(Sorry I missed you )

Thanks, and hope this helps,
digitalPhonix

Ooh finally I found a PHP guru who has time to make some edits! Awesome! Might PM you over in this coming weeks to call on your PHP and webmaster skills.

the next

Someone other than me, or did you mean me? I keep clicking on that Live Chat link to test it.

Don't hesitate to suggest edits for the IBIRC window as well, esp for the text under the "Welcome to Portkey Live Chat!" bar.

I'm thinking of using one of the <div class=> thingies that we're using in this skin's side margins. Would need to check the board wrapper again for its syntax. DONE ON Sep 28.

For anyone using mIRC, chatZilla (cZilla), or any of the other chat clients that use the irc:// protocol, the following link will take you there:-

irc://irc.blitzed.org/portkey

Don't forget to set your /nick to your Portkey screen-name, else no one will know who you are

See you there ....

Thanks, Polydicta, I've added that link too.



digitalphonix - could you list here the steps needed to register that #portkey ID? Just in case its registration lapses again when you're not around. Your list would guide those who'd be around by then. You know, just thinking ahead.

Never mind me whenever I come in and out of the chat. Just checking how it looks after editing its template hehehe.

Which reminds me, gotta put back the "C chat" icon in the "alternating logos" skin. DONE Sep 28
Also make an LJ post about the chat's return and link the Chat in LJ's sidebar. DONE Sep 29

Use the following commands on blitzed:


Lets see if we can have a PK-wide chat inauguration on the weekend .

As you wish, so mote it be.

Well, better to set our expectations low. It took months for the revived ROR to take off. But no harm in trying. If we build it, they will come.

Uhmm... Pen, Chip'n'Dale (my two brain neurons) tried to go to "Live Chat" but they didn't understand how to do this...

Downside of chat rooms is that you'd have to wait for other people to enter. We don't expect people to come in droves, but it's still worth a shot. You'd know someone else has come inside the room when you see another name on the chat screen's side panel.

This is how I understand how these chat rooms work. digitalphonix and Polydicta - don't be shy to correct me.

There are three ways to enter the PK chatroom

METHOD 1 (SIMPLEST) - requires only your browser
Click here then enter your nickname and #portkey as the channel. The # sign's important.


METHOD 2 - requires Java software to be enabled in your computer
Click here. You would see a popup that says

Name: IRCApplet
Publisher: Philippe Detournay
From: http://talk.portkey.org

You need to press the "Run" button on that popup.

For those who upload pics in Facebook: if you can use Facebook's easy uploader, then you've got Java enabled in your computer.


METHOD 3 - requires IRC client (chat software)
-- Go to irc://irc.blitzed.org/portkey and use your Portkey name.

------------------

I'm sure I've seen an old "PK chat - anything goes" graphic somewhere ... *searches*

EDIT: Here it is. Will insert that soon somewhere in the board's skin.

EDIT ON NEXT DAY: Have added the above instructions in the Chat screen.

Heeey! Cool, I got to chat with digitalphonix just now.

LiveChat! I hope more users will populate the chat room though. It's pretty lonely up there. I know, I know, users have different time zones but I'm logging in around the evening so that makes it around 7am or whatever some part of the globe.

Even dear old Applesauce () agrees with me.

Common PK-ers! Let's bring life back to the old LiveChat!

.

Hi, pen! It's me (of course) again!

Hey, Chip'n'Dale learned to go to Live Chat! When you be on line at the time as me we can talk!

Chip'n'Dale learned how to go there, but they didn't know how to work there. I'm with Daniel G., I'm seeing his name, but I'm not having his answers. What should I do?


EDIT 2 hours later: Never mind again. Whatever had happened it was resolved.

Uhm, something weird happended when I was in Live Chat. I was talking to Salamon2 for a loooooooong time. Then Midnghtr72 entered and we started to talk (Salamon went to dinner). Suddenly I was disconnected by IRC or something like this. I didn't understand


EDIT: I entered there again later without a problem. Maybe it was something with my computer or Midnghtr72's.

Perhaps it's a connectivity issue too, ie, your internet connection? I guess fix would be to re-enter the chat room?

IRC gurus, you're welcome to add your thoughts.

Btw, Marcella / K, how'd you access the IRC chat? Browser (method 1), Java (method 2), or IRC client (method 3)?

Good to see more of you using the chat room.

Mehtod One.

Dunno much about IRC but I remember mogliecat explaining in '04-'05** that while the browser access would be easiest for beginners, it also produces the least user-friendly chat room. Commands to change nickname and such need to be entered manually. I suppose of the three methods, it's the browser-based one that's most prone to unstable internet connections.


**TRIVIA: This was during the PK mod team's scheduled chat to discuss various mod issues. I couldn't enter using the chat.portkey.org page, so moglie advised me to go to blitzed.org and look for the portkey channel. Moglie, if you read this sometime, thanks vm for the help. Magpie and Ri, thanks for helping out that time too. <-- They were already inside the chat room with moglie and other PK mods, so they asked around then relayed her instructions to me by YM or PK PM, I think.

.

Hi,

I tried to use the live chat, but it somehow doesn't work. I have Java installed and I can chage fonds and everything, but I can't type. I used the method with the direct link and typing #portkey and my username.

Sounds like the browser-based entry. Perhaps try the Java-based entry? Hit the Run button in the popup that appears in this PK Chat link.

METHOD 2 - User-friendly chat window. Requires Java software to be enabled** in your computer.
On this screen, you should've seen a popup that says
Name: IRCApplet
Publisher: Philippe Detournay
From: http://talk.portkey.org
You'd then need to press the "Run" button on that popup. Then scroll down this page for the chat window.
**For those who upload photos in sites like Facebook: if you can use Facebook's easy uploader, then you've got Java enabled in your computer.

The problem with this method is that I don't see the window. Maybe I did something wrong when I installed Javs.

See if this works (temporary solution of sorts):

Go to http://cgiirc.blitzed.org/
Pick a name and change the Channel to #portkey
Then click login.

To test your java installation, go to http://java.com/en/download/installed.jsp
It will tell you if java is installed and which version you have installed.

Look forward to seeing you on #portkey

Thanks, DP. Feel free to answer Chat questions and other PK questions you could assist with. That invites goes to any other PK-er willing to help out.

I'm not sure, but do we need to log in all of our Windows accounts (administrator and limited) to install Java for each of them? 'Cos I remember I could use Facebook's (Java) easy photo uploader in my PC's admin account, but I couldn't in my non-administrator ones. So I repeated the Java install in each of my PC's accounts. Perhaps that's the same issue here?

Or Candra, perhaps your browser's popup blocker also blocked the PK Chat popup window? Fix would be to include http://talk.portkey.org in your blocker's "exempted sites" list / filter.

I've been logging in and out of LiveChat without any problem for weeks now. Talked to DP, Phoenos, Marcella, and Newyn.

I've tried all methods but so far I'm finding it easier to use Method 2. Got disconnected in a middle of a conversation loads of times but I guess the problem is with my darn slow internet connection.

Okay, I felt the need to post here and let everyone know that I'm 100% backing up LiveChat's come-back. Oh, and also:

I noticed though that the LiveChat keeps on detecting that my signature (?) keeps on matching that of a spambot. I know I should ignore this but sometimes it gets irritating.

How do I keep this from happening or is there any way I could keep this from happening?

Candra - check too if you've got Adobe Flash Player enabled in your computer. Can you watch the videos in YouTube.com? I mean directly in YouTube.com, not a video embedded on another site)? 'Cos if you don't have Adobe FP then YouTube pages would say something like "You need to install Adobe Flash Player in your computer."

Right now I'm using another PC that doesn't have Adobe Flash Player yet. When looking at this PK chat page:
-- Firefox (browser) shows me a "Click here to download plugin" window instead of one that says "Java" (down the page below the descriptions of Methods 1, 2 and 3).
-- Internet Explorer 8 isn't showing anything in that same space.

Another reason Firefox rules over IE!



Could you make a screencap of that?

Need to go -- pc battery low!

click here for a wider scope of the screencap.

Have attached the bigger screencap
- Pen / g-t

Click to enlarge --> Click to view attachment

.

Looking around, it seems that many people using Java IRC are getting the same message.

I tested it out myself and got the same message. All I can guess is that a derivative of Java IRC client has been used by spammers at some point.

Short of using another client, I can't think of any way of getting rid of that message.

okay, I guess I'll just ignore it.

Whew! I thought I was the only one who keeps on getting that message and that I'm going to be blocked out of PK's LiveChat because of it recurring repeatedly. Heh.

Thanks, digi!

Pen, yeah, thanks for editing that post.
I haven't posted anything with pictures in the forums yet and I wasn't sure how the rules go when it comes to that so I wasn't really sure how I should post the screencap.