7 replies to this topic

[Mattmax]

Hi,

I always thought that IP.Chat was an for what's it's worth overpriced chat add-on that runs on your own server, and with multiple available alternatives without any user restrictions. I'm not sure why I thought that, but after reading the description from the product site again I realized that it's not your overall chat add-on, but a hosting service.

I have thought about this since and came to the conclusion that IP.Chat is pretty awesome. If it's true that it runs on IPS' servers it would mean that even people with a shared hosting plan can offer their users a chat. $20 per year for 20 users is pretty affordable.

Putting this aside, I fail to see how IP.Chat can work how it's advertised. I mean IP.Chat claims to use the own database of users and admins can maintain the chat like it was hosted on their own server. But how is this possible? When the chat is hosted on a foreign server how can this server have access to the database? Doesn't it have to query the local database all the time?

[bfarber]

IP.Chat is a hosted solution. You download an IP.Board addon application that you install on your site which provides the interface, however the actual software communicates with our hosted service and runs from our servers. Indeed, you can run it from a shared hosting environment, and in fact our own hosting accounts come with IP.Chat availability.

Your server actually initiates very little communication with the chat server. When a user enters the chat room, a request is made to your server, and your server contacts our service to add them. The page is loaded, and then the user's browser communicates directly with our chat service.

The two databases do not talk to each other, nor do they need to. Certain API calls are made as needed (e.g. to download chat logs, or add a user to the room as mentioned before), but this occurs through APIs and not direct database calls.

[Mattmax]

That was a good explanation. I think I got it now. Two more question, though.

1) Can IP.Chat be used as a shoutbox? (Without avatars and obviously only accessible on user's request).
2) If I buy a 6 months IPB license and a 1 year 20 users IP.Chat license, can I use IP.Chat after 6 months have expired without renewing my IPB license?

Thanks

[chilihead]

2. Yes.

[changeindia]

Hi

IP.Chat can work without avatars, but you need to do some customization. I did request in feedback to put option to remove the avatars in IP.Chat.

2 ) IP.Chat will work only if you have IPB Active License. Even if you buy 1 year license but if you IPB license is expired, it won't work.

[Mark H]

Hi

IP.Chat can work without avatars, but you need to do some customization. I did request in feedback to put option to remove the avatars in IP.Chat.

2 ) IP.Chat will work only if you have IPB Active License. Even if you buy 1 year license but if you IPB license is expired, it won't work.

#2) That's not fully correct. While an active license is required for the free 5-user Chat, if you purchase a Chat package of 20-user or higher, it will work without having active support on the Board license. 20-user and higher will work for the 1-year period of the Chat purchase.

[bfarber]

Regarding #1, IP.Chat runs inside a separate page and cannot be embedded as a 'shoutbox' into your forums, out of the box.

[saturnus]

IP. Chat cannot be used as a shoutbox, but there is a shoutbox hook that you can get for free:
http://community.inv.../4320-shoutbox/