Minichat vs IRC

[u_name]

Personally, I like IRC over minichat for the following reasons:
1) minichat is a niche phpBB plugin whereas IRC is very mature standardized means of communication.
2) I like that I can leave my IRC client open and easily scroll up to see the history (also, how far back I can go is only limited by how much disk space I have)
3) I don't like the idea of the chatbox having to refresh every 5 seconds and calling it a chatroom. This is why we have sockets.
4) It does everything you need, and if it doesn't, you can write your own scripts to make it do what you want

Probably the biggest arguments for using Minichat would be
1) The integration with the forum
2) But it's always been done this way (argumentum ad antiquitatem)

IRC
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_Relay_Chat

Minichat
Admin can set the settings of the chat in the ACP
Admin can set permissions of who can use what on a per group or per user basis
Admin can set rules in the ACP
Admin can set bbcodes to not use in the ACP
Admin can set flood control in the ACP
Admin can set auto prune feature in the ACP
Admin can choose to display who is chatting on the index page
Admin can choose to set the display of the chat on the index page above or below the forum listing as well as a custom page
Admin can set the height of the chat
Admin can set refresh time for both the chat as well as the stats
Input area for chat messages will autogrow
Chat will not allow submission of chat more than once
Chat uses regular as well as custom bbcodes
Chat uses regular smilies
Users can choose several options in the UCP for the chat
Add-on new posts will get posted into the chat message when made
Admin can choose to have avatars displayed or not (users also have this ability if set to be viewed in the ACP)
Mod utilizes UMIL install file

[GoldenPower89]

Well, I prefer mini-chat because I can look at the forums and chat at the same time. Also, with mini-chat, I can see what other users said when I wasn't online.

[K73SK]

I have preference over Minichat as well. The only reason I'm trying out IRC at this time is to consider those who don't like forums or joining them and would rather communicate with the community via IRC. I'm currently trying to work on putting IRC on my other laptop with a bot that'll always be online so I can not only monitor what's said when I'm not in there, but also design some scripts for it in the future. But for now, the rooms are empty lol.

[u_name]

It's not empty, I'm there

I set up a bot for the channel. It's logs can be viewed here: http://legendoflegaia.tekk-support.com/. If you want, we can set up some kind of thing where you can host it/own it/whatever it. But for right now, it logs everything and is easily browsable.

[Redhollowlives999]

This sounds like a debate and I WILL DESTROY YOU.

Personally, I like IRC over minichat for the following reasons:
1) minichat is a niche phpBB plugin whereas IRC is very mature standardized means of communication.

Define Mature. Because according to the read context, it seems like you're just straight out being biased. But this IS your opinion; forgive the nitpicking.

2) I like that I can leave my IRC client open and easily scroll up to see the history (also, how far back I can go is only limited by how much disk space I have)

Not always a good thing (especially for a Reg. User). 2 much powah yo.

3) I don't like the idea of the chatbox having to refresh every 5 seconds and calling it a chatroom. This is why we have sockets.

It refresh automatically every 5 seconds, yes. But it refreshes automatically as soon as someone posts. That's kind of the reason why your posts upload as soon as you send them. The 5 second rule thing is kinda like the same rule we use for food at this point. We pick up the food anyways before 5 seconds are up, but we say 5 seconds cuz we greedy and fat.

4) It does everything you need, and if it doesn't, you can write your own scripts to make it do what you want

But what if the shoutout plugging already does what you want?

Probably the biggest arguments for using Minichat would be
1) The integration with the forum
2) But it's always been done this way (argumentum ad antiquitatem)

These two are basically the same thing. Yes some people don't like change (I'm one of them but I've learned to get over it), but to many others it's not always the case. Still, valid points nonetheless.

But MY biggest arguments for this is:
1) Requires more effort to moderate/keep in check than the forum chat for us +Mod goobers. I kinda "ugh"'d to myself when I realized I'd have another chat log to review. (Though this ain't something munchkins users have to worry about; this is more of a nitpick).
2) Kinda deviates attention from the main site.
3) It's an "optional" function that really wastes more time rather than endorse the site (which we really need to focus on).
4) We need a chat, which we have. It's not an amazing chat, but it certainly isn't horrible.


Now as for the ability to let Guests chat, I think that's a swell idea; I honestly would've approved of this thing 100% if I didn't have to moderate it too. Iunno these guests what if they try to bite me i iz skurd.

IRC
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_Relay_Chat

Where was this when I was asking WTH IRC was.

Minichat
Admin can set the settings of the chat in the ACP
Admin can set permissions of who can use what on a per group or per user basis
Admin can set rules in the ACP
Admin can set bbcodes to not use in the ACP
Admin can set flood control in the ACP
Admin can set auto prune feature in the ACP
Admin can choose to display who is chatting on the index page
Admin can choose to set the display of the chat on the index page above or below the forum listing as well as a custom page
Admin can set the height of the chat
Admin can set refresh time for both the chat as well as the stats

... Are these flaws or pros? Because they sound good, but it could be taken outta context (like sayin the Admin has all the power rawr). Most of this is common knowledge (at least for anyone who's been here long enough). This list doesn't really make either side more appealing; though because I'm a jerk I think it suits the Chat Box side. This list (so far) makes the plugin seem rather "stable" or "secure" as opposed to the wording of the wiki (what with them saying stuff like:
"Because IRC connections are usually unencrypted and typically span long time periods, they are an attractive target for Dos/DDoS attackers and hackers. Because of this, careful security policy is necessary to ensure that an IRC network is not susceptible to an attack such as a takeover war.".
Mhmmm. That sounds safe. But iunno nothing about this so whatevs.

Input area for chat messages will autogrow

That's great. The 500 (character/word?) limit could use a bit of tweaking though.

Chat will not allow submission of chat more than once

In a 3 second span? Pretty useful tool against spamming (could also use some tweaking though).

Chat uses regular as well as custom bbcodes
Chat uses regular smilies
Users can choose several options in the UCP for the chat
Add-on new posts will get posted into the chat message when made
Admin can choose to have avatars displayed or not (users also have this ability if set to be viewed in the ACP)
Mod utilizes UMIL install file

wut.




Eh, that's my counterargument for now (just to represent the members who don't like the idea). I've never been a fan of unnecessary/excessive things (like too much money or clothing; anything you can have an excess of that's not food). IRC (so far) is looking to be that way.


Since it's already an established thing, I'll roll with it though.