Chat Software

Hi,

I want to add a chat feature to a site. Can anyone recommend any good software? I'm looking for something that's stable. Voice capabilities would also be great.

Thanks for any suggestions!
-Midori

If you're familiar with the IRC protocol (setting up a channel on an IRC server), the I'd recommend cgi::irc highly (perl CGI - find it at http://cgiirc..sourceforge.net) - it's quite basic but nice in that way because you can modify it to suit your site quite easily.

For IRC there's also the phpChat app (PHP) at http://www.phpwizard.net

The cgiirc app is quite straightforward to set up, but does depend on you having a host that doesn't mind outgoing irc connections (some really dislike the strain this can place on servers) and also a minimal understanding of perl cgi and installing scripts on a server.

Otherwise your best bet would be to go for a remotely hosted chat facility where you join up with a chat provider and they provide you with all the html code you need to get going - there are quite a few out there, it's just a matter of googling it. You don't get as much flexibility with this option, but it can be the way to go if you don't want much hassle.

This piece of software is great.

freespeech chat

JD

I've also just stumbled across a rather groovy and ingenious idea for (nearly) live chat on your web front page/index page. It's called 'Shoutbox' and can be found here: http://www.addict.net.nz/~glutnix/lab/shoutbox.php - nice looking site as well IMO.

It's quite a nice idea and probably ideal for a lot of sites.

Thanks for the vote of confidence jdk

Thanks for all of the suggestions!

-Midori