Mentally Incontinent Chat

jeremy · Posted: Tue Mar 25, 2008 12:27 am Post subject: Mentally Incontinent Chat

Hey folks,

So Joe was searching around the interweb looking for a good MI chat client after a few complaints from others in the past.

So there are a couple options, we currently have IRC based chat, which you can use any of your own irc chat programs (mirc) or the java based chat room on the website (http://www.mentallyincontinent.com/chattychat/new).

What Joe's thinking about is a flash based chat app that would run in your web browser. (http://www.tufat.com/s_flash_chat_chatroom.htm)

Pro's and Con's of each from my perspective...

IRC
Pro:
- separate stand alone app, can leave running in background, always there.
- website based version available for times you can't install an irc client
- can be connected to many different servers and chat rooms in the same client

Cons:
- A bit of a learning curve to figure out irc
- needs port 6667 open (meaning some folks can't use it from work firewall)
- needs a standalone client or web-based java client enabled to connect to 6667

Flash Based
Pro:
- Most everyone has flash installed and no configuring or anything required except name
- rides on port 80, meaning if you can browse the web, you can chat
- instantly available to visitors / new people / those inexperienced with configuring irc (even with java)

Cons:
- It's flash...
- You'd have to leave a browser window open whenever you wanted to stay in the chat room

Ok, people can feel free to post their own pro's and con's i'm a bit biased, so others can post what they feel for either, do let us know.

*** Joe edited this to add cons to IRC and some pros to Flash ***
_________________
http://www.jeremyhalvorsen.com

"Just because I rock doesn't mean I'm made of stone"

Jaguar · Brand New Joined: Jan 22, 2008 Posts: 1

IRC Pro: Can be accessed from every platform imaginable.

Do you really want to chat with someone who can't figure out IRC? And how would a flash based chat client be any better than a Java one connected to the regular IRC net?

mndsm · Posted: Tue Mar 25, 2008 1:08 am Post subject:

IRC does pose some problems for those of us primarily on a work PC where you can't dl an IRC client, and the virtual ones are few and far between.
_________________
I want to go out of this life the same way I came in. Screaming at the top of my lungs and covered in someone else's blood.

jeremy · Posted: Tue Mar 25, 2008 2:24 am Post subject:

Arquinsiel · Posted: Tue Mar 25, 2008 3:37 am Post subject:

If I can't use IRC then chances are you'll never see me in the chat again. I like my idling capabilities.
_________________

jeremy · Posted: Tue Mar 25, 2008 3:56 am Post subject:

opiumfireworksandlead · Posted: Tue Mar 25, 2008 5:11 am Post subject:

i don't go on chatty chat, but for those who do, i vote IRC. sooooo much better.

DarkAngela · Posted: Tue Mar 25, 2008 8:55 pm Post subject:

It kind of sounds like it'd be two different rooms? Personally, I like the jIRC version fine, but I can't use it from work.

Which brings me to my next question: would there some way for the people in the IT department to tell I'm connected on the Flash version? (If so, it wouldn't matter for me.

)

And finally, if I can't download Flash player from their website, is there a way for me to get it? I tried putting it on a disc, but that didn't work (keep in mind I'm as close to a computer-retard as you can get in a technical field).
_________________
Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind.

***Joe the Peacock*** · Posted: Tue Mar 25, 2008 9:48 pm Post subject:

if they're monitoring all web traffic, sure, but otherwise it looks just like any connection you make out of your browser.

And flash can be downloaded and installed from any site that has a flash object, so long as your administrators have given you privileges to install software and plugins.

jahnbodah · Posted: Wed Mar 26, 2008 7:39 am Post subject:

IRC all the way.

Is there any way to get a flash irc client that auto connects to the correct server, something like http://uploads.ungrounded.net/229000/229951_irc.swf perhaps?

I would really like something that is compatible with the PSP browser. If at all possible.
_________________
WOOHOO!!!! A place for my signature! ...ok...
...lets see...um...
JahnBodah
...Yep! There we go! ...wow, that handwritting is kinda sloppy...I hope people can read it...
...?

poisnedcoke · Posted: Wed Mar 26, 2008 12:15 pm Post subject:

I was looking for you stuck up mother fuckers to actually talk to me when I sign on.

Zarf · Posted: Wed Mar 26, 2008 6:05 pm Post subject:

Well, I might be willing to try chat if it was flash. The IRC won't work through our firewall. I control the firewall and was not inclined to go through the hassle of opening the ports.

As for your question about IT knowing what you were doing. I half agree with Joe. The problem is, since you will be sending messages, you will look like you are constantly surfing the web. So, while they may not immediately know you are chatting, they will see lots of traffic and think you are not working (which you essentially aren't). So, I'd still use it with caution.

Either way, my vote is suspect since I may still not use it.

DarkAngela · Posted: Wed Mar 26, 2008 7:34 pm Post subject:

Blah. Someone told me today that IT cut off Flash. I'm not sure what they did...only that it worked for her a while back, and now it doesn't.
_________________
Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind.

jeremy · Posted: Wed Mar 26, 2008 7:39 pm Post subject:

poisnedcoke · Posted: Thu Mar 27, 2008 8:36 am Post subject: