Afternoon.

--
Charles Sweeney
http://CharlesSweeney.com

hi, Charles!

Hope all is well with you.

Boldchat may do what you like. Has a piece of code on the webpage, and
when a visitor clicks the button, your pc rings a bell and you can
chat.
http://boldchat.com/

--
Els http://locusmeus.com/
Sonhos vem. Sonhos vo. O resto imperfeito.
- Renato Russo -

Els, i am looking at boldchat now.

This looks really neat.....gonna sign up and try it out.

Many thanks for the suggestion.

Because not everyone has YM and I'd think plenty of people wouldn't
want to have to go sign up for it as a precursor to contacting the
webmaster.

--
Blinky Linux Registered User 297263
Killing all Usenet posts from Google Groups
Info: http://blinkynet.net/comp/uip5.html
*ALSO contains links for access to the NON-BETA GG archive interface*

I refuse to use IM's of any kind, except IRC. Mostly because you have to
either pay a fee for them, or get served ads. Also because I don't like
to be so easy to contact via a chat medium. :P I can easily be found via
IRC (which I am on right now, actually), one just needs to apply some
effort, that's all.

If I *needed* to use any form of IM to contact a host or another webmaster
(with no other channel available), I would consider that a serious barrier
to doing business.

Grey

--
The technical axiom that nothing is impossible sinisterly implies the
pitfall corollary that nothing is ridiculous.
- http://www.greywyvern.com/ringmaker - Orca Ringmaker: Host a web ring
from your website!

Not true if you use a 3rd party IM clients like Trillian (windows) or
GAIM (multiplatform).

PHP Live! is something I've seen put into use recently at a deservedly
maligned webhosting company. Even though the host (AH) sucks rocks,
the chat solution they chose doesn't seem too shabby:
http://www.phplivesupport.com/


IRC is another avenue, but there are drawbacks to it since IRC tends
to attract the hax0r crowd.

Best Regards,
--
Todd H.
http://www.toddh.net/

In Windows, I've done ICQ and YM with Trillian (a multi-IM app). Free.
No ads served.

In Linux, ditto GAIM and Kopete. Free. No ads.

--
Blinky Linux Registered User 297263
Killing all Usenet posts from Google Groups
Info: http://blinkynet.net/comp/uip5.html
*ALSO contains links for access to the NON-BETA GG archive interface*

Trillian also does AIM and MSN. MSN, btw, is also free and doesn't
serve ads. I actually prefer the MSN interface to most of the others,
but use Trillian for friends who insist on AIM.

--

MGW

You can set most of the IM's so that no one can contact you unless you
give them your username and approve them, and you can set yourself as
being "away" when you don't want to be bothered.

--

MGW

The last time I checked Trillian, the Basic version (free) gave you
practically nothing, while the Pro version ($$$) had all the features. I
just checked and you *do* get a lot more in the Basic version now, but
still, I don't really want to return to those days where I spent all my
time chatting because it was so easy for anyone to contact me. And yesh,
I know there is an "online but invisible" setting :P

I have a Linux machine, but the last time I tried to install GAIM it was a
nightmare of dependancy errors, on a fully updated version of Mandrake.
That was in the days when I still loved my IM. These days, I'm glad I
don't use them, so I have not tried installing it again.

Grey

--
The technical axiom that nothing is impossible sinisterly implies the
pitfall corollary that nothing is ridiculous.
- http://www.greywyvern.com/ringmaker - Orca Ringmaker: Host a web ring
from your website!

When I don't want to be bothered (which is 99.44% of the time), I don't
run the chat app. :)

--
Blinky Linux Registered User 297263
Killing all Usenet posts from Google Groups
Info: http://blinkynet.net/comp/uip5.html
*ALSO contains links for access to the NON-BETA GG archive interface*

I know about these features: I used to be a junkie; but now I like being a
recluse. If someone wants to contact me via a chat medium, they can
figure out how to do it in a few minutes. For anyone else who doesn't
want to make that effort, they probably didn't want to talk to me all that
bad anyway ;)

Grey

--
The technical axiom that nothing is impossible sinisterly implies the
pitfall corollary that nothing is ridiculous.
- http://www.greywyvern.com/ringmaker - Orca Ringmaker: Host a web ring
from your website!

I use both Trillian (for Yahoo and MSN, but it does AIM, ICQ and IRC
too) and the Yahoo and MSN proper clients. MSN does serve ads, but I
don't see them, cause I've got my MSN client integrated in a desktop
sidebar. There is one line of text ad in the bottom of the chat window
though, but I've managed to use MSN for 2 years now before I recently
noticed it was an ad. For Yahoo I use the UK version, which doesn't
serve me ads either (cause I unticked the appropriate box).

And as Blinky said, Kopete on Linux doesn't show any ads either.

--
Els http://locusmeus.com/
Sonhos vem. Sonhos vo. O resto imperfeito.
- Renato Russo -

Funny - I checked before posting that about MSN, and I'm not seeing
any ads at all. Wonder why the difference?

--

MGW

I'm using a Dutch version, maybe that's different?

http://here.locusmeus.com/misc/msn.jpg
The last line, in Dutch, says "More information about personalizing
MSN Messenger". It's an ad, as clicking it goes to the MSN page where
you can buy personalized avatars and stuff.

--
Els http://locusmeus.com/
Sonhos vem. Sonhos vo. O resto imperfeito.
- Renato Russo -

That might be it, because I definitely don't get that line.

--

MGW

Not bad, all things considered. Hope you're well too.

--
Charles Sweeney
http://CharlesSweeney.com

Not true IMO unless you consider video chat as essential.


--
Todd H.
http://www.toddh.net/

i don't like the sound of that.

i won't pry - but i hope things get better.

cheers bud! Things have been okay.....getting back into better form these
past two weeks. Great weather today! I am roughly on the same latitude
as you.....so we will be having similar temps. Today was the hottest day
so far of the summer.

they can always email, phone, fill in the php contact form, etc.

It just adds another option.

Do not contradict me, mortal.

The "last time I checked Trillian" was over a year ago. I was actually a
dedicated user before and until they first implemented the payment
scheme. At that time you needed to pay to get *any* of the "good"
features.

Grey

--
The technical axiom that nothing is impossible sinisterly implies the
pitfall corollary that nothing is ridiculous.
- http://www.greywyvern.com/ringmaker - Orca Ringmaker: Host a web ring
from your website!

i know where you're coming from, grey.

It took me years to get a phone in and start using it.

And in modern times, i adamantly refuse to use a mobile phone. I can't
stand them.

anyone use paltalk or skype?

i did hear that skype was very good.........never tried it yet myself.

I've heard about Skype, it's supposed to be good. Certain individuals
from this newsgroup have pressured me to get it ;) Perhaps I may, someday.

Grey

--
The technical axiom that nothing is impossible sinisterly implies the
pitfall corollary that nothing is ridiculous.
- http://www.greywyvern.com/ringmaker - Orca Ringmaker: Host a web ring
from your website!

Don't post dung, and I won't need to. :-)

I presently use Basic on one machine and Pro on another. Exactly what
features do you consider the "good" features?

The only difference that ever becomes noticeable to me is that Pro
makes the contact history more plainly visible in the main message
window (on basic you just have to right click and do view contact
history and review it another window), and Pro has support for
multiple identities (useful for roommates sharing a computer, for
instance, or if you wanna have multiple connections to AIM with
different icons/screennames concurently) while Basic has one
identity.

I bought the pro version because the low cost and the impressiveness
of the interface made me more than happy to support them. I can
understand some bitterness though if you were on board back when there
was a free lunch though.

Best Regards,
--
Todd H.
http://www.toddh.net/

When I was going to university, I had a cell phone. I needed it since I
commuted and there were people I needed to get in touch with from time to
time.

When I started working 9-to-5, I found I only used the thing perhaps three
times a month, so I let my contract lapse. I haven't felt the need to get
one since.

I also don't feel any urge to get: an iPod, an XBox, a Mustang, stocks in
Google, a haircut, or anything else that people these days can't seem to
live without. :P

Grey

--
The technical axiom that nothing is impossible sinisterly implies the
pitfall corollary that nothing is ridiculous.
- http://www.greywyvern.com/ringmaker - Orca Ringmaker: Host a web ring
from your website!

I can tell you weren't around when the "free lunch" ended. When they
released their first "Pro" version it had *all* the new features which
Cerulean had been working on. The Basic version pretty much stagnated at
version 0.74 and only security updates were released. As an example: when
Yahoo! and AIM first changed their protocols after the Trillian
divergence, the patch to make Trillian compatible again was only available
to the paid Pro subscribers. Basic users were SOL.

It took several months for the features in Trillian Pro to finally filter
down into the free version, and during that time, I uninstalled the mess
which was 0.74 and haven't looked back until I checked their site just
today.

Grey

--
The technical axiom that nothing is impossible sinisterly implies the
pitfall corollary that nothing is ridiculous.
- http://www.greywyvern.com/ringmaker - Orca Ringmaker: Host a web ring
from your website!

I was thinking about the state of the world, not me personally! As for
me, upright, breathing, and all my bits working. (or were when I last
checked).

Aye, scorcher here in Bonnie Scotland, nearly 90 degrees, we are NOT
used to this!

--
Charles Sweeney
http://CharlesSweeney.com

I'm with you on all of those, except the haircut!

--
Charles Sweeney
http://CharlesSweeney.com

If your customer's account has CPanel / Fantastico, there are some bundled
live help scripts. One that looks interesting, called Help Center Live,
combines FAQ / support ticket / live customer chat. Haven't tried it yet,
so I can't vouch for ease of setup or functionality.

I've also used www.get1on1.com. Their free account is OK if your client's
needs are minimal.

Cheers,
TL

I screwed up and agreed to go to a party in Palm Springs, this weekend;
that's out in the desert, a couple hours outside Los Angeles by car, and
last time I went there in summer it was 113F/45C when I got out of the
car. That said (and what actually prompted me to post), what kind of
humidity goes along with those high temps you're seeing? Is it
oppressively muggy, as well, or is it dry?

--
Blinky Linux Registered User 297263
Killing all Usenet posts from Google Groups
Info: http://blinkynet.net/comp/uip5.html
*ALSO contains links for access to the NON-BETA GG archive interface*

Would you say it happens once every 15 years maybe?
In the summer of 1990 I was in Scotland (Edinburgh, Inverness, Skye,
Glasgow) and except for one day of rain, we only had really nice hot
weather. Included "sunbathing" on the roof of the little boat that
does the tourist trip on Loch Ness :-)

--
Els http://locusmeus.com/
Sonhos vem. Sonhos vo. O resto imperfeito.
- Renato Russo -

I got the pro version for the feature "separate your contact lists",
only a couple of months ago. AFAIK the free version still doesn't
support that.

--
Els http://locusmeus.com/
Sonhos vem. Sonhos vo. O resto imperfeito.
- Renato Russo -

Skype is good indeed. The sound quality is like being in the same room
with the other person. Better than phone. (my phone that is, ymmv)

--
Els http://locusmeus.com/
Sonhos vem. Sonhos vo. O resto imperfeito.
- Renato Russo -

That's because you don't have a pony tail :P

(yes, I do get haircuts - only twice a year or so though)

--
Els http://locusmeus.com/
Sonhos vem. Sonhos vo. O resto imperfeito.
- Renato Russo -

That's got to be tough on a shark :(

Grey

--
The technical axiom that nothing is impossible sinisterly implies the
pitfall corollary that nothing is ridiculous.
- http://www.greywyvern.com/ringmaker - Orca Ringmaker: Host a web ring
from your website!

I'm not sure what you mean by this. I have the free version and I'm
able to sort my contact list into separate groups - do you mean
something different from that?

--

MGW

skype works well but so far as I know both/all parties must be running
Skype to make the connection. OTOH there are stsndards compliant voice
clients which work well, but I don't have any loaded atm.

--
William Tasso

** Business as usual

Separate groups is not the problem. It's like you have an MSN account
x, with contacts a, b and c. Now you have another MSN account, y, with
contacts k, l, and m.

In Trillian Pro, you can run both these accounts without the contacts
getting mixed up. In the free version, you can run account x, but as
soon as you try to run account y, contacts k, l and m will be added to
your account x, and contacts a, b and c will be added to your account
y. Usually not what you want, or you wouldn't have had 2 separate
accounts anyway.

--
Els http://locusmeus.com/
Sonhos vem. Sonhos vo. O resto imperfeito.
- Renato Russo -

Sounds horrendously complex - and I thought it was men that like to
compartmentalise their lives.

--
William Tasso

** Business as usual

In Trillianese, Pro supports multiple Identities, while Basic does
not.

Each identity has its own name, and buddy icon. Within an identity,
you have a buddylist which is an amalgamation of all the IM accounts
tied to that identiy.

Basic gives you one identity. So if you use multiple, say AIM accounts
with it, your trillian buddylist consolidates your AIM contacts from
both accounts within its buddylist for that one identity.

Best Regards,
--
Todd H.
http://www.toddh.net/

Okay, maybe Todd's explanation is better for you/women ;P

--
Els http://locusmeus.com/
Sonhos vem. Sonhos vo. O resto imperfeito.
- Renato Russo -

We require constant hosing-down with cool water.

--
Blinky Linux Registered User 297263
Killing all Usenet posts from Google Groups
Info: http://blinkynet.net/comp/uip5.html
*ALSO contains links for access to the NON-BETA GG archive interface*

Hee hee.

Actually, identities are useful for protecting your identity/privacy
to populations you'd rather not be so forthright with.

For instance, maintaining a "work" personna where your screen name is
tied to your work and/or your real name, while a more anonymous
"other" personna where riff raff in hobby newsgroups might contact
you. And you wouldn't want the possibility of mistakenly replying to
your biggest fully managed web hosting client via the screename
RocknRoll-HelloKittyCollector or some such.


Best Regards,
--
Todd H.
http://www.toddh.net/

Majorly muggy this evening. Here it's damp all year round!

--
Charles Sweeney
http://CharlesSweeney.com

I don't know, it just seems like it! The hottest I remember was 1976,
which funnily enough is about 15 years before 1990!

--
Charles Sweeney
http://CharlesSweeney.com

I'm not sure. Does that mean you have long hair, or long-short, long-
short?!

--
Charles Sweeney
http://CharlesSweeney.com

<g>
You poor Scots! ;-)

--
Els http://locusmeus.com/
Sonhos vem. Sonhos vo. O resto imperfeito.
- Renato Russo -