February 2nd, 2001
Today's WebSiteNotes is about adding a chat room to your website.
There are several ways to accomplish this. As online services and
many Web sites have discovered, live chat adds a new dimension to the
Internet experience. Chat lets users talk directly to you and, more
importantly, to each other.
Putting chat into your content mix can strengthen the bonds between
your users and your site or service. It also lets you mingle with
your constituency and gives people a reason to return to your site
again and again. Chat can help make your Web site a desirable
destination even when you haven't just added fresh content.
Help keep this E-zine free. Visit our advertisers today.
We hope that you find this newsletter interesting and useful.
Patrick Stoddard,
Editor
Free CGI-Script Chat Software
EveryChat
This is a web chat script designed to work under any browser,
to be as simple as possible for everyone, and it is one of the
most lightweight chat scripts out there.
>>>Cost: Free
DarkChat
DarkChat is a CGI script written in Perl. It doesn't have
multi-room capabilities, but it can still do private messages.
>>>Cost: Free
FreeChat
With FreeChat, users need not download any special software!
Their current web browser is all that is needed! Java is not
needed. A frames-capable browser is not required, but is
supported. A graphical browser is not required (so even Lynx
users can participate)
>>>Cost: Free
Free Java Applet Chat Tools
You may also decide to use a Java applet style for you chatroom.
There aren't as many free Java applets as there are Perl Scripts.
In fact, some can cost hundreds of dollars or more.
We'll focus more on the frugal webmasters, and show you how to get
started for Free.
MultiChat
MultiChat is a TCP/IP-based communication software allowing
users to conduct live chatting sessions. There is no need to
download or install any special software.
>>>Cost: Free
QuickChat
Using the QuickChat Code Generator, you can add a Java Chat
applet on your page with minimal work. Just copy and paste
the code on your page, and your chat is all setup.
>>>Cost: Free
ParaChat
ParaChat is not "yet another chat applet" - its fast, reliable,
customizable, and very easy to use.
>>>Cost: Free
Or, for those not yet comfortable with working with Java or Perl, try
this customizable, easy to setup chat room.
BeSeen
With BeSeen, you can add chat to your website or just get a room
to use as a free standing web destination.
>>>Cost: Free
Chat room Building Tutorials
The best way to keep from wasting your precious time and resources
is to take a short tutorial. Even if you are already familiar with
the basics, a refresher can almost always save you time in the long
run. Taking 15-30 min. to go through a tutorial can and will save
you time and the compulsion to pull your hair out. Three excellent
tutorials (as well as great resource sites) are:
WebMonkey's Java Chat Tutorial:
HTML Goodies Tutorial:
Another site for newbies to learn about Perl/CGI-Scripts and how to
use the free ones you find out there on the web is:
How To Use Your CGI-BIN
