Net Chat by Glenn Delahoy (C) Copyright 2004 All rights reserved Description ----------- A Windows local area network chat tool with multiple channels, invisible channels, private messages, fonts and nicknames. This tool uses the Windows mail slot communications protocol and is perfect for chatting in a Windows network environment. It's not suitable for chatting over the internet or any other kind of network. Channels -------- When you first start Net Chat, the Channels drop down list contains all active channels. To join a channel, select a channel from the drop down Channels list and click the Join button. The default 'chat' channel gives you a starting point. If you want to create a new channel just type the channel name into the same Channels area and click Join. All users currently listening on that channel will be listed on the right. This list is continuously updated as people join and leave the channel. Create an invisible channel by prepending it with a backslash, eg "\private". An invisible channel doesn't show up in the channel list. However anyone can join the channel if they know the channel name. Leave the channel by clicking the Leave button. You don't have to leave a channel if you want to join another, just select from the list and click Join. You're automatically removed from the previous channel. Messages -------- Type a message in the box at the bottom and press Enter or click the Send button. You'll see the conversation appear in the main area at the top left. Click the Font button to change your font style, size and colour. The current font is saved when you close the program. Double click on the user name in the right hand list to send a private message. Actions ------- Select a user, right click and select an action to send an action message to the channel. You can also right click on the message entry box to send an action message to the channel (not directed at anyone). These actions are customisable by modifying the [useractions] and [channelactions] sections of the ini file. User actions have two replaceable parameters: %s is the sender and %t is the target user of the action. Channel actions have just the %s parameter. You have to restart the program to load the new settings. Load up the actions.txt file to see some examples, in fact just copy and paste it into your netchat.ini file. Nickname -------- When you first run the program your user name is the Windows machine name. To change your user name, select the Set Nick option from the File menu. The nickname is saved when you close the program. Other Stuff ----------- Boss Key: Hit Escape real fast to minimise to the system tray. Busy Message: Set the busy message from the File menu. This message is displayed to the current channel whenever the application is minimised. Issues ------ You can have only one copy of Net Chat open at a time on any one machine. This is a limitation of the Windows mail slot system. Chat is not encrypted, thus anyone with the correct tools can monitor your conversation and private messages regardless of the channel you're in. Messages are limited to 400 characters in length. Once again this is a limitation of the Windows mail slot system. ---------------------------------------------------------------- Release Notes ------------- Version 1.4.1 ------------- Change 1: Corrected some control hints. Change 2: Your messages in the chat screen will have your nick coloured blue, everyone else's is coloured brown. Change 3: Added Leave Channel button. Version 1.4 ----------- Change 1: Correctly supports backslash characters in channel name. Change 2: Added boss key. Change 3: Added private messages. Change 4: Added invisible channels. Change 5: Added nicknames. Change 6: Reduced unnecessary network traffic. Change 7: Saves your font selection. Change 8: Saves size and position of main form. Change 9: Added user and channel actions. Change 10: Added busy message. Version 1.3 ----------- Change 1: Added vertical scroll bar to channel messages. Change 2: Added rich text and font selection dialog. Change 3: When you press Enter on the Channel combo or click the Join button the focus goes to the message entry ready for instant chat. Change 4: Minimises to system tray. Double click to restore or right click to access menu options. Version 1.2 ----------- Change 1: Rearranged the display to be a little more consistant with other chat programs. Change 2: The channel selection is now a combo and is always kept up to date with active channels. Change 3: Channel code rewritten so that joins and leaves are broadcast immediately to all users. The timed updates are gone. The channel list is also always kept up to date. ----------------------------------------------------------------- Comments/suggestions: support@delahoy.com http://www.glenn.delahoy.com