Recommendations for site interactivity?

software or script solutions

[Marcia]

Some people are looking to have a site makeover, and include interactivity - message board or forum, and some sort of chat to replace telephone conferencing. There is a corresponding site in another state that is asp - I dont know if they want to use asp, or static HTML pages for the new site.

Any recommendations for software or scripts that are usable for these purposes and not difficult to configure?

[rcjordan]

Well, since you can't get the source code for WmW, I'd recommend UBB or Vbulletin. I like the look and feel of VB, but UBB is a standard and I do know it had good admin control features -VERY important, and often overlooked until it's too late.

[mivox]

My employer is using a pretty basic chat/help-desk script on his site... InstantTalk by CyberCortex. The downside is that I think only two people can be conversing at a time (customer & customer service rep). However, I'd bet the programmers could 'gussy it up' a bit to allow for multiperson chat.

As for message boards/forums, Ikonboard is nifty from a user's perspective... dunno about admin features.

[Marcia]

I assume we're talking Linux/Apache here, and not NT, right?

I will go check out UBB, since what's standard generally has a lot of support and info available. For chat they will need multiple users at a time.

I am trying to get a grasp of how involved this would have to be. At first, I thought their project might require a whole virtual intranet solution, but frankly, I don't think it's that tech-oriented a group to need anything but a simple solution.

[rcjordan]

I haven't upgraded to the latest version of UBB, but the version I used took about an hour or two to set up. Once the forums are established the admin stuff could be managed by rote. And documentation is available, but you & I know no one will read it. Don't mistake this for an enthusiastic endorsement for UBB, it's just the one I'd install for a client. I was running mine on a unix box.

[eljefe3]

>>As for message boards/forums, Ikonboard is nifty from a user's perspective... dunno about admin features.

I've got ikonboard installed and it took about 20 minutes to install. Very simple instructions, and the admin features are pretty rich. Heck, it's free also.

[Marcia]

Ok..this is a non-profit in the midwest that is up in the air for a while about what they want to do. It thought it was a done issue, but I heard back today, asking some more questions.

I believe they had considered a Yahoo type private board - I don't agree with that solution. I will check these out and see whether to pursue it further.

I will give these (one or both) a try on my own sites. Then, either for this,or my own purposes, or whatever else that may come up, I will have the experience of having installed it.

I believe chat is so resource-intensive that some hosts don't allow it. I will just check out some that are remote.

Thanks, I will try these.

[mark_roach]

Marcia

There is one major advantage with running something like a Yahoo private board, in that the load and bandwidth are shifted from your server. If your board is likely to be popular this is certainly worth considering. I would be interested to know how bandwidth WmW consumes.

[Marcia]

Mark, I am kind of gathering info for someone, and it's not sure whether I'll have anything to do with that site, but it would be low traffic, not a public board - just for organization members.

I still need to look into the boards, I was thinking of putting one on a site of my own a while back, and it's time to revisit the idea. Again, low volume. So timing is good. It's a good point you made about the traffic though.

Your question about bandwidth usage here could get a bit lost in the shuffle in this thread, but you will more likely get your answer if you ask in the newly launched WebmasterWorld Community Center. [webmasterworld.com]

Thanks,
Marcia