I was looking for a chat program to integrate with a forum I setup using Simple Machines Forum. I thought I had found one. I went to install it, set it up, and integrate it. I had a fair bit of trouble with it so I went to the help forums for the forum software. It turned out that the software I was trying to use wasn’t being updated or supported any longer and on and on. There was a recommendation for X7 Chat.
Install-
This was very easy, the installer and the instructions were very easy to follow.
Integration-
Basically easy. It comes with instructions and files for integration in a variety of programs. I happen to be using it with Simple Machines Forum and the instructions were clear. As I recall, if you install it within the forum folder and using the forum adminstration information, it will utilize the authentication from Simple Machines Forum so if your users already log into the forum the don’t have to have a different user name and password to go straight into the Chat module.
I did have a little trouble finding just the right place in the various themes to place the link icon. The instructions are fairly clear on how to do it. However, that’s for the default theme. Some of the other themes are less kind and if you are going to change themes you will need to adjust the files for the different themes.
Customization-
This is seems fairly limited. It comes with a few different color themes. They are very stark. You can decide if you are going to have only one mass chat room or allow for seperate rooms to be created.
Conclusion
I generally like this software. I have not used it terribly extensively and so have not had to deal with too many quirks. I really like the ability to integrate with the forum so you don’t have to have a lot of extra usernames and passwords.
Originally published at: suguayproductions.com/joomla which has been discontinued.
