2/27 - PLEASE READ: Big Change in Chat Room Layout

[Karen-inVA (Moderator)]

There is a temporary chat room up until WE can hopefully get our main chat room issues sorted. Look under WEshows and then TEMP-WEchat or the direct link is http://wildearth.ning.com/page/tempwechat-1


Hi all,
Ning has made some new changes to the layout of some things and the Chat Room has a big change. Below is the info posted from them.

As promised, here’s the plan for a completely redesigned chat feature for your social network on Ning.

It’s taking us a bit longer to get it out the door because we’re rolling it out as a part of new photo, video and music flash players for your social network. All of these will come out in a release currently scheduled for February 26th and we’ll have more information on the new players shortly. But first, the new chat feature!
New Chat Features

We’ve retained all the great features you have on chat today, such as private chats, and are adding the following new features in this next version:

* Chat will be persistent on every page of your social network. With this new release, chat will become a bar across the bottom of every page of your social network (see screenshots after the jump). It will start in “bar mode” and will expand into “window mode”. *** choose the UP Arrow to open chat *** the Angled Left Arrow to pop out chat *** It will have a simple, consistent look across the social networks. However, each chat will be unique to each social network.
* You will be able to pop chat out of your network and keep it open as its own window. This is something many of you asked for and we’re happy to provide it in this next version.
* Sound notifications when messages are received. Notifications start OFF by default, but can be turned on through the options menu.
* Members will appear online more accurately. Because chat is now persistent across all pages on your social network, members will be displayed as online more accurately. However, there will still be the option for a member to make themselves invisible, if they choose.
* Reconnections will be more graceful. When a connection to the server is lost for some reason, chat will attempt to reconnect gracefully without requiring a page refresh, and if possible without affecting the member. There will be no more need to reload the page entirely and lose all your messages.
* Chat will now load the entire scrollable list of people online. No more clicking on ‘More’!. As a result, search will now be faster too.
* Better support for firewalls. This new version uses only port 80, the standard HTTP port.
* There will be local message history. Your chat client will now remember the last ten messages sent and allows to look at them by pressing Ctrl+UP and Ctrl+DOWN (arrow keys).
* Chat will now be in Flash. This means that you need to have a minimum of Flash 9 on your computer. You likely already have Flash 9 and, if not, we’ll have instructions for how to add it.

This new version also puts us on the path to release language customization in early March. Specifically, you’ll now be able to customize your chat from the Language Editor and support multiples languages.

The screenshots are after the jump…
*** Please see this page on Main Ning Server for snap shots - HERE

*************

Ending Notes after the snap shots....

As you can see, it is the same simple, clean design across both social networks.

The new chat feature will replace your chat tab and the current display options for chat today. We’re happy to work with you on coming up with the best transition recommendations so that your members won’t have a shock to the system. Just drop us a line in the Ning Help Center.

Thanks and we’d love your feedback!

*** Above info from the Ning Team not Wildearth ***


*** SHARING AGAIN *** - There is a temporary chat room up until WE can hopefully get our main chat room issues sorted. Look under WEshows and then TEMP-WEchat or the direct link is http://wildearth.ning.com/page/tempwechat-1

[Karen-inVA (Moderator)]

Please feel free to post any feedback/comments you may have about this new chat layout.

[midwestdesigns]

I don't care for it. I have a large monitor and the chat is tiny, and neither the text, or the window are resizable.

[Lisa]

I cannot run the chat and the drive at the same time because the flash is so hard on my computer sytsem and my screen freezes. For me it means no chat when drives are on unless I use Zap chat which is not my chatroom of choice. Is this mandatory for all ning sites across the board?
The old chatroom was very user freindly and easy on the eye ;( I am findng it hard to read and hard to follow the actual chat. I prefer the old chat which you could always open in a separate window by right clicking the chat link and selecting "open in new window" option.

[xy]

Difficult to read text. Seems slow at times but not a big issue, the ability to read is though.

[rose]

the chat is not only hard to find- but the small type print and format are very hard to read. the comments only show 5-6 on screen making it impossible to read back to others comments.The reason I do not like the chat beside the cam. The color contrast (black and white ) are
hard on eyes.
Apprently this design was meant for very young eyes and I do not have young eyes.!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Shame -- I have always enjoyed the friends I have made on WE chat but will have to limit my chatting

[KimJ]

Sorry, don't like it. I need the screen larger and this new format doesn't allow that. I'm all for change and upgrading to bigger and better, but this is neither.

[rose]

adding more------------------ I have been disconnected 3 times within 15 min and takes 3 min to get back - only to type and before comment is posted---DISCONNECT.
This is NOT the way a chat should be!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
A smooth running commentary is needed as things happen fast on drives.
Now it is disconnecting evry time I hit enter.
I will be missing one of the best things about the drive.
PLEASE SOMEONE fix it

[Tom (kb7get)]

Can someone post the URL to the chatroom here? Link is not clickable in firefox for me. Maybe I can get it that way.

[KimJ]

Tom, there should be a bar across the bottom of your screen that show WildEarth.TV chat then says how many members are online. Next to that are a couple of arrows and an outline of a person with either a red(offline) or a green(online) dot next to it. Click on one of those arrows and it should bring up the chat. Not sure you should even bother though, chat is horrid.

[Lisa]

I am not able to get online been trying for 20 minutes lol, its kind of ridiculous.
This is a Ning initiative so I suggest that people contact Ning, everyone!
Anyway I am disconnected from chat and it will not load no matter what I do including refresh, reopening the browser etc.
Rose....FB offer chat applications where you can open private rooms and chat with invited friends as an option while this all gets sorted out.
Lets hope Ning rethinks this change.
;(

[Tom (kb7get)]

KimJ said:

Tom, there should be a bar across the bottom of your screen that show WildEarth.TV chat then says how many members are online. Next to that are a couple of arrows and an outline of a person with either a red(offline) or a green(online) dot next to it. Click on one of those arrows and it should bring up the chat. Not sure you should even bother though, chat is horrid.

Thanks Kim. Finally figured that part out but can't seem to log in there now.. Maybe try again later and see if it works for me..

[KimJ]

Lisa said:

I am not able to get online been trying for 20 minutes lol, its kind of ridiculous.
This is a Ning initiative so I suggest that people contact Ning, everyone!
Anyway I am disconnected from chat and it will not load no matter what I do including refresh, reopening the browser etc.
Rose....FB offer chat applications where you can open private rooms and chat with invited friends as an option while this all gets sorted out.
Lets hope Ning rethinks this change.
;(

Lisa, I'm going to send you a friend request on FB.