Chat interfaces

I'm trying to decide what kind of chat inferface I should offer my users. I guess the two big options seem to be flashchat and irc. IRC lets users connect using mirc or a java applet on the site. Flashchat might be easier for a lot of users since Flash is installed practically everywhere.

My site host doesn't allow IRC hosting, so I would find some place for that, but they don't allow chats like flashchat either.

Are there any other pros and cons that I'm missing for either?

 

I have not tried the phpchat client but that maybe your only option. The problem with the Java chat and other IRC chat clients is the way the applications listen for chat dialogue. It is very resource intensive.

Q...

 

right, thats why I assume my host doesn't allow chats.

 

Are you looking to create a 1 on 1 chat with prospective customers or a chat room where many can join to chat together?

 

chat room where many can join.

 

phpchat is pretty hungry - I had it running for around 24 hours with about 10 people on it and it used around 1.5Gig of data, and goes off to a database around every 4 seconds for Each user who is connected.

It is good for intermittant use unless you have the bandwidth and CPU cycles to burn.

 

I'm a big fan of flashchat, especially it's ability to integrate into all sorts of CMS.

 

Just go and register a chanel on dal.net, that's what I did ^^;;