RALF'S CHAT V.12

The official website is http://www.ralfchat.de
Please leave a message at the message board and vote for my script at
www.cgi-resources.com. Donations help to keep the script alive, if you want
to donate something please mail me.


COPYRIGHT

The Script and this readme may only be given away "as is", unmodified
and complete. The Script is Freeware. Created and Copyright 1999-2000 
by Ralf Gueldemeister <ralf@ralfchat.de>. You are not allowed to sell
this script. If you want to use it for commercial purpose mail me.


INSTALLATION

- upload chat.cgi, chat2.cgi and config.pm (all in ASCII mode!) somewhere on 
  your server where cgi-scripts are allowed
- chmod 755 chat.cgi (all read and execute), chmod 755 chat2.cgi
- make a subdir "data" in the same directory
- chmod 777 data (all read, execute and write)
- if you want logs: mkdir logs; chmod 777 logs
- run the chat script with http://yourserver/path/chat.cgi


CONFIGURATION

You can configure the chat script at the config part which is at the
beginning of the config.pm file.

All the HTML files are in the html part of the three script files.


UPDATE FROM .11.2 TO .12

- sorry but there is no possibility to update from V.11.2, because
  of two comprehensive and fundamental changes


KNOWN BUGS

flocking is not supported completely


FAQ

Q: Can I use this script with Windows NT?
A: For using the chat under NT you have to try the following tips. But I can't 
   promise that it will work then. 
   - in config.pm change $data_dir to "/your_absolute_wwwpath/path_to_chat/data"
   - in chat.cgi and chat2.cgi replace "require config.pm;" with "$configpath = 
     '/your_absolute_wwwpath/path_to_chat/config.pm'; require $configpath;"
   - in all scripts "#!/usr/bin/perl" to "#!/bin/perl"
   - rename chat.cgi and chat2.cgi to chat.pl and chat2.pl, change 
     $script_name and $script2_name in config.pm to "chat.pl" and "chat2.pl"
   - set $flocking to 0 (in config.pm)
   Good luck.
Q: I always get the error "creating data/nicks failed", what is wrong?
A: You forgot to create the data-directory "data" and/or to chmod 777 (all all)
   it.
Q: What data directory should I use?
A: The best way is to choose a directory outside the www-accessable root maybe
   in your home directory. Else it could be possible that everyone can read
   the datafiles. You should check that.
Q: What is the masterpassword or how do I login as administrator?
A: There is no special account for administration. You have to login as 
   normal user and use the masterpassword for special command like
   /list_nicks mpw in the chat.
Q: How to setup mutiple chats?
A: Simply copy chat.cgi chat2.cgi config.pm and rename them like chat2.cgi 
   chat22.cgi config2.pm, then change "use config;" in chat2.cgi and 
   chat22.cgi to "use config2;". Adapt SCRIPTLINKS.HTML and CHATFRAMES.HTML 
   (commented lines). Set in config2.pm $script_name = "chat2.cgi",
   $script2_name = "chat22.cgi", $data_msg_file = "messages2",
   $data_stillalive_file = "stillalive2".
Q: How can I view the number of users currently online on a shtml page?
A: Simply add to the shtml page "<!--#include virtual="/cgi-bin/chat2.cgi?
   action=show_users"-->".
   If that encounters an error try "<!--#include virtual="http://www.your-
   server.com/cgi-bin/chat2.cgi?action=show_users"-->"
Q: How can I view the names of the users currently online on a shtml page?
A: Simply add to the shtml page "<!--#include virtual="/cgi-bin/chat2.cgi?
   action=show_usernames"-->".
Q: I get lots of errors running the script, what is wrong?
A: You probably have Perl 4 installed. But Ralfs Chat requires Perl 5.
   Try to set the path in the first line to #!/usr/bin/perl5. Else update your
   Perl version.
Q: How can I allow html in messages?
A: Allowing html in messages is a very big security problem. If you really know 
   what you do search for "# kill html-tags" in chat.cgi and remove this and the 
   next line.


CHANGES

- Version .12
$flocking
admin memo to all users
small workaround for MSIE refresh flashing
$international_nicks
sub chat2.cgi:show_usernames to show names of online users (via SSI)
added messages part for easier modifications and translation
added sub user_error_html
login sound (chosen by user)
update messages when posting new msg
added $html_css
chat stops after login if new memos are available
/ip
case insensitive commands and nicks
pause button


TODO

?add real mutiple rooms
?private rooms
?autokick
!/ignore
check sa in postmsg function or chat main frame
?small pictures beside username
realtime version (allow user to choose)
?buttons as pictures (logout, options..)
?/away - "be right back" pic next to username
?/seen


THANKS

- to all support members, the beta testers, the translators and donators
- to my brother who supported me whenever possible
- Markus and The X-Files World Order for inspiring me
- to everyone else using my script for help me keeping the script alive 