Pichat chat features
Last update 09/Jul/2010 by Mark Seuffert
Overview:
1. Main chat features2.1. Features list, user interface
2.2. Features list, chat functionality
2.3. Features list, webchat functionality
3. Additional services
1. Main chat features
Pichat is a software to communicate and exchange information. It offers a chat system for
direct one-on-one communication and as well for group communication. Its primary goals are
simplicity, comfort, privacy, stability and free information exchange. Pichat fits well as
private chat for friends, as a community chat system and for business support.
Here is an overview of the main chat features:
Peer-to-peer chat (P2P)
Pichat software with built-in webchat
Everyone can run an own chat server. The chat does not rely on
a centralised server, instead you can directly connect to your friends on the Internet and
the local network (LAN). If you are at home or at office other chats will be automatically
detected.
Smileys, graphics and colors
Use smileys to express feelings, to laugh, to swear or to flirt. Smileys make it easier to communicate, the chat shows smileys and small graphics in the chat window. You can format text with bold and colors, you can even send links to other users.
Use smileys to express feelings, to laugh, to swear or to flirt. Smileys make it easier to communicate, the chat shows smileys and small graphics in the chat window. You can format text with bold and colors, you can even send links to other users.
Contact list for friends
Stay in contact with your friends and co-workers. You can store friends together with chat address and comments. When the chat starts it connects to other chat servers and stays connected even if the (wireless) network is temporarily interrupted.
Stay in contact with your friends and co-workers. You can store friends together with chat address and comments. When the chat starts it connects to other chat servers and stays connected even if the (wireless) network is temporarily interrupted.
Built-in webchat
Pichat comes with an built-in webchat. You don't need to download or install anything to chat, all you need is a web browser. You can start immediately and chat with others. There is also a integrated web server to share files with your friends.
Pichat comes with an built-in webchat. You don't need to download or install anything to chat, all you need is a web browser. You can start immediately and chat with others. There is also a integrated web server to share files with your friends.
Plugin support
Extend the chat with additional features. With plugins you can add new functionality, for example show a webcam picture or add a chat bot that interacts with users. Developers can create their own plugins, there is a software development kit (SDK).
Extend the chat with additional features. With plugins you can add new functionality, for example show a webcam picture or add a chat bot that interacts with users. Developers can create their own plugins, there is a software development kit (SDK).
Multiple chatrooms
There are multiple chatrooms on a chat server to talk about different topics. Chatrooms are usually open for anyone, conference rooms require a code to join, moderated chatrooms allow only specific users to write. You can ban users from chatrooms if necessary.
There are multiple chatrooms on a chat server to talk about different topics. Chatrooms are usually open for anyone, conference rooms require a code to join, moderated chatrooms allow only specific users to write. You can ban users from chatrooms if necessary.
Multiple languages
Users can talk in their own language. Pichat has an international orientation and shows the chat automatically in the language of the user. English, German and Swedish languages are included, it is possible to download more languages or to translate the chat.
Users can talk in their own language. Pichat has an international orientation and shows the chat automatically in the language of the user. English, German and Swedish languages are included, it is possible to download more languages or to translate the chat.
Multi platform support
The chat runs on Linux, BSD and Windows. The chat server has a low CPU and traffic consumption even with hundreds of users, it uses streaming and data compression. The chat status is available anytime as web page with chat activity and traffic statistics.
The chat runs on Linux, BSD and Windows. The chat server has a low CPU and traffic consumption even with hundreds of users, it uses streaming and data compression. The chat status is available anytime as web page with chat activity and traffic statistics.
Customisable
Pichat is easily integrated and adjusted to your needs. It can serve a variety of protocols and formats (text, telnet, XML, web interface), allowing chats to be easily accessed from anywhere. You can configure colors, graphics, chat actions and many things more.
Pichat is easily integrated and adjusted to your needs. It can serve a variety of protocols and formats (text, telnet, XML, web interface), allowing chats to be easily accessed from anywhere. You can configure colors, graphics, chat actions and many things more.
For a quick demo please visit one of our webchats... 
2.1. Features list, user interface
The following is a list of user interface features in the Pichat software:
- tabs for multiple chat windows
- smileys, graphics, colors, text formatting and links
- contact list for friends
- configurable sound effects
- automatic idle away (if you don't say anything)
- automatic lag detection (server ping time)
- do not disturb mode (no more sound effects)
- sticky window mode (chat window stays on top)
- multiple color schemes with optional color scheme packs
- multiple languages with optional language packs
- English/German/Swedish language included per default
- nickname highlight with optional blinking notification
- nickname completion in chat input
- input history with recent typed-in text lines
- chatrooms and users display in chat window
- optional time stamp in chat window
- optional text filtering in chat window
- optional logging of chat conversations and private messages
- aliases for common chat commands
- status dialog with chat activity and user number
- options dialog for basic chat settings
- experimental 3D visualisation in OpenGL
2.2. Features list, chat functionality
The following is a list of general chat features in the Pichat software:
- peer-to-peer-chat (P2P)
- conference rooms and moderated chatrooms
- registered users with reserved nicknames
- visitors with restricted access
- private messages between users (can be disabled for certain users)
- chat admins with ability to ban and remove users
- compressed chat data transfer
- activity and traffic statistics
- chat status available as web page and RSS feed
- chat server logfile with optional hourly status
- configurable chat actions to invoke external programs
- message of the day (shown when someone enters the chat)
- low CPU and memory consumption with hundreds of users
- works also without Internet connection as LAN Messenger
- automatic detection of chats in local network (LAN)
- automatic chat server reconnect and nickname regain
- automatic safeguard on user names with too many failed login attempts
- filtered IP-address display and logging
- text chat for simple chat clients, available in RAW/ANSI/XML format
- text chat for telnet with interactive login and colors
- plugin support for additional chat features
2.3. Features list, webchat functionality
The following is a list of webchat and web server features in the Pichat software:
- built-in webchat with graphics, colors, text formatting and links
- webchat in pure HTML/XHTML, no PHP/Flash/Java required
- webchat is covering wide range of web browsers including text browsers
- webchat makes use of modern web browsers with CSS, DOM and JavaScript
- webchat offers streaming and simple polling (server push and browser pull)
- webchat is highly customisable via templates, web page parser included
- built-in web server, no additional software required
- web server supports SSL accelerator and reverse HTTP proxy
- web server with persistent connections (HTTP 1.1)
- web server with on the fly compression (for uncompressed files)
- web server with combined logfile format (including referer and user agent)
- web server with basic authentication (for password protected files)
- web server with partial file transfer (for resuming interrupted downloads)
- web server with directory browsing and custom error pages
- web server with GET/HEAD/POST/OPTIONS/TRACE methods
3. Additional services
There are some more services and features you can use:
- demo chat server in Europe and the USA
- automatic download of software updates
- software development kit (SDK) with libraries, examples and unit tests
- built-in crash report, event log and debug information for trouble shooting
- HTTP proxy support for users behind a firewall
- multi platform support for Linux, BSD and Windows
- no crapware bundled, 100% free of unwanted software and advertising
