Forum IM

[wassup]

I was thinking it would be useful to have an instant messaging at the bottom of the screen, sort of like how facebook has an IM at the bottom, if allowed, i would like to help with this, but if it's no possible I understand too, just an idea.

[JeffM]

that is more of a feature for the BZFlag Players Social site we are working on.

[wassup]

Will it be integrated and used through this site?

And who would i be able to talk to to get on board with helping make this?

[JeffM]

It would be linked from this site and use global login (BZBB accounts). The goal is to make a site just for players so we can make these boards just be for project support.

We are currently evaluating various web packages that do social networking, the current front runner is http://elgg.org/ but buddypress may be an option.

[wassup]

Also an option, my brother is a huge fan of ning.com

Just wanted to throw that out there.

[JeffM]

I looked at that, but the main goal would be to create our own hosted site that could use the same users as the forum/global login. A third party site could not do that.

[Sniper752]

If u need ideas look at www.x-plane.org
they have what they call a "shoutbox" at the top of the screen.

[JeffM]

We are looking for something MUCH MUCH more then a shoutbox. If all we wanted to do was have chat/IM there are many plug-ins for phpbb that would do it. We want something more or less like facebook for players. A place where you each have your own page, can add friends, make groups, and have group discussions.

[Bambino]

For the groups, would it enable users to create their own groups for server administration?

Will this happen before or after the sun explodes?

[JeffM]

No, that it is not part of the initial goal. There is a project that was started to let people create game management groups (http://my.bzflag.org/w/Group_Management_System). Game group management has some slightly different needs then social grouping so it would be better served by it's own system.

As for when it is done, as always that depends on many things, like how much effort is put into it.

[wassup]

You can count me in, I'd love to see this happen.

[blast]

Also, the "groups" in the social site would not be related to the "groups" used for assigning permissions. The social site groups would be alike the groups on facebook - like, "The Red Team Is The Best Team" group. Or, the "Tanks shouldn't fly!" group.