Chat System Returns!

[EpicNPC]

We have a new chat system that will soon be enabled for all accounts. We're just making a few minor adjustments first, then we'll enable it for everyone.

Features

• Chat button on members profile on posts for quick contact
• Chat notifications when you get a new chat request
• Chats recorded as normal "conversations" that will appear in your inbox if you want to view or continue the chat at a later time
• Chat is restricted to the same limits as your inbox. This means free members are limited to 20 messages/chats before they have to delete some.
• Group chat: Members can add additional members to join the chat
• You have to verify a phone number before you can use the chat

If you have any questions or notice a bug, please post here.

Update Oct 18th: We are rebuilding the chat system as it caused too much server load, it just wan't efficient enough to handle the activity. We should have a new version ready sometime in November.

Update Nov 22nd: The chat is back up and and server load issue should now be resolved, however we don't know for sure until we test for a few hours on the live site. If you notice any issues with the chat, any bugs or anything else. Please post here.

Update Nov 23rd: We have disabled the chat again as the server load was still too high. It was much better than before, but still not where we want it. We don't want the chat to have any impact on page load. We'll be making some modifications to resolve this or possibly move the chat to it's own server so it does not impact the site.

Update Nov 24th: We made an adjustment which appears to have solved the issue. We'll be monitoring over the next few hrs to see how it goes and if we don't see any major increase in server load it will remain enabled.

After a 2 hour test our server load remains normal It looks like our adjustment worked so chat will remain enabled permanently now.

 

[The Integrity]

It's much better than the old one.
Just move the chat now button somewhere else. It looks really bad under the username.

 

[EpicNPC]

I wanted it near the top of the profile so easy to see, but I'm not completely satisfied with the look either. We'll work on some different designs and move it around if we come up with something better.

 

[EpicNPC]

The chat has been temporarily re-enabled. We've made some adjustments and we're hoping it won't overload our server now. If it happens again, we're going to disable chat and try something else.

 

[The Integrity]

There are 2 problems (one is very annoying!):

Windows size:

The chat window is not responsive, has a fixed minimal size and resizing it lower than that breaks it.

Minimum size: https://s6.postimg.org/4xwjt7dip/junk1.png
If I try to make it lower: http://s6.postimg.org/jii81rxv5/junk2.png

The minimum size seems to be 1100x840 for me, which is HUGE.

Email spam: I received 5 emails "New Conversation at EpicNPC" for this one chat. It seems that every message causes an email.

 

[EpicNPC]

Seems our adjustments helped, but the server load is still a bit too high. It's been disabled again as we make another change. We'll resolve the email issue also.

 

[Cecile28]

[removed]

 

[Akane]

Banned - failed to resolve dispute - https://www.epicnpc.com/threads/1094227-Final-Fantasy-11-account-scammed-by-epicnpc-super-moderator-Akane/page2

Stoked to see this feature make a comeback. Many of us don't use outside messaging, so this will make communication quicker.

 

[EpicNPC]

The new version is working better, but not perfect as it's causing a significant increase in server load also.

We have updated the setting so only members who have verified a phone number can use the chat. Phone verification is required to create a thread and to give feedback, so it is also now required to use the chat.

We'll see how it goes over the next few hours, but most likely we'll have to make a few more changers or adjustments to really get this running smoothly.

 

[ARMIK]

I cant see chat for some reason.

 

[EpicNPC]

What happens when you click the "start chat" button under someone's profile?

The chat uses websockets, which is only supported by newer browsers. If your browser version is old, it might not work.

 

[ARMIK]

My bad, was looing at a different spot. I remember the old one was at the bottom of the page, but the new chat opens a new window (which I personally dont like). But yeah, its working. Thanks.

 

[Hellish v.2]

This is a great alternative to hitting reload every few seconds waiting on a private message to populate. Thanks for the improvement. Mine was showing green when online, are they all just dim now?

 

[EpicNPC]

When someone is online it will be blue and say "Start chat"
When someone is offline it will be gray and say "Send Message"

 

[Hellish v.2]

Ya, I just realized it changed. That is awesome. I've seen the icon change a few times, I like how it looks now and how that functions with the send msg or start chat. This is a massive positive

 

[The Integrity]

The new chat icon is much better, but I still think it should be moved somewhere else, like below the feedback score.

Also, there's a bug with posts that use profile highlighting:

 

[EpicNPC]

We'll have the image fixed soon. As for moving it, I prefer it below the username. Everyone looks at the username, so they can quickly see we have a chat. Not everyone scans through all the info in the sidebar. Plus it's an on/offline indicator, so it should be at the top imo.

 

[Hellish v.2]

I tried opening a chat and communicating with Austin powers, the messages went to private message and they said there was a connection error.

 

[EpicNPC]

We're aware of the issue and are investigating. We should have it fixed within 24 hrs.

 

[Hellish v.2]

I thought it was something on my end. Thanks. Tried reading around to see if someone posted on it.

 

[EpicNPC]

We identified the problem.

A member must have the "Remember Me" checkbox marked when they initial log into their account. The chat requires the user to remain logged in, so without the cookie the chat closes the connection and you get the "connection error" message.

We updated the error message to provide information to the user so they can fix it.

Just log out, log back and and click the "remember me" checkbox.

 

[Hellish v.2]

Thanks Epic