Chatbox - Version 0.99.57

Release Date: 8/26/2004 Files updated:       chatbox.exe (888,832 bytes)       smileys.dat (205,668 bytes) Bugs fixed:   -Access through system tray won't stop audio or blinking icon       Version 0.99.55 introduced a menu that would pop up if the user right-clicked the system tray icon, but this was never tied in to the audio and blinking icon notifiers. They should now stop if you access this menu.   -Program won't reconnect on disconnect       Easily the most annoying and persistent bug. I may have it fixed at this point. Now if you are disconnected from a server or if you shut your server down, you should be able to reconnect either as a server or a client without having to close and reopen Chatbox.   -Modal/non-modal windows       In programming terms, a modal window is one that sits on top of all other windows, and you can't access anything behind it until you deal with that window. Unfortunately, VB crashes if you attempt to display a non-modal window when a modal one is currently up. Or maybe it's vice-versa, I can't remember. In any event, I've changed all windows to be non-modal once you're connected, so this shouldn't cause any further crashes.   -Smiley interpreter fixed!       Second place in the "Most Annoying Persistent Bug" goes to the smiley interpreter function. About 99% of the time it correctly identifies the text in a message that should be turned into a smiley (i.e.- ":)" = ) and will put the proper image there. However, there are occaisions when it would either put the wrong image for some reason, or would put a smiley picture in a place where one should not go.   -New private messages wouldn't set off the notifier       A bug I just learned about a few days before this release was that if the user didn't have the option on to display new private chats (Options -> Settings -> Display tab -> "Display new private chats?" checkbox), it would not kick off the audio or blinking icon notifiers. The new private chat would still correctly be added under the "Private" menu list. In addition, a checkmark is now added next to that menu item to indicate that new messages have been received.   -Color settings not applied to private messages       If you changed the color settings for your own font color, it was not applied correctly to open private messages. New private messages would display the colors appropriately. This was a relatively easy fix. If only they could all be this simple. New features:   -Scripting is back!       I finally got the scripting back up and running. For info on how it all works, check out the primer here. Along with the returning scripting function we also have...   -Scripting editor and validator       Go to Options -> Settings -> Misc tab, and click the Edit button in the Scripting section to open the editor and validator. It will read in the scripting file, allow you to edit the settings, and validate it at any time. Better error-handling will detect problems like incorrect declarations and even potential infinite loops.   -New Yahoo! smileys       Yahoo has recently come out with a new version of their instant messenger, and along with it came updated smileys. Some of the old ones became animated, and new ones were introduced. I've incorporated them into Chatbox.   -Server connection logging       If you opt to be the chat server, a log file will detail all connection attempts as well as disconnects with information like IP address, reasons for disconnect, and a date and timestamp on each event.   -Spacers in the menus       When you minimize a chat room, private message, or ongoing game, it disappears from view and is placed under the appropriate menu on the main form. I've added spacers between menu items like "Join Chat room..." and the rooms the user is currently in. Not much functional use, it's more of an aesthetic improvement.   -Nickname aliases       Some people don't like to keep track of who is currently using which nickname. Now you can enter any name you wish as an alias for that user. Right-click the user's name in the chat room user list and select "Alias...". In the text box that appears, enter or edit the alias for that user and press Enter when you're done. The user list will now show the user's nickname along with the alias you specified. All messages pertaining to that user will display their name like that, including getting opped, deopped, private messages, emotes, etc. There are still parts of Chatbox that do not take advantage of this new feature, but they will be updated gradually as this new function is tested.       In addition, the alias settings are not saved when you exit Chatbox. When this feature has been tested and all adjustments made, I'll find a way to save those settings.