MultiChat Server V1.06
MultiChat Client V1.03
MultiChat is the culmination of over 10 years of experimenting and idea testing. It is a chat system based upon two previous chats. These chats were the predecesors of modern IRC and other line based chats.. They were Diversi-Dial (C) and (TM) Diversified Software Research written by Bill Basham in the early 80's for the Apple // series of computers, and Synergy Teleconferencing System (STS) (C) and (TM) Lightspeed Electronics designed by Fred Maywald for the IBM-PC series of machines in the early 90's. Today very few of either of these systems survive due to the internet's widespread destruction of the private local chat system and BBS type systems. This program is designed to allow someone with a static IP and 24/7 internet connection to run their own small private system. It is capable of up to 31 simultaneous connections. It has built in user accounting, messaging and email capabilities as well as chatting. These systems are capable of being linked to one another. They may either be linked to any Diversi-Dial compliant system or to other MultiChat systems.
Now, some of you may be wondering why anyone would >want< to operate and/or use a private chat system in this global age. Well, simply put, back in the 80's and early 90's there were many such systems, each with it's own flavor and staff. Everyone on these systems knew each other and you could expect to see the same people fairly frequently, so you got to make real friends instead of just aquaintances. The goal of this software is to bring back that "familial" feel for chatting. In the "Golden Age of Computer Chat" which was the late 80's and early 90's these systems were actually dialup systems, which meant a majority of the membership was within driving distance of each other, so there were many get togethers amongst members. These internet chats could be used similarly by limiting membership to the area the operator is in, or offering events for that area to attract members in that area. The possibilities are limitless.
The other advantage over IRC is the security. Each user is given a 3 digit ID (000 through 999) and they may select a PASSWORD of their own choosing. Nobody without this password can login on their user account, making it possible to identify who someone is more easily and therefore eliminating spoofs leading to channel takeovers. If you would like to try out this form of chat, download the server and/or client below.