Objirc Chat Help
Refer http://objexcel.com for the latest updates.
Frequently Asked Questions
After Using the Windows Installer
If you are running Objirc Chat on Windows and have used the setup program, then simply
click on the Objirc icon in the Start Button|Program menu. This application first
attempts to start the Sun Java Virtual Machine. If you have not installed this VM it
attempts to start the Microsoft Java Virtual Machine. The launcher application
attempts to add the swingall.jar library to the classpath, searching in the Objirc Chat
install directory and the %SUN_VM_HOME%\lib directory.
Starting Objirc Chat from the Command
Line
If you have not run the setup program (e.g. if you are using Unix or a Mac) you can start
Objirc Chat as follows:
with the Microsoft VM: jview /cp:p "%OBJIRC_INSTALL_DIR%\objirc.jar" /cp:p "%OBJIRC_INSTALL_DIR%\swingall.jar" /d:objirc.home=%OBJIRC_INSTALL_DIR% Objirc
with the Sun VM: jre -cp "%OBJIRC_INSTALL_DIR%\objirc.jar" -cp "%OBJIRC_INSTALL_DIR%\swingall.jar" -Dobjirc.home="%OBJIRC_INSTALL_DIR%" Objirc
The Sun VM is preferred since the Microsoft VM displays icons incorrectly with 256 bit and lower color and does not permit the same file chooser the Sun VM allows.
Note: replace %OBJIRC_INSTALL_DIR% with the name of the directory the objirc.jar file is in.
Other Platforms
If you have neither the Sun nor the Microsoft VM, follow the VM's instructions to make
sure objirc.jar and swingall.jar are in the classpath and a variable called objirc.home is
set to directory you want to put your Objirc Chat properties file (defaults to your 'user'
directory, not the objirc.jar directory).
If the instructions for your VM are not listed here, please get syntax for your VM
(usually by it with one of the following options:/? /h -h). Send the syntax to support@objexcel.com
and we will add the instructions to this page.
IRC|Join
Objirc Chat displays the Connect to IRC Server dialog. The user selects a Network. Objirc
Chat displays a server for that network and a port number.
The user selects OK and Objirc Chat logs them onto that server.
If the user is already logged on Objirc Chat prompts to disconnect.
To enter a new network, type the network name in the combo box and enter a server and port (usually 6667), and press OK. Objirc Chat adds those details to its standard list and connects to the new server.
To delete a network, select a network name and press delete.
IRC|Rejoin
Select this option and Objirc Chat connects to the server it was last
connected to (if it is not connected already).
IRC|Leave
Select this option and Objirc Chat disconnects from the server.
View|Rooms
Select this option and Objirc Chat selects the Rooms Window.
View|File Transfers
Select this option and Objirc Chat selects the File Transfers Window.
View|Options
Select this option and Objirc Chat displays the Options Dialog.
You can enter your nickname here, a short message that Objirc Chat will send to anyone who asks for it, defaults for whether to automatically accept chats and files from other IRC users. You may also enter the default directory for file downloads.
You will also need to enter the full path to your browser here. Use Start Menu|Find|Find Files or Folders to locate your browser.
View|Look and Feel Options
To change the look and feel of Objirc Chat, select one of the installed look
and feels.
Window|Close
This option closes the current window. If the window is a room, Objirc Chat
sends a part. The Status Window cannot be closed. If the window is a Direct Chat (DCC)
window, Objirc Chat disconnects from that person.
Message History
Displays IRC Server messages and Objirc Chat warnings
Command Prompt
You can send commands to the IRC Server from any of the command prompts.
For example:
/PRIVMSG <nickname> <text to be sent> - Sends a message to a user without
opening a special window for them.
/NICK <nickname> sets your nickname.
/OPER <nickname> <password> - gives you operator privileges (if you are one).
/JOIN #<room> - enter a room.
/KICK #<room> <nickname> [<comment>] - Forcibly removes a user from a
room. Only a channel operator may kick another user out of a room.
/ISON <nickname> - Asks the server whether the nickname is on.
Room Window
Message History
Displays all the messages sent to the room since joining it.
Command Prompt
Sends messages to the room.
Sends actions to the room (by prefixing action with /me).
Press the up arrow to retrieve your command history.
Comings and Goings
Displays who leaves or joins the room.
User List
Displays the number of people in the room.
Shows the name, operator status, time the nick joined the room, the number of times they have spoken in the room and when they last spoke.
Sort each column by clicking on the column header.
Chat with a room member by selecting the Chat context menu option for that room member.
Chat with a room member using the DCC protocol by selecting the Direct Chat context menu option for that room member. Conversations that take place over DCC do not go through an IRC server so are more secure and faster than a plain chat session.
Get info on a room member by selecting the Get Info context menu option for that room member.
Sends a file to a room member by selecting the Send File context menu option for that room member. Objirc Chat then prompts the user with a File Chooser. The user selects one or more files and presses the Send button. Objirc Chat offers the file to the room member (using the CTCP DCC extensions).
Message History
Displays all the conversation between the user and their friend.
Command Prompt
Sends messages to the room.
Sends actions to the room (by prefixing the action with /me).
Get info, send a file or open a Direct Chat with a friend by using the context menu accessible from the Speech bubble.
File Table
Shows details of files being transferred. The columns include the other party, direction
(incoming or outgoing), the file name, % file progress, Kb received/sent, status (not
accepted, connected, finished), message (any problems).
Sort each column by clicking on it.
Get details of the row by clicking on it. The details display in the File Detail area.
Begin a file download by selecting the Save File context menu item associated with a row.
Begin a file download saving it to a different name by selecting the Save File As... context menu item associated with a row.
Cancel a row by selecting the Remove context menu item associated with a row.
Offer a file to a friend by selecting the Send File... context menu item associated with a row. Objirc Chat displays a file chooser. The user selects a file and presses the Send button. Objirc Chat offers the file to the friend using CTCP.
File Detail Area
The File Detail Area presents the same information as the File Table.
The buttons perform the same function as the File Table context menu.
Rooms Table
The table lists the room name, the number of people in the room and the room topic.
Sorts each column by clicking on it.
Join a room by double clicking it or selecting the Join Room context menu item associated with a row.
Input Panel
This panel lets you load a list of active rooms from the IRC server. Since
a server may have thousands of rooms, it is quicker to load them if you enter part of the
name you are searching for (like fun, or newbie) and the minimum or maximum number of
people you would like in the room. When you press the load button, the IRC server
will send a list of rooms (this may take a minute or two). Testing has shown
some servers ignore one or more of the filter fields (Dalnet ignores the minimum and
maximum number, others ignore the room name but take note of the minimum and maximum).
To filter a list that is already loaded, enter text
in the Room text field to match the room name or topic and a minimum and maximum cutoff
for the number of room occupants. All values are optional. Press the Filter button. Objirc
Chat displays the only the rooms which match the specified filter.
The list you load is kept for the next time you log on. While some rooms may still
be active, others may be closed. If you cannot join a room on a saved list, refresh
it by clicking on the Load button.
Release 2.1 (bug fixes only)
Improved the file chooser used on Java VM's that don't support the Swing file chooser.
Fixed a problem with message boxes 'hanging' the application.
Removed an unnecessary warning when some versions of the Microsoft Internet Explorer browser where closed.
Fixed a problem where the Filter button in the Rooms tab was not enabled when it should be.
Worked around a couple of problems with the IRC|Join command when you were already connected.
Release 2
Added a user info panel. This panel provides about as
much information as we can get out of the IRC network.
Added a help menu to call up this file.
Added an field on the Options Dialog to enter your preferred browser.
Added client side flood protection. On IRC a server can disconnect you if you send too many messages (basically the server allows you to send one message every two seconds). Objirc Chat now automatically prevents you reaching that limit. Note: some rooms have bots or operators who may still 'kick' you out if they think you are being too noisy. There is not much we can do about that though.
Made menu commands and buttons disabled when they are not applicable. Added 'tool tips' to the buttons to tell you why they are disabled.
Added an Exit command to the IRC menu.
Made the room list load in a separate when reading it off disk. Before, loading the saved rooms froze Objirc Chat for a few seconds..
Designed a splash screen and options sidebar (using Adobe Photoshop 5).
Added a Direct Chat and Send File context menu command to the speech bubble on the chat windows.
Added some code to close IRC rooms when you re-connect to a server.
Made the Rooms Panel Load button work with the Internet Relay Chat network (was working only with the Dalnet network).
Made Objirc Chat show the Options Dialog the first time it is run so you can change your nickname before connecting.
Made Objirc Chat show the Rooms Panel each time it loads. Hopefully this will make it easier to get started on IRC.
Enabled Direct Chats (aka DCC chats) with CTCP. Huh? This means you can use commands like "/me says hi" which will show up on the other side as "Yournick says hi".
Fixed a bug where the room tabs did not display when you joined a room.
Added a registration dialog for you to enter the lock key emailed to you after you register Objirc Chat.
Added an ad banner. We had to have some mechanism to encourage people to register Objirc Chat. Rather than crippling the application, we've added an ad banner which you can turn off after registering.
Release 1
The original trial release.
Ordering Information
For technical support or comments about this program, contact us at: support@objexcel.com.
For your convenience we have contracted another company, NorthStar Solutions, to process any orders you may wish to place with your Visa, MasterCard, or Discover card. Please be sure to mention you would like to order Product # 3231 when placing your order:
INTERNET ORDERS
Visit NorthStar Solutions at
http://www.nstarsolutions.com/1010.htm
and fill out their online order form--fast, easy and secure!
PHONED ORDERS
Calls are taken 9am-7pm, CST, Monday-Friday
800 699-6395 (From the U.S. only.)
785 539-3731
Ask for Product #3231
FAXED ORDERS
Available 24 hours.
785 539-3743
E-MAILED ORDERS
CompuServe: starmail
America Online: starmail
Internet: starmail@nstarsolutions.com
MAILED ORDERS
You may register with a check or money order.
Make them payable to "NorthStar Solutions" and send them to:
1228 Westloop Pl, Suite 204
Manhattan, KS 66502
Please provide (or be prepared to provide) the following information:
* The program you are registering Product #3231.
* Your mailing address.
* Your Visa, MasterCard, or Discover # and its expiration date (if using credit card).
* Your E-Mail address (so NorthStar Solutions can send you an E-Mail confirming your order
and so Objexcel can contact you easily with any important follow-up information, upgrade
announcements, etc.).
Disclaimers
Disclaimer of Warranty. Software is provided "AS IS," without a
warranty of any kind. ALL EXPRESS OR IMPLIED REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES, INCLUDING ANY
IMPLIED WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR NON-INFRINGEMENT,
ARE HEREBY EXCLUDED.
TO THE EXTENT NOT PROHIBITED BY APPLICABLE LAW, OBJEXCEL'S AGGREGATE LIABILITY TO LICENSEE
OR TO ANY THIRD PARTY FOR CLAIMS RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT, WHETHER FOR BREACH OR IN
TORT, WILL BE LIMITED TO THE FEES PAID BY LICENSEE FOR SOFTWARE WHICH IS THE SUBJECT
MATTER OF THE CLAIMS. IN NO EVENT WILL OBJEXCEL BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, PUNITIVE,
SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGE IN CONNECTION WITH OR ARISING OUT OF THIS
AGREEMENT (INCLUDING LOSS OF BUSINESS, REVENUE, PROFITS, USE, DATA OR OTHER ECONOMIC
ADVANTAGE), HOWEVER IT ARISES, WHETHER FOR BREACH OR IN TORT, EVEN IF SUN HAS BEEN
PREVIOUSLY ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE. LIABILITY FOR DAMAGES WILL BE
LIMITED AND EXCLUDED, EVEN IF ANY EXCLUSIVE REMEDY PROVIDED FOR IN THIS AGREEMENT FAILS OF
ITS ESSENTIAL PURPOSE.
Objirc Chat is not fault-tolerant and is not designed, manufactured or intended for use or
resale as on-line control equipment in hazardous environments requiring fail-safe
performance, such as in the operation of nuclear facilities, aircraft navigation or
communication systems, air traffic control, direct life support machines, or weapons
systems, in which the failure of the Software could lead directly to death, personal
injury, or severe physical or environmental damage ("High Risk Activities").