XML Chat Server/Macromedia Flash Client

While working at the Ministry of Education, we catered for a lot of educational sanctions, which meant we did a lot of projects for schools. The request was for a online chat system where a classroom can get together and chat with a special guest.

The main problem was that schools were sometimes behind firewalls and/or proxys. This meant we couldn't use an IRC backend, nor pretty much ANY chat system available. Which sparked about 3 weeks development of this chat system. It has two systems, Socket and Poll. Socket is if the client can get a direct connection to the chat server, which generally meant they were not behind a proxy. Poll means they are inhibited somehow usually by strict firewall rules and/or a proxy server that only allows HTTP connections.

The socket system is a direct connection which allows for instant response to any new chat messages or allowing you to see instant motion to someone that is moving around in the room. The polling is a timed poll every 500ms (half a second) which meant they weren't 'up-to-date' as such, but they could at least keep in conversation.

We added the ability for character selection and movement in the room above the conversation window to add another perspective to this whole environment. Let's just say, it went down a treat!

Features

• Ability to bypass proxies/firewall problems.
• Sturdy back-end and an eye-pleasing client
• Added environment of movement of characters around a "virtual room"

Screenshots