Usage

There are 3 user types in the application: admin, operators and guests. Admin is the user that can run (un)installation, change global settings, manage operators and browse chatting history, but is not allowed to chat. Operators can chat with online guests and once at least a single operator logs in, chat widget won't display the contact form no more - guest login form will be displayed. Operators are also allowed to change their profile data and browse chat history. Guests are the visitors to your website that log in through the chat widget and talk with operators.

Logging in

To login to the chat always use the http://www.tristatewhywait/livechat/php/app.php?login path for operator accounts. Use your e-mail addresses as the login.

Logging out

To log out from the chat open the top right menu and click the Logout item.

Chatting

For your visitors to be able to chat you have to be logged as an operator. Otherwise, the guests will only see a contact form fallback and not the chat login form.

The default section that's displayed after logging in as an operator is the chat view. All on-line users are listed on the left here (Online users and Online operators lists). If you move your mouse cursor over a user's name, you'll see a small popup with information about that user. You can either wait for incomming messages or click on the user's name and start a conversation yourself. When new messages arrive operators are notified with sound as well as blinking envelope icons next to the tab headers. After opening user's tab you can type your messages into the input on the bottom (Write your message) and press enter to send them. You can also use emoticons by clicking their symbol on the right of the input.

Only one operator is allowed to talk with a guest at the same time. In case a second operator tries to send messages to the given guest, the system message will be displayed, informing the operator that the guest is already handled by someone else.

When talking with a guest, on top of the chat's view there's a live status of the page guest is currently visiting.

Conversations between two operators are also possible - just click operator's name on the list of online operators.

Guest chatting

Guest chatting works in exactly the same way. Additionally, while chatting, guests can access a settings menu using the wrench icon on the title bar to update settings like emoticons usage, sound notification usage, auto scrolling the chat box and auto showing of the chat.

If a guest refreshes the web page, which holds the chat widget, he is still allowed to talk using the same session and any previous messages are displayed in the chatbox.

History

History section allows both admin and operators to browse and search through the whole conversation history. Leaving all of the filtering inputs empty will result in all of the talks being listed. To show a given conversation after it's found click the item on the results list under the search form and the talk will be displayed on the right. In the talk's view you can also see its participants profile information and talk's start/end date and time.

Important: If you notice the application slowing down, you might try clearing the history of messages by clicking Clear history.