[VB6] - Multi-User Chat Example (Winsock)

Kick and ban would be good.

Wait a sec, if people who join my server can see my router IP and my comp IP would that mean they can hack me???

If you use internet explorer or the windows firewall, there's a big chance people can :D

Just kidding.
But I personally have more faith in a non-M$ firewall.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Justin M

Wait a sec, if people who join my server can see my router IP and my comp IP would that mean they can hack me???

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If you're so worried about getting hacked from someone knowing your IP, then may want to unplug your modem and not use the internet. ;)

lol Thanks but I would like to have a sound play when someone sends a message, where would I put the play sound code?

And when some enters the chat?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Justin M

lol Thanks but I would like to have a sound play when someone sends a message, where would I put the play sound code?

And when some enters the chat?

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Look in the DataArrival() event to find the name of the sub that is responsible for handling when a message is received and when someone enters/leaves.

Then go to the code for that sub and put your "play sound" code there.

Sorry it's taking so long for the update. I've been real busy doing jobs on www.rentacoder.com and haven't had any free time.

lol thanks, its ok. Out of curosity, is there alot of money to be made on rentacoder?

Only if you're an advanced coder and are experienced in customer programming.

There are a lot of smaller projects < $200. There are also those that are $500-$2,000+. There's a wide variety of different types...for every possible programming language you can imagine. Not that many for VB6. Lots for PHP/MySQL, HTML, CSS, etc.

I've been doing a lot of the smaller ones, myself. Hopefully I can land a big one soon. :D

Umm this is usually to ask, but could anyone download the free antivirus prog I made and see if they can log on.

welll maybe the code here can log on my chat server, cause alot of peeps say they can't

the IP of the server is 142.167.72.254

I was wondering, is there a way to change the color of the text you type with and when you send a message the text will look the same in the conversation box?

I don't know how this app is built, but if there is a regular textbox, you need to replace it with a RichTextBox control.
With that, sending the .rtfText property (instead of the .Text), you might be able to send multiple colors, but I'm not sure though.

TheBigB is correct. If I remember my own project correctly, I used a standard TextBox to keep things as simple as possible.

My original plan was to make this and hope that people were able to learn from it and add in their own features as a learning experience, that's why I kept it so basic.

But I've gotten a lot of requests to modify it and so that is what I am almost done doing now (except I started a new one from scratch)...

Server setup wizard
Custom room creator with passworded rooms
User-created rooms
Rich text (using the RichTextBox control)
File transfers/folder sharing
Admin features for server (kick, ban, warn, global message)
Webcameras
Whiteboard

Finally done with all of my RentACoder projects so I have time to work on it now...stay tuned. :p

i am ready to see the updated version of this.

Yea lets get the super version going!!
lol

Id like to see how you do the webcams. Thats one thing I havn't been able to figure out ;]

i'm having trouble getting bold italics and underline to show in the chat window. also my users are wanting to have special colors for their names, any help.

Every time I get back to work on this, something else keeps coming up. Just want to let you know that I have been working on it and there really isn't much left to do and I am finishing it up.

Edit: minidesigner, choosing colors for names is a good idea actually, never thought of that. I will put that in there also.

I would just like to thank DigiRev... I downloaded your source and have started fine tuning it for what I am looking for personally. I just want to thank you for being willing to do so much work for no monetary reward. A lot of people wouldn't be willing to do such work. I like the classic version and will continue coding ontop of it.

Question though (for anyone) is it going to be OK to continue programming in Visual Basic 6.0 or is Visual Basic 2008 Express the way to go for free lance programming for personal use?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Genovah

I would just like to thank DigiRev... I downloaded your source and have started fine tuning it for what I am looking for personally. I just want to thank you for being willing to do so much work for no monetary reward. A lot of people wouldn't be willing to do such work. I like the classic version and will continue coding ontop of it.

Question though (for anyone) is it going to be OK to continue programming in Visual Basic 6.0 or is Visual Basic 2008 Express the way to go for free lance programming for personal use?

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http://www.vbforums.com/attachment.p...id=47243&stc=1

We like to have people create their own threads for questions like this but in any case, while VB6 will be around for several years at least, (sadly) you should probably switch over to 2008.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Genovah

I would just like to thank DigiRev... I downloaded your source and have started fine tuning it for what I am looking for personally. I just want to thank you for being willing to do so much work for no monetary reward. A lot of people wouldn't be willing to do such work. I like the classic version and will continue coding ontop of it.

Question though (for anyone) is it going to be OK to continue programming in Visual Basic 6.0 or is Visual Basic 2008 Express the way to go for free lance programming for personal use?

---

Thanks Genovah. You're doing exactly what I was hoping most people would do. Use this as a sort of framework to build from and/or learn how to use the Winsock control. That's why I kept it so stripped-down and simple as possible.

As MartinLiss said, you may want to switch over to 2008/.NET. Personally, I've been learning C++ (which is much different) because I don't like .NET at all.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by DigiRev

Thanks Genovah. You're doing exactly what I was hoping most people would do. Use this as a sort of framework to build from and/or learn how to use the Winsock control. That's why I kept it so stripped-down and simple as possible.

As MartinLiss said, you may want to switch over to 2008/.NET. Personally, I've been learning C++ (which is much different) because I don't like .NET at all.

---

I haven't done VB6 since I was in highschool I have mostly been working on Flash projects and things of the sort but after finding this site I have found interest in program coding. I appreciate and lookforward to more projects from you and thank you both for your opinnions on which programs are best. I know very little about C++ but I like the interface of VB so maybe I'll switch over to 2008 in the near future. DigiRev is there a way to contact you personally? I would like to show you my re-vamp of your basic program... I only worked on it for a couple hours so not a whole lot has changed but perhaps with all the requests you have recieved you will have some ideas for me (not code trying to learn that on my own ;))


Thanks Martin for the welcome! Sorry for not starting a new thread for it.

Sorry for the double post... Here is the compiled version with the changes I have made... If you would like the source just let me know and I can post that to.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Genovah

Sorry for the double post... Here is the compiled version with the changes I have made... If you would like the source just let me know and I can post that to.

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Nice, looks cool. :cool: :thumb:

Thanks can't wait to see yours :)

Genovah yours looks cool.

Thanks but the credit goes to DigiRev without his source I would be dazed it has tought me a lot about Winsock and now I will be incorperating it in a lot of new projects

I recieved a PM requesting that I post the source code to the client so here it is!

Note: The source has not changed a WHOLE lot since his there is just a few added features I am still working on the rest and not ready to release it yet.

*edit* Sorry typed up the previous message on a work computer then went to upload it and realized that the source was on my home computer (Doh!) So I logged on remotely and here it is

And my newest executeable if anyone is interested... Client only (haven't had enough time to work on the server portion yet still pretty basic.)

Note: Upon closing the program it will write .txt files to "C:\Program Files\ChatterBox\" to save the settings that you have chosen... just so you are aware..

I'm looking for feedback and ideas to add to the project I already have a list wrote down of some of them. Still a work in progress (Digi is so much better at this then I, haha)

Take care all.

I made some changes, this has more options as well as a great logging system


Features:

Code:

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Client:
Leave Room
Reconnect
Style Changes
Features - Run, Kill, Calc, Temp

Server:
Announce
Disconnect Clients
Style Changes
Save Chat
View Logs
Clear Logs
Features - Run, Kill, Calc, Temp

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When you close the server, the logs are updated, so you don't need to press Save Chat everytime

If anyone wants the source code just look below.

Do you know if there is a way to ban or disconnect troublesome members?

That would be just a matter of finding out which socket the member uses and then sck.Close.
For banning you'd get the .RemoteIP from the user before closing and put that in a 'deny connection' list in the Connection_Request event.

Exactly what TheBigB said. I'll add it into the server real quick since this update is taking a little longer than I thought.

Will post back soon.

Ok, this should work. I wrote it really quickly but it should not let them into the room once they are banned.

On the server, right-click the user list to ban a user.

The client also wasn't closing properly so that should be fixed also.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by DigiRev

Ok, this should work. I wrote it really quickly but it should not let them into the room once they are banned.

On the server, right-click the user list to ban a user.

The client also wasn't closing properly so that should be fixed also.

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yeah i also fixed the client problem

and i just added a block user function that works both client and server sided, it ignores the user, not disconnects him.

so that will be up soon

Here it is

Code:

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Client:
Leave Room
Reconnect
Style Changes
*Block User*

Server:
Announce
Disconnect Clients
Style Changes
Save Chat
View Logs
Clear Logs
*Block User*
*Lock User*

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I got rid of those other, unnecessary features.

you can only block 1 person at a time, same with locking
just right-click a user in the listbox

Blocking: you dont hear the selected person
Locking: nobody hears the selected person

I'll add anything else you guys want me to

you both have great working models. digirev i can't wait to see your final version.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by minidesigner

you both have great working models. digirev i can't wait to see your final version.

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Almost done. :D

Will be a huge improvement over the first one.

are you going to put my chat logging system in you new release?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Philly0494

are you going to put my chat logging system in you new release?

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Yeah I liked your logging feature so I'll put that in there also. :)

If anyone has any more ideas, now is the time to let me know. It's getting pretty close to being done.

Code:

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Client:
Leave Room
Reconnect
Style Changes
Block User
*Block User Management (Max 3)*

Server:
Announce
Disconnect Clients
Style Changes
Save Chat
View Logs
Clear Logs
Block User
Lock User
*Block User Management (Max 3)*
*Lock User Management (Max 3)*

---

you guys can take this, but im not gonna bother making any more since digirev will do a much better job when he finishes his

Here is my latest I haven't finished everything (no where near going to add a few more features) There are some options in the context menu that are actually not in use yet (Ignore, Global Mute) You will notice under the console I added a 'unban' 'restart server' and 'shutdown server' feature as well as another lstbox with the user names... will finish it up tomorrow and probably work on more features.... let me know what you guys think! Can't wait to see yours digi!

Nice one Genovah. Can you add a PM feature server/client? Great effort dude!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by zynder

Nice one Genovah. Can you add a PM feature server/client? Great effort dude!

---

Thank you! I will work on private messaging once I get these other features nailed down.

Currently I am having a problem with m Global Mute feature its not saving/loading properly perhaps someone could shed some light on where I messed up? I might not be able to find it for the fact that I'm extremely tired and maybe it will be easier later but here it is:

ModChat Code:

Option Explicit
 
'Structure to store info about a user.
'Add your own stuff if you want.
Public Type CHAT_USER
    strNickname As String 'Nickname.
    strIP As String 'IP address.
    strBuffer As String 'Received data buffer from this client.
    'Add your own stuff like:
    'strRoomName As String 'For multiple rooms.
    'strTimeConnected As String 'To store what time they connected?
    'All code in the server is based off the info stored here.
End Type
 
'An array that contains all info about every user.
'A user's index in this array corresponds to the Winsock control responsible for this connection.
Public udtUsers() As CHAT_USER
 
'Max integer value, therefore, max simultaneous connections.
'(Most computers can't handle anywhere near this many).
Public Const MAX_INT As Integer = 32767
 
'One main sub that closes the server.
'Should be called before opening the server.
Public Sub CloseServer()
    'Steps:
    '------
    '1. Unload & close all Winsock controls.
    '2. Erase udtUsers() array to clear up memory.
    
    Dim intLoop As Integer
    
    With frmChat
        .sckServer(0).Close 'Close first control.
        
        If .sckServer.UBound > 0 Then
            'More than one Winsock control in the array.
            'Loop through and close/unload all of them.
            For intLoop = 1 To .sckServer.UBound
                .sckServer(intLoop).Close
                Unload .sckServer(intLoop)
            Next intLoop
        End If
    
    End With
    
    'Erase all current users from memory.
    Erase udtUsers
End Sub
 
'Finds an available Winsock control to use for an incoming connection.
'You can just copy/paste this code into your chat program if you want.
'Just change "sckServer" to the name of your Winsock control (array).
'And change MAX_INT to max simultaneous connections that you want (it is at top of this module).
Public Function NextOpenSocket() As Integer
    Dim intLoop As Integer, intFound As Integer
    
    With frmChat
        'First, see if there is only one Winsock control.
        If .sckServer.UBound = 0 Then
            'Just load #1.
            Load .sckServer(1)
            .sckServer(1).Close
            NextOpenSocket = 1
        Else
            'There is more than 1.
            'Loop through all of them to find one not being used.
            'If it is not being used, it's state will = sckClosed (no connections).
            For intLoop = 1 To .sckServer.UBound
                If .sckServer(intLoop).State = sckClosed Then
                    'Found one not being used.
                    intFound = intLoop
                    Exit For
                End If
            Next intLoop
            
            'Check if we found one.
            If intFound > 0 Then
                NextOpenSocket = intFound
            Else
                'Didn't find one.
                'Load a new one.
                'Unless we reached MAX_INT
                'which is max number of clients.
                If .sckServer.UBound + 1 < MAX_INT Then
                    'There is room for another one.
                    intFound = .sckServer.UBound + 1
                    Load .sckServer(intFound)
                    .sckServer(intFound).Close
                    NextOpenSocket = intFound
                Else
                    'Server is full!
                    Debug.Print "CONNECTION REJECTED! MAX CLIENTS (" & MAX_INT & ") REACHED!"
                End If
            
            End If
        End If
    End With
    
End Function
 
'Returns the upper bounds (UBound) of udtUsers array without an error.
Public Function UBUsers() As Long
    On Error GoTo ErrorHandler
    
    UBUsers = UBound(udtUsers)
    
    Exit Function
    
ErrorHandler:
    
End Function
 
'ignore a user.
Public Sub GlobalMuteUser(ByRef Username As String, Switch As Integer)
    Dim l As Long, u As Long
    Dim s As String, strPacket As String
    Dim r As Long
   ' On Error GoTo ErrorHandler
    If Username = "" Then Exit Sub
    s = LCase$(Username)
    u = UBUsers
    If Switch = 1 Then
        For l = 0 To u
            If LCase$(udtUsers(l).strNickname) = s Then
                GlobalMute_Add udtUsers(l).strIP
                Mute_Save udtUsers(l).strIP, 1
                r = l
                Exit For
            End If
        Next l
            AddStatusMessage frmChat.rtbChat, RGB(128, 0, 0), Username & " was muted."
    Else
        For l = 0 To u
            If LCase$(udtUsers(l).strNickname) = s Then
                GlobalMute_Add udtUsers(1).strIP
                Mute_Save udtUsers(l).strIP, 0
                r = l
                Exit For
            End If
        Next l
            AddStatusMessage frmChat.rtbChat, RGB(128, 0, 0), Username & " was un-muted."
    End If
ErrorHandler:
End Sub
 
Public Sub KickUser(ByRef Username As String)
    Dim l As Long, u As Long
    Dim s As String, strPacket As String
    Dim r As Long
    On Error GoTo ErrorHandler
    If Username = "" Then Exit Sub
    s = LCase$(Username)
    u = UBUsers
    For l = 0 To u
        If LCase$(udtUsers(l).strNickname) = s Then
            strPacket = "KIK" & Chr$(2) & udtUsers(1).strNickname & Chr$(4)
            r = l
        End If
    Next l
    
    If Len(strPacket) > 0 Then
        SendGlobalData strPacket
        frmChat.sckServer_Close CInt(r)
    AddStatusMessage frmChat.rtbChat, RGB(128, 0, 0), Username & " was kicked."
    End If
ErrorHandler:
End Sub

ModServer Code:

Option Explicit
Public strMuted() As String
Public bolRestart As Boolean
 
Public Sub Mute_Save(ByRef IPAddress As String, Switch As Integer)
    Dim intFF As Integer, l As Long, u As Long
    Dim sNextLine As String
    intFF = FreeFile
'On Error Resume Next
'Kill App.Path & "\muted.txt"
'On Error GoTo ErrorHandler
   If Switch = 1 Then
         u = Mute_Ubound
         If u > -1 Then
             Open App.Path & "\muted.txt" For Append As #intFF
                 For l = 0 To u
                     If Len(strMuted(l)) > 0 Then
                         If l < u Then
                             Print #intFF, strMuted(l)
                         Else
                             Print #intFF, strMuted(l);
                         End If
                     End If
                 Next l
             Close #intFF
         End If
         Exit Sub
    ElseIf Switch = 0 Then
        u = Mute_Ubound
        ReDim Preserve strMuted(0 To u)
        If u > -1 Then
            Open App.Path & "\muted.txt" For Input As #intFF
                Erase strMuted
                Do Until EOF(intFF)
                    Line Input #intFF, sNextLine
                    If Not sNextLine = "" Then
                        If Not sNextLine = IPAddress Then
                            strMuted(l) = sNextLine
                        Else
                            strMuted(l) = vbNullString
                        End If
                    End If
                    l = l + 1
                Loop
            Close #intFF
            Open App.Path & "\muted.txt" For Output As #intFF
                Print #intFF, vbNullString
            Close #intFF
            Open App.Path & "\muted.txt" For Append As #intFF
                 For l = 0 To u
                     If Len(strMuted(l)) > 0 Then
                         If l < u Then
                             If Not IPAddress = strMuted(l) Then Print #intFF, strMuted(l)
                         Else
                             If Not IPAddress = strMuted(l) Then Print #intFF, strMuted(l)
                         End If
                     End If
                 Next l
             Close #intFF
        End If
    End If
ErrorHandler:
    Close #intFF
    Exit Sub
End Sub
 
Public Sub Mute_Load()
    Dim intFF As Integer
    intFF = FreeFile
    
    Erase strMuted
    On Error GoTo ErrorHandler
    Open App.Path & "\muted.txt" For Input As #intFF
        If LOF(intFF) > 0 Then strMuted = Split(Input(LOF(intFF), intFF), vbCrLf)
    Close #intFF
    Exit Sub
ErrorHandler:
    Close #intFF
    Exit Sub
End Sub
 
Public Sub GlobalMute_Add(ByRef IPAddress As String)
    Dim u As Long
    u = Mute_Ubound + 1
    ReDim Preserve strMuted(0 To u) As String
    strMuted(u) = IPAddress
End Sub
 
Public Function GlobalMute_IsMuted(ByRef IPAddress As String) As Boolean
    Dim l As Long, u As Long
    u = Mute_Ubound
    If u > -1 Then
        For l = 0 To u
            If strMuted(l) = IPAddress Then
                GlobalMute_IsMuted = True
                Exit For
            End If
        Next l
    End If
End Function
 
Public Function Mute_Ubound() As Long
    On Error GoTo ErrorHandler
    Mute_Ubound = UBound(strMuted)
    Exit Function
ErrorHandler:
    Mute_Ubound = -1
    Exit Function
End Function

I am having problems in the Muted_Save portion of the code. The code is truncated so it could fit. Thanks for any help in advance!

first off explain what mute is to be used for

It prevents the user from speaking what so ever by calling upon a sub to check and see if the user has been added to the mute list the problem is in the Mute_Save sub

Below this line of code: If switch = 0 then where muted.txt is input into the string sNextLine

sNextLine = strMuted(l) should put the text into the proper string but I get a subscript error. not sure why seeing as the dimensions are set properly as far as I can tell... but as I said earlier maybe its lack of sleep... off to take a nap

*edit* Fixed... I accidently put an Erase string in by mistake

Genovah, you should really convert to a database instead of usng text files. it reduces code by a lot =)

I agree but the coding I have done with databases has all been in PHP/SQL... So my knowledge is limited seeing as I didn't do it too much... However if I were to go to a database setup wouldn't the server have to be running Microsoft SQL or another type of database? I am trying to make a server that can be run by any user with minimal to no set up required... once I scratch the public version and make my own I will definetly learn/convert it to DB format

You can use microsoft access database .mdb files and the querys are the same as if you was using mySQL for the most part so its pretty simple to pick up. If you need an example. i'll post one =)

As long as you don't mind I would be interested in seeing an example

http://www.vbforums.com/showthread.php?p=3228114 MULTI-USER WINSOCK CHAT USING ACCESS DATABASE

I once tried to build a chatting system from scratch with databases...
I gave up :D

But that's quite usually the thing that happens when I start with things from scratch, due to lack of time/patience/coffee and the overflow of laziness/practical problems/the application.

Anyways,
@psych; that interface looks so familiar, but I don't remember where from...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by psychotomus

http://www.vbforums.com/showthread.php?p=3228114 MULTI-USER WINSOCK CHAT USING ACCESS DATABASE

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After reviewing the code and looking at everything I think I am going to go with an access database will make it easier to store all the colors and everything else. Thanks psycho! it was a great idea! BTW do you have groove or another type of messanging service? I would like to add you as a friend if you don't mind.

DB not installed yet but PM feature is complete
Note: ignore is not fully functional on the client side yet

Here are a few spoiler screenshots in case you are wondering what it looks like so far...

http://www.vbforums.com/attachment.p...8&d=1211022707

http://www.vbforums.com/attachment.p...9&d=1211022711

http://www.vbforums.com/attachment.p...0&d=1211022714

http://www.vbforums.com/attachment.p...1&d=1211022717

http://www.vbforums.com/attachment.p...2&d=1211022721

I have it setup so you can create different "server configurations" with different room lists and settings and load them right from the Server menu so you don't have to set it up every time.

Wow Digi and I thought I was getting somewhere.... *bows to DigiRev*

Good job can't wait to start parsing your code! :P

Are you using a db format or standard .txt files with VB Chat?

I wanted this to be kind of like mIRC without people having to sign up so there is no db or anything.

Maybe after I release this one I'll make an IM version...

Will post more screenshots soon. File transfers are being a *****

Makes sense to me! Thats kind of what I was going for but then after implementing an admin feature I figure I would be best off going with a db instead of multiple strings identifying admins vs moderators vs regular clients

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by DigiRev

Here are a few spoiler screenshots in case you are wondering what it looks like so far...

http://www.vbforums.com/attachment.p...8&d=1211022707

http://www.vbforums.com/attachment.p...9&d=1211022711

http://www.vbforums.com/attachment.p...0&d=1211022714

http://www.vbforums.com/attachment.p...1&d=1211022717

http://www.vbforums.com/attachment.p...2&d=1211022721

I have it setup so you can create different "server configurations" with different room lists and settings and load them right from the Server menu so you don't have to set it up every time.

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Wow that is pretty cool, how did you get the rounded frames in vb 6?

PS: How did you ever get ti so people could change their username color?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Justin M

Wow that is pretty cool, how did you get the rounded frames in vb 6?

PS: How did you ever get ti so people could change their username color?

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Those are normal frames. I'm just using a manifest file for XP style. ;)

I sent the color along with the nickname when they login. And store this color in the CLIENT UDT on the server side.

When the server relays a chat message to the room, it also sends this color from that user's UDT.

Then I updated the procedure that shows a chat message to set the color of the username to this value.

Sorry, that's the best I can explain it. This thing should be done pretty soon and you can see.