PIC - Proxy IRC Chat News
Sept 17, 2007
I got the new page up for this project. I've consolidated the Ver 1.1 and 1.2 project split back together, as they both were beta. Reassessment of project is underway for continuation of development.
Sept 1, 2007
This website is in the process of being completely revised to be compatible with a greater number of browsers and provide a better nicer looking site. The main pages are all new, and the project's pages are being updated one by one. The updated pages will need some finish work and testing, but the entire web site should be completely functional through the new pages.
August 6, 2007
I've over looked a descent sized chunk that needed done; A User system to manage known User/Nicks, mostly their whois info and modes, linked to channel user lists. It's almost done. The new chat text system is in place and seems stable. Once the new user system is in place and debugged just a little, I'll post the build. There should be some tying up of loose ends after that. Later, some added interface to change options, related to chat formatting mostly, will be the next big undertaking. Sometime I'll will be trying to squeeze in some research on usage of SSL libraries. Even though Socks4a works nice for Tor, I'm looking to find some time to implement and test, at least basic Socks5 support.
July 25, 2007
I've been using build 5 quite a bit myself. I've been finding a little time here and there to work on the next build. A slight interface change is in the works, incomplete and hidden in build 5. Several minor annoyances are already fixed, and a couple others on their way. The chat text formatting is the current task at hand. Once it's basic implementation is stable I'll post the build, and tie up the loose ends with the next build.
July 6, 2007
Build 5 posted. Pretty stable. Still has some annoying issues with the user list, and not keeping track of user/channel modes. Many fixes and improvements. Default replacements added to do common tasks. Improvements to the replacements system now allow special characters and # to specify sensitive data post (no history or echo to screen, for password). ME replacement implemented, although special formatting of ACTION posts are not yet reimplemented. This type of formatting should be implemented by next build.
June 22, 2007
I've almost got a new build ready to post, with a major overhaul of the replacements system and configuration files, but I've been short of free time lately. Hopefully I'll get it posted next week. Still a bit to go before a release, but it's getting close. After this next build some chat text formatting will be added as well as a identify and join on connect template fields for the most part.
May 30, 2007
I've posted build 4. It seems pretty stable, but I got a list of improvements and issues to resolve before calling it a ready release.
May 23, 2007
I've done some beta testing of the new chat data system and have worked most the bugs out of it and cleaned some other stuff up. I'd release the beta but I don't have time to clean up the source/documentation and post it. So, early next week I'll post this next beta build, which seems to be working quite nicely. I still have quite a list of things to do before the actual release, but it appears to be all small things. After releasing this build next week, the next release probably won't be beta.
May 22, 2007
I've redone the Channel's text handler, making it much faster and efficient at handling lots of chat text, by removing the use of TStringLists. Instead I've added a list of TChatData classes, one for each post. This way the user name and message is segregated, so the user who posted can be shown uniquely. Also the processing of the message for mIRC colors, ACTION, and other features that affect how it is displayed can be processed once, and saved. Once I get the channels updating correctly I will post the new beta build. This should be a matter of days.
May 8, 2007
Haven't had time in awhile, but I've been using the beta and making notes. Some basic client features are still needed such as user ignores, maybe some rudimentary filters, optional time stamps, uniquely font'd user names compared to chat text, a login script for authentication and auto joins. A separator character for replacements so one replacement can send multiple commands. And of course the removal of the slow high level string lists in the chat memory for proper performance.
April 12, 2007
Oops I didn't update the version string on the title bar and in reply to Version requests (still says 1.2.1.1 beta). I don't like it on the title bar but haven't gotten around to making an About box.
April 12, 2007
Posted Beta Build 2, with support for specifying the parameters to the USER login command. This should fix some registered nick issues.
April 12, 2007
It seems the static User name sent during login is causing all kinds of problems. Changing that got overlooked many times, but beta build 2 will allow you to specify arguments sent in the USER command during login. Remember you can always manually do the login NICK and USER command by making your Nick blank.
The RFC doesn't seem extremely clear on how this command is to be used. Other clients don't seem to use it anywhere near what the RFC says. Since it doesn't seem to matter what User name I send this detail got pushed asside as not really mattering.
April 11, 2007
Releasing build 1 of version 1.2 (1.2.1.1) as beta. Has a few bugs, and a more serious performance issue cause by the extra text processing. You'll notice it if you change channels/tabs to a channel/tab with lots of text in it.
March 19, 2007
My schedule has been pretty full for awhile. Releasing the new version and/or it's beta is going to be pushed back a bit. I need to redo how the Channel text is kept for performance issues, adding a little more work to the project. I'll try to get it knocked out by the end of March.
March 6, 2007
The new version is almost ready for a beta release, although I don't expect many bugs. The interface is allot cleaner. Almost all options stay hidden by a pop-out pallet. The intention was to maximize use of vertical space. I need to clean up the source code files and update their headers, finish cleaning up the interface, and throw in some other setup options. Mainly, making everything optional such as text formatting (only boldness for now), beep on message, and the such.
February 13, 2007
An overhauled, new minor version of PIC should be ready soon (Version 1.2.1.1). New features include multi line post (for those servers with lame multi line verification strings). Hidden extra controls via a popout control pallet. The packet processing code was completely redone and is much cleaner and well planned out. A Rich Edit replaced the plain text chat box, and support for Action highlighting (boldness) was added, possibly support for mIRC color encoding to come. The channel list was given a custom string grid, much nicer. Rewriting of the user list management code, and some testing is all thats left before release, so check back shortly.