PartyChat is persistent chat-rooming for Google Talk.

Add partychat#@partych.at or partychat#@gmail.com as a contact (where '#' is some number 0-9, you can also use partychat@{partych.at, gmail.com}) on Google Talk.


To make a party chat, use /make [group_name] [optional_password]:

To join an existing party chat use /join [group_name] [optional_password]:

To leave a party chat (not that you'll ever want to), just type /leave:

Generally you never want to /leave a partychat... that way you can continue receiving messages even after you've closed the window or logged out!

FAQs

  1. So I can only be in one chat at a time? That's lame

    No! You can be in as many as 11 chats, one for each chat username. If 11 is too few for you, then let me know.

  2. I don't want any Joe Shizmoe in my chat, can my PartyChat have a password?

    That it can. When you create the chat say /make drivel password instead of just /make drivel, and your new chat will be password protected. Type /commands for a full list of PartyChat options

  3. What happens when I log off?

    You'll still be in the chat when you log back in. That's what the "persistent" means. You don't have to keep logging in and out of the chat room, you're always in it.

  4. I missed messages when I was offline! Is there anyway to read what I missed?

    PartyChat conversations, even the ones you miss, are logged to your GMail account.

  5. Can I use PartyChat with Gmail chat?

    Absolutely. PartyChat works with anything that connects to Google Talk / Jabber.

  6. Sometimes PartyChat is offline, what's up with that?

    PartyChat runs on a server in my apartment, so it's not as stable as I'd like it to be. Some friends and I are looking into finding a better arrangement for it.

  7. Isn't this just IRC implemented on top of Google Talk?

    Call it what you want. I never used IRC, but this is a frequently asked question, so I figured it belongs in the FAQ.

  8. Is the source code online somewhere?

    Yes. The code sucks, but hey, it works. You can find it at http://sourceforge.net/projects/partychat.

  9. Wow, no kidding, this source code really is bad. Mind if I rewrite it or add some new features?

    Be my guest! Fire me an email asking to be a contributer to the project and I'll happily review the changes you want to make.

  10. Doesn't every half-assed online project need a blog of some sort?

    Of course, where are my manners? We be bloggin' at http://techwalla.blogspot.com. Feel free to subscribe for updates and misc. tips.

  11. Who are you....

    My name is Akshay. I work for Google, but Techwalla and PartyChat are in no way affiliated with my employer. This whole thing is just a little side project of mine. You can reach me at techwalla(a)gmail.com