If you cannot find the answers to your questions below, please contact us or send an email to sales@pendulab.com.
Purchasing ChatBlazer
Features & Customization
Technical Questions
ChatBlazer Plug-Ins
ChatBlazer & ChatBlazer AV FAQ's
Purchasing ChatBlazer Products
Why is Flash chat preferred to Java or other chat applications?
Flash is the most widely used medium for rich applications, with a global penetration rate of over 98% worldwide. The latest Flash Player installer is only 1.5MB, compared to the Java Virtual Machine, sized from 6MB and larger for the minimal version.
http://www.adobe.com/products/player_census/flashplayer/version_penetration.html
Flash is also preferred for its consistent performance across platforms like Windows, Mac and Linux. Last but not least, it has a negligible startup delay and does not show an irritating Java logo when starting up.
What types of customers are using ChatBlazer?
A variety of businesses, including universities, ERP vendors, dating websites, enterprises, chat event organizations and others are running ChatBlazer software.
What service level agreements (SLA) are in place to ensure ChatBlazer's performance?
The SLA applies automatically to every ChatBlazer purchase. Our customers will have the assurance that they are getting superior chat software coupled with a high standard of after-sales service, as our company is obliged to provide under the terms of the SLA.
What type of support is offered with ChatBlazer?
Pendulab offers a 24 by 5, Monday to Friday, phone support service to our customers to ensure issues are resolved as quickly as possible. Server license customers also have the option of enrolling in our Maintenance and Support plan. (see below)
How can I enroll in the Maintenance and Support (M&S) plan and what is included?
Server license customers have the option of enrolling in our <Maintenance and Support (M&S) plan> for an annual fee of 15% of their server license cost. This annually recurring plan offers priority support, a direct line to the developers, minor version upgrades and patches, and a 40% discount off of any future major version upgrades. Keep in mind that without the M&S plan, server licenses will not receive patches and upgrades or priority support.
What do I receive when I buy a hosted ChatBlazer plan?
When you purchase a hosted plan, you will receive a fulfillment email providing login details to our server, which will give you access to all the tools you need to implement and manage the ChatBlazer software. Once logged into our server, you will have access to the Code Generator which will provide the necessary code to simply copy and paste into your website to get started. Other management tools that are accessible include the Administrator Module, Client Configuration File, Chat Logs, and Chat Hosting User Guide.
What do I receive when I buy a ChatBlazer server license?
Server license customers will receive the software in a downloadable format (.zip or .exe), or CD, that can be installed on their own server. Documentation is included within the download and our support team is available to help with the initial installation.
I don’t have my own server but I want all the features and flexibility offered in a server license. What are my options?
Customers that wish to have full server license flexibility but without the headaches of maintaining and managing their own equipment can take advantage of our Dedicated Server Hosting plans. These plans offer fully managed services, 100GB of monthly transfer (bandwidth), licensing for a single domain, backup services, and the ability to add all available plug-ins to the package at an extra cost. Full customization services are available upon request.
How are ChatBlazer and ChatBlazer AV different?
ChatBlazer and ChatBlazer AV are both flash chat software solutions that run in a Web browser and can be embedded into existing applications and websites. Upgrade from the text-only version to ChatBlazer AV and users will have the option to implement webcam and microphone usage into their chats.
What if I want to support additional users down the road?
Upgrading is easy, simply pay the difference in plan price and setup (if applicable) from your current service to the plan you wish to move up to. Hosted accounts are upgraded on our end without any code changes for the customer while server license customers will simply have to replace a few existing files with new ones created by our support team. In either case, the process is quick and easy for the customer.
Are there any additional plug-ins available for ChatBlazer?
At ChatBlazer, we pride ourselves on making an all-inclusive system that integrates the needed features into the program without a laundry list of additional, pricey plug-ins. Hosted account users have the option of simply adding our Public IM and/or Mobile module while server license customers can add our Enterprise Application Integration (EAI), Public IM, and/or Mobile modules. All other features are inclusive.
What should I do if I want a ChatBlazer server license but my server does not meet the minimum requirements?
If your server does not meet our minimum server requirements we offer a Dedicated Server Hosting plan for a low monthly cost. We provide the server and the managed hosting services so there's no software or hardware for you to manage. At this time, this plan is only available for the ChatBlazer text only version.
Can I embed ChatBlazer into my web page?
Yes, you can embed ChatBlazer and ChatBlazer AV into your web page. In fact, you can create several different chat sites and embed the flash chat software on as many domains as you like. Each license is for a single domain but additional domain/site licenses can be purchased. Contact Sales for more information.
Can ChatBlazer operate behind a firewall?
Yes, ChatBlazer allows the chat client to communicate with the chat server if the clients are behind any firewalls.
Can I run the ChatBlazer Server as a Windows NT or Windows 2000 service?
Yes, you can transform the ChatBlazer server process to a Windows NT or Windows 2000 service with the click of a button. The Windows NT or 2000 service-enabler application is available out of the box for ChatBlazer customers
What is the software's CPU resource utilization rate?
ChatBlazer's superior server architecture uses an average of three percent of the CPU’s resources. Exact figures depend on the operating system, current system processes, and machine configurations but the ChatBlazer client typically runs comfortably at 0 to 5% CPU utilization without heavy user interface resizing.
Can ChatBlazer program run on a Windows platform?
Yes, the ChatBlazer client can run on any platform as long as Flash Player 8 or higher is installed on the browser being used. For server licenses, Java 1.5 or later is required to be installed on the server.
How easy is it to install ChatBlazer?
It's very easy to install ChatBlazer software. For Windows server, we have an auto install that provides a wizard interface to facilitate the installation. For Linux users, we provide the files in a zip file. Customers just need to unzip the file to a directory and do a command line startup to get your entire chat application started. Customers can also request a free installation of your chat software.
My business runs on a virtual server account. Can I still use ChatBlazer?
Yes, as long as you have a telnet or SSH access to your server. If you are not sure, please consult your hosting provider's support personnel.
How many people can chat in a room?
Room limits are set by the plan or license’s concurrent user limit or settings provided in the Administrative Console. For unlimited server licenses, the exact number of concurrent connections depends on several factors, such as the operating system, Java machine, third-party software, network bandwidth, Chat architecture, and management of the server. Our internal load testing has shown that 1,000 concurrent users can be supported comfortably by a Pentium III 733 MHz machine.
Can I set up different chat rooms for multiple Websites with different domain names?
Yes, ChatBlazer allows you to set up unique room lists on one or more websites/domain names with a single server license. Each license is for a single domain but additional domain/site licenses can be purchased. This saves you the cost of having to purchase multiple chat servers and/or licenses. Contact Sales for more information.
Can I ban my chat users by their IP address?
Yes, ChatBlazer allows you to restrict users based on their IP address.
I would like to have direct access to the chat room without users having to re-enter their user name and room selection again. Is that possible?
Yes, ChatBlazer includes a direct access feature that lets you set the username and room name directly so that users can access chat without having to type their username again.
Can you verify that ChatBlazer will work on port 80?
Yes, it can be configured to work on port 80.
Will an Unlimited text and AV server license handle the same amount of concurrent users on a server?
The server load and bandwidth usage is heavier for AV than text, since the machine runs both the ChatBlazer server program and a compatible AV streaming server (e.g. Adobe FMS, Red 5, Wowza). To improve load handling, we recommend running the AV streaming server on a separate machine.
I want to support 5000 text users on my website but use a load balancer between two servers for stability. What type and how many server licenses would I need?
Currently, ChatBlazer does not provide a clustered mode of operation. Even though your website is load balanced, chat users will still be connected to a single ChatBlazer server, so you will require an unlimited user server license.
Is any additional software need to run ChatBlazer AV?
Yes, if you have a server license then Chatblazer AV needs Flash Media Server or Red5 to run the AV streams. If you are on a hosted account, then nothing is need as the software is run completely off of our equipment.
Features & Customization
What are the basic features included in ChatBlazer?
ChatBlazer can be used for a multitude of applications so it is important to have multiple features included in the software from the start. A few key features include:
- Multiple, floating chat windows for ease of use
- Easy Share File Library
- Moderated chat
- Secure, encrypted chat
- Customizable interface
- Expanded user features
- Advanced administration and management
See Features page for more detail.
How customizable are the chat rooms?
You can customize any number of chat room elements for hosted plans and server licenses, including:
- Enable/Disable virtually any button on the chat client
- Add/Remove emoticons, avatars, audio files
- Add/Remove chat room wallpaper and skins
- Administer/Manage room and user setup to your specifications
Server license users will have full access to all skin and language files for ChatBlazer, whereas hosting accounts are limited in those areas. Contact Sales or Support for more detail.
How many chat rooms can I create?
Outside of our entry level hosting plan which limits the customer to 1 room, all other plans allow an unlimited number of rooms to be created.
How many users are allowed in the chat or chat rooms?
The total number of concurrent users in the chat is set by the <plan you purchase>. Once the limit is reached, additional users will not be allowed to login. However, each room can be setup to restrict a specific number, or type, of users for complete administrative control.
Can rooms be set up privately for specific users or groups?
Yes, access to rooms can be assigned to user groups and be granularly broken down by user-specific room assignments. Rooms can also be restricted in a few different ways including password entry, private (invisible) listing, user type, or even using the room scheduler.
Can users be assigned roles for specific chat rooms?
Yes, users can be assigned roles that apply to the entire chat or specific chat rooms.
If I have ChatBlazer AV, can I customize the AV settings?
The AV component can be fully customized to throttle the image and sound quality to be streamed, from the image size, picture quality, frame rate, to the audio quality. Each room can also have its own AV permission settings.
Can I use ChatBlazer for customer support?
Yes, you can create an intuitive interface that can be used by your customers. Your customer support representatives will make use of the administrator module to selectively chat with multiple customers, each in their own chat window.
ChatBlazer Plug-In Questions
If I buy multiple website licenses, do I have to buy plug-ins for each site?
No. A plug-in purchase covers any number of website license purchases, so if you buy three website licenses with the Public IM plug-in you will just need to purchase one Public IM plug-in license.
Can I use a relational database management system, such as MS SQL Server, Oracle, or MySQL to store user profiles and chat logs?
Yes, using the Enterprise Application Integration (EAI) plug-in, you can query and update data for your members to your existing database. You can also choose to store chat logs into the database.
If I purchase the Public IM Plug-in, why am I automatically signed up for a yearly support plan?
In order to keep your Public IM networks up-to-date and secure, we must continually maintain and update them. You also receive other benefits from the support plan such as minor product upgrades and huge discounts to future versions of the software you purchase. If you get a ChatBlazer or ChatBlazer AV server license with the Public IM plug-in, you will be signed up for the Maintenance & Support plan automatically at check out and for the ChatBlazer dedicated server license, you will be signed up for the Annual Service Plan instead.
Are plug-ins offered for the ChatBlazer hosted solutions?
Yes, the public IM and Mobile plug-in are offered for hosted plans at an extra cost. Contact Sales for more information.
