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This article will explain how to add a shoutbox to your website.  A shoutbox is like a chat system that visitors can leave messages for you and others to see.  Usually they can leave thank you notes, comments and any other ideas that they want to discuss.

Most of the shoutbox scripts are freeware which means they are free to use.  On my example I will consider using PHP Shoutbox 1.1

1. Search and download the PHP script called Shoutbox 1.1.It can also be found at this link:

http://phpform.net/shoutbox.php

2. Unzip the file.

3. Upload the entire folder to your hosting server via FTP.

4. Look through the Shoutbox folder and look for the sett.php file.

5. Right click on it and set the chmod permission to 666.

6. Chmod 644 the config.php file as well.

7. Open a web browser and open shout.php. You can do so using this format: http://yourwebsite.com/shout.php. Be sure to change yourwebsite.com to the actual URL of your site.

8. Follow the step by step installation progress.

9. Installation is complete.

10. Now put the following code to where you want shoutbox to appear on your html:

<iframe src=”shoutbox/code.php” width=200 height=300 border=1 solid></iframe>

When you open up your site, you should see the shout box there now.   A reminder: make sure your host PHP supported for this script to work.

Do you need a chat system for you “support” section? A good chatting program to help give customer support is Crafty Syntax. You can install it easily and give real time support. These systems get in handy if you have a business online or you’re offering any kind of service. Just follow the instructions stated below:

1. Log-in to your hosting server.

2. Add a MySql database to use with Crafty Syntax. You’re going to need information such as SQL server, database, username, and password.

3. Now go back to the hosting Control Panel and look for the Fantastico icon. It is a blue smiley face icon.

4. On the list of programs, look for Crafty Syntax. It should be under chat service.

5. Proceed to install it. The files needed would be automatically placed on your server.

6. Click the “Finish installation” button.

7. Open you browser and go to: http://www.yourdomain.com/livehelp/setup.php.

Note: Change www.yourdomain.com to the actual name of your site.

8. An installation screen would show up. Select the language and New Installation type on that window.

9. Define the title or the name that you’d like to call your website’s chat system.

10. Put in the URL where you’d like to access the Crafty Syntax admin page. The default settings are recommended.

11. Set the username and password for use to access the Admin page.

12. Type the admin email, which will be used for cases such as lost password.

13. Type the full path to Live Help. The default settings are recommended.

14. Type the opening message that you’d like your customers to see once they initiate a chat.

15. Select the type of database that you’d like to use. If you have setup a MySQL database in step 2, select MySQL from the list.

16. Type the server, database, username, and password that you have created in step 2.

17. Click Install.

Once you’re through with the process, you’re good to go! Just go to yourdomain.com/livehelp