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===Intro===
== MRC release information ==
{| class="wikitable"
|+MRC Client Release Status
!Version
!Status
!Released
!Date
!Channel
|-
|1.2.9a
|Stable
|Yes
|Apr 18 2019
|Phenom Productions
https://phenomprod.com
|-
|1.3.7-alpha
|Alpha
|Yes
|Sep 1 2024
|Download on The Bottomless Abyss
BBS: telnet://bbs.bottomlessabyss.net:2023


The MRC Chat platform is undergoing a major transformation. Thanks to Gryphon for the initial version.
Direct: https://bbs.bottomlessabyss.net/mods-distro/pn-mrc137-alpha.zip
|}
 
== Intro ==
The Multi Relay Chat platform is undergoing a major transformation. Thanks to Gryphon for the initial version.


This transformation will happen in multiple stages and feedback is always appreciated.
This transformation will happen in multiple stages and feedback is always appreciated.
===Developers===
If you are a developer and would like to port MRC to your platform, please follow the following process to get access to the protocol documentation.
#Create an account on the Wiki
#Send StackFault a BBS e-mail on [https://bbs.bottomlessabyss.net The Bottomless Abyss], a netmail or Internet email to: '''sysop''' (at) '''bottomlessabyss''' (dot) '''net''')
#Once your request have been approved, you will have access to the MRC development namespace here: [[MRCDoc:MRC Protocol]]
=== Supported platforms ===
Support exists for many BBS platforms currently. If you want to contribute for a platform not in this list, please reach out.
{| class="wikitable"
|+List of BBS platforms with MRC support
!Platform
!Status
!Implementer
!Maintained
|-
|Mystic
|Active
|StackFault
|Yes
|-
|CNet
|Active
|aNACHRONiST
|Yes
|-
|Ami-Express
|Active
|?
|?
|-
|Synchronet
|Active
|eChicken
|Yes
|-
|Enigma 1/2
|Active
|RiPuk
|Yes
|-
|WildCat
|Interested
|
|
|-
|CyberBBS
|Active
|Nugax
|No
|}


==Stage 1==
==Stage 1==
Many issues existed in the client portion of MRC. These issues have been resolved with the release of an updated client replacing the MPL script.
Many issues existed in the client portion of MRC. These issues have been resolved with the release of an updated client replacing the MPL script.
[[File:MRC114sf.png]]


Backward compatibility with v1.1 is maintained allowing a mix of older and newer clients to interact while a transition is worked out.
Backward compatibility with v1.1 is maintained allowing a mix of older and newer clients to interact while a transition is worked out.
Line 17: Line 96:
A new server codebase is being developed from scratch to address many of the issues identified previously while maintaining backward compatibility with the v1.1 implementation.
A new server codebase is being developed from scratch to address many of the issues identified previously while maintaining backward compatibility with the v1.1 implementation.


==Stage 3==
==Stage 3 - 2018==
Cross-platform interoperability documentation is being developped to allow the platform to extend beyond the Mystic BBS base.
Cross-platform interoperability documentation is being developed to allow the platform to extend beyond the Mystic BBS base.


This will allow other platforms to interact easily with the platform, creating a uniform chat experience.
This will allow other platforms to interact easily with the platform, creating a uniform chat experience.


If you are a developer and wish to create a client for a platform not listed below, please reach out to StackFault and ask for access to the development team.
If you are a developer and wish to create a client for a platform not listed, please reach out to '''StackFault''' and ask for access to the development team.


'''List of platforms currently interested'''
==Stage 4 - 2019==
* Mystic
Deployment of the new server have been completed on March 5th 2019.
* CNet
* WildCat
* Synchronet


==Stage 4==
The release of a new MRC package containing the Mystic UI and Mystic client was made at the same date.
Deployment of the new server is planned for late Q1 2019.


The code is currently in the testing phase and will enter a feature freeze end of February 2019
This release is now called Multi Relay Chat and shows v1.2.5.


This stage will result in the release of a new MRC package containing the Mystic UI and Mystic client.
Many new options are included in the release, including:


Many new options will also be included in the release, including:
'''New Server code includes the following improvements'''


'''New Server code includes the following improvements'''
*Multi-threaded architecture
* Multi-threaded architecture
*Message queuing
* Message queuing
*Improved validation of connections
* Improved validation of connections
*Improved keep-alive mechanisms
* Improved keep-alive mechanisms
*Faster roundtrip of messages
* Faster roundtrip of messages
*Increased connection capacity
* Increased connection capacity
*BBS information screens
* BBS information screens
*Better announcement of connecting users
* Better announcement of connecting users
*New server commands
* New server commands
*Many more smaller improvements
* Many more smaller improvements


'''New Mystic UI improvements'''
'''New Mystic UI improvements'''
* Handle auto-completion
 
* Better support for customization
*Handle auto-completion
* Many more smaller improvements
*Better support for customization
*Many more smaller improvements


'''New Mystic client improvements'''
'''New Mystic client improvements'''
* Auto-reconnect within the client
 
* Support for the new server commands
*Auto-reconnect within the client
* Improved keep-alive mechanism
*Support for the new server commands
* Support for server-side managed rooms
*Improved keep-alive mechanism
* Many more smaller improvements
*Support for server-side managed rooms
*Many more smaller improvements
 
 
 
'''Screenshot of current 1.2.6-dev'''
 
[[File:Mrc-126-Dev.png]]
 
'''New from 1.2.5:'''
 
*Latency reporting
*New '''STATS''' server command (available via /QUOTE)
*New '''TIME''' server command (available via /QUOTE)
*Many small issues and optimizations
*Welcome message when entering room with number of users
*Removed the server generated "joined room" message for self
 
== Stage 5 - 2023 ==
Deployment of the new server have been completed on November 30th 2023.
 
The release of a new MRC package containing the Mystic UI and Mystic client will be released before the end of the year 2023.
 
Many new options are included in the release, including:
 
=== '''MRC Server''' ===
*Migration from Python 2 to Python 3 codebase
*Deterministic routing only sends messages to BBSes with currently connected users to the room, '''increasing privacy'''
*SSL support
*More aggressive bot handling
*'''BBSES''' now supports keyword search
*New '''CHANGELOG''' command to provide server-side features changelog
*New '''HELP''' system to provide server-side commands help
*New '''ROOMCONFIG''' feature to allow room configuration and persistence
*New '''IDENTITY''' system to register nick and provide basic trust level implementation (WIP)
*New '''TOPICS''' command provide history of room topics
*New '''TRUST''' command provides ''MRC Trust'' control features
 
==== <u>December 8th 2023</u> ====
*''MRC Trust'' will be required for the following actions:
**Send a '''BROADCAST''' message
**Set the '''TOPIC''' on a room
*Available helpers in chat:
**URL Title expansion - Will display the title of a page when the link is sent in-chat
**Short URL generator - Will generate a short URL, easier to Copy/Paste
 
=== '''New Mystic UI improvements''' ===
*Large screens support from 80x24 to 132x60 (requires Mystic a47+)
*Modular theming and multiple resolution configurations (work in progress)
*Color switching moved from '''PgUp'''/'''PgDn''' to '''Right'''/'''Left'''
*New scrollback buffer (no longer rely on Mystic ANSI viewer)
*Non-blocking scrollback buffer (messages gets loaded in the background)
*Scrollback can be accessed using '''''/scroll''''' or '''PgUp'''
*New Mentions buffers (messages mentioning you are aggregated in an easy to review buffer)
*Mention buffer accessible using '''''/mentions''''' or '''Del'''
*Mention counter on the main screen, visiting the buffer resets the counter
*Replying to a Direct message ('''''/R''''') stays in that context until exited using '''Esc'''
*Direct message context shows the input bar as red for better visual indication
*Twit filter now available using '''''/twit''''' and '''''/set twitfilter'''''
*Broadcast shield is now available using '''''/set shield'''''
*Scrolling banner (at the top) can now be disabled using '''''/set scroller'''''
*Client help redone and now on 2 screens and available using '''''/?'''''
*'''''/quote''''' no longer required to send server commands
*CTCP support
*Screen refresh optimization
*Added a welcome screen for new users, can also be seen using '''''/welcome'''''
*Conversion script to convert old MRC data files to new format for upgrades
*Password prompts for sensitive prompts now masks password entry
*Adjusted timing to reduce load around filesystem access
 
=== '''New Mystic client improvements''' ===
*New Python 2 and Python 3 clients provided
*Duplicate process check to prevent having more than 1 client running
*SSL support
*All configuration moved to a config file (ie URL, port, etc)
 
'''Screenshot of current 1.3.2-dev'''
 
[[File:Mrc-132-Dev.png]]
 
== Stage 6 - 2024 ==
 
=== '''MRC Server''' ===
 
* Live URL shortener for URLs posted in chat to ease copy/paste
** Added URL title resolution
** Added VirusTotal status of link
* Added support for helpers
** Use '''!list''' for list of available helpers
* '''/BBSES''' now supports ''!exclude'' filters in search
 
{| class="wikitable"
|+List of current helpers
!Helper
!Description
|-
|!random
|Random number generator
|-
|!time
|Gives time in location or timezone
|-
|!weather
|Gives current weather in location
|-
|!radio
|Provides status of radio streams
|-
|!solar
|Gives Solar indices and radio propagation
|-
|!stocks
|Gives stocks data
|-
|!report
|Report directly to developer inside MRC
|-
|!rainbow
|Colorize message to multiple colors
|-
|!slap
|Famous trout slap
|-
|!leet
|Transform message to 1337 speak
|-
|!kewl
|Transform message to kEwL speak
|-
|!escrow
|Escrow message service to send another user a message while they are offline
(Requires sender and recipient to be an MRC Trust users)
|}
Many more coming soon...
 
=== '''New Mystic UI improvements''' ===
[[File:MRC features spotlight.png|thumb]]
* Single script now support Python 2.7 and Python 3
* Minor fixes for Windows users
[[File:MRC BitchX inspired theme.png|thumb]]
=== '''New Mystic client improvements''' ===
 
* New terminal sizes and themes available
** 132x50
** 132x60
** 160x45
** 160x60
* Several minor fixes
* New interface features: Nicklist, clock, stats, etc
* 3 New themes: BitchX inspired, 2leet4U and Least (Last 2 from n1tron)


==Feedback==
==Feedback==
Feedback is appreciated, please report any issues found to StackFault, either in MRC directly, by logging in to The Bottomless Abyss or via netmail.
Feedback is appreciated, please report any issues found to StackFault, either in MRC directly, by logging in to The Bottomless Abyss or via netmail.
You can use the '''!report''' helper inside MRC directly,
==Brainstorming==
'''Here we can list ideas for future features for MRC.'''
*Vote on a user being muted.
*/whois <username> command - The whois command would allow a user to set one line of text about themselves. ie: Stackfault - SysOp of Bottomless Abyss BBS Member of: Phenom.
*Loyalty points: If a particular user helps another user of the chat, that user can +1 the helping user. And would be issued 1 (one) help point. This information would be displayed with the /whois command.
*Offline messaging
**If you send an offline message to a user, Your private message will be sent and when that user logs on again, the message(s) would be delivered.

Latest revision as of 12:13, 2 September 2024

MRC release information

MRC Client Release Status
Version Status Released Date Channel
1.2.9a Stable Yes Apr 18 2019 Phenom Productions

https://phenomprod.com

1.3.7-alpha Alpha Yes Sep 1 2024 Download on The Bottomless Abyss

BBS: telnet://bbs.bottomlessabyss.net:2023

Direct: https://bbs.bottomlessabyss.net/mods-distro/pn-mrc137-alpha.zip

Intro

The Multi Relay Chat platform is undergoing a major transformation. Thanks to Gryphon for the initial version.

This transformation will happen in multiple stages and feedback is always appreciated.

Developers

If you are a developer and would like to port MRC to your platform, please follow the following process to get access to the protocol documentation.

  1. Create an account on the Wiki
  2. Send StackFault a BBS e-mail on The Bottomless Abyss, a netmail or Internet email to: sysop (at) bottomlessabyss (dot) net)
  3. Once your request have been approved, you will have access to the MRC development namespace here: MRCDoc:MRC Protocol

Supported platforms

Support exists for many BBS platforms currently. If you want to contribute for a platform not in this list, please reach out.

List of BBS platforms with MRC support
Platform Status Implementer Maintained
Mystic Active StackFault Yes
CNet Active aNACHRONiST Yes
Ami-Express Active ? ?
Synchronet Active eChicken Yes
Enigma 1/2 Active RiPuk Yes
WildCat Interested
CyberBBS Active Nugax No

Stage 1

Many issues existed in the client portion of MRC. These issues have been resolved with the release of an updated client replacing the MPL script.

Backward compatibility with v1.1 is maintained allowing a mix of older and newer clients to interact while a transition is worked out.

Quick adoption of this release have seen many BBSes adopt the new client.

Stage 2

The server was moved to a DC hosted server to ensure better availability and allow for some minor performance improvement.

A new server codebase is being developed from scratch to address many of the issues identified previously while maintaining backward compatibility with the v1.1 implementation.

Stage 3 - 2018

Cross-platform interoperability documentation is being developed to allow the platform to extend beyond the Mystic BBS base.

This will allow other platforms to interact easily with the platform, creating a uniform chat experience.

If you are a developer and wish to create a client for a platform not listed, please reach out to StackFault and ask for access to the development team.

Stage 4 - 2019

Deployment of the new server have been completed on March 5th 2019.

The release of a new MRC package containing the Mystic UI and Mystic client was made at the same date.

This release is now called Multi Relay Chat and shows v1.2.5.

Many new options are included in the release, including:

New Server code includes the following improvements

  • Multi-threaded architecture
  • Message queuing
  • Improved validation of connections
  • Improved keep-alive mechanisms
  • Faster roundtrip of messages
  • Increased connection capacity
  • BBS information screens
  • Better announcement of connecting users
  • New server commands
  • Many more smaller improvements

New Mystic UI improvements

  • Handle auto-completion
  • Better support for customization
  • Many more smaller improvements

New Mystic client improvements

  • Auto-reconnect within the client
  • Support for the new server commands
  • Improved keep-alive mechanism
  • Support for server-side managed rooms
  • Many more smaller improvements


Screenshot of current 1.2.6-dev

New from 1.2.5:

  • Latency reporting
  • New STATS server command (available via /QUOTE)
  • New TIME server command (available via /QUOTE)
  • Many small issues and optimizations
  • Welcome message when entering room with number of users
  • Removed the server generated "joined room" message for self

Stage 5 - 2023

Deployment of the new server have been completed on November 30th 2023.

The release of a new MRC package containing the Mystic UI and Mystic client will be released before the end of the year 2023.

Many new options are included in the release, including:

MRC Server

  • Migration from Python 2 to Python 3 codebase
  • Deterministic routing only sends messages to BBSes with currently connected users to the room, increasing privacy
  • SSL support
  • More aggressive bot handling
  • BBSES now supports keyword search
  • New CHANGELOG command to provide server-side features changelog
  • New HELP system to provide server-side commands help
  • New ROOMCONFIG feature to allow room configuration and persistence
  • New IDENTITY system to register nick and provide basic trust level implementation (WIP)
  • New TOPICS command provide history of room topics
  • New TRUST command provides MRC Trust control features

December 8th 2023

  • MRC Trust will be required for the following actions:
    • Send a BROADCAST message
    • Set the TOPIC on a room
  • Available helpers in chat:
    • URL Title expansion - Will display the title of a page when the link is sent in-chat
    • Short URL generator - Will generate a short URL, easier to Copy/Paste

New Mystic UI improvements

  • Large screens support from 80x24 to 132x60 (requires Mystic a47+)
  • Modular theming and multiple resolution configurations (work in progress)
  • Color switching moved from PgUp/PgDn to Right/Left
  • New scrollback buffer (no longer rely on Mystic ANSI viewer)
  • Non-blocking scrollback buffer (messages gets loaded in the background)
  • Scrollback can be accessed using /scroll or PgUp
  • New Mentions buffers (messages mentioning you are aggregated in an easy to review buffer)
  • Mention buffer accessible using /mentions or Del
  • Mention counter on the main screen, visiting the buffer resets the counter
  • Replying to a Direct message (/R) stays in that context until exited using Esc
  • Direct message context shows the input bar as red for better visual indication
  • Twit filter now available using /twit and /set twitfilter
  • Broadcast shield is now available using /set shield
  • Scrolling banner (at the top) can now be disabled using /set scroller
  • Client help redone and now on 2 screens and available using /?
  • /quote no longer required to send server commands
  • CTCP support
  • Screen refresh optimization
  • Added a welcome screen for new users, can also be seen using /welcome
  • Conversion script to convert old MRC data files to new format for upgrades
  • Password prompts for sensitive prompts now masks password entry
  • Adjusted timing to reduce load around filesystem access

New Mystic client improvements

  • New Python 2 and Python 3 clients provided
  • Duplicate process check to prevent having more than 1 client running
  • SSL support
  • All configuration moved to a config file (ie URL, port, etc)

Screenshot of current 1.3.2-dev

Stage 6 - 2024

MRC Server

  • Live URL shortener for URLs posted in chat to ease copy/paste
    • Added URL title resolution
    • Added VirusTotal status of link
  • Added support for helpers
    • Use !list for list of available helpers
  • /BBSES now supports !exclude filters in search
List of current helpers
Helper Description
!random Random number generator
!time Gives time in location or timezone
!weather Gives current weather in location
!radio Provides status of radio streams
!solar Gives Solar indices and radio propagation
!stocks Gives stocks data
!report Report directly to developer inside MRC
!rainbow Colorize message to multiple colors
!slap Famous trout slap
!leet Transform message to 1337 speak
!kewl Transform message to kEwL speak
!escrow Escrow message service to send another user a message while they are offline

(Requires sender and recipient to be an MRC Trust users)

Many more coming soon...

New Mystic UI improvements

  • Single script now support Python 2.7 and Python 3
  • Minor fixes for Windows users

New Mystic client improvements

  • New terminal sizes and themes available
    • 132x50
    • 132x60
    • 160x45
    • 160x60
  • Several minor fixes
  • New interface features: Nicklist, clock, stats, etc
  • 3 New themes: BitchX inspired, 2leet4U and Least (Last 2 from n1tron)

Feedback

Feedback is appreciated, please report any issues found to StackFault, either in MRC directly, by logging in to The Bottomless Abyss or via netmail.

You can use the !report helper inside MRC directly,

Brainstorming

Here we can list ideas for future features for MRC.

  • Vote on a user being muted.
  • /whois <username> command - The whois command would allow a user to set one line of text about themselves. ie: Stackfault - SysOp of Bottomless Abyss BBS Member of: Phenom.
  • Loyalty points: If a particular user helps another user of the chat, that user can +1 the helping user. And would be issued 1 (one) help point. This information would be displayed with the /whois command.
  • Offline messaging
    • If you send an offline message to a user, Your private message will be sent and when that user logs on again, the message(s) would be delivered.
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