YShout Ajax-PHP Framework

YShout Framework: Combining PHP and Ajax

Frameworks come in different forms. There are frameworks that were built for developing full featured applications while there are frameworks geared for lightweight online applications. Developers could also choose which programming language to use as most frameworks today will never require their developers to be highly proficient in JavaScript. They just have to be familiar with their preferred programming language and let the framework work from there in building an Ajax based application.

There is also a particular group of frameworks that is small enough to cater to a specific function. One of those frameworks is YShout. On its version 5.0 as of this writing, YShout is used if the developer wants to add a shoutbox in their website. This framework uses PHP and converts the functions into Ajax. This could be integrated in a website whether or not they are built using JavaScript or Ajax.

YShout connects directly to the server and although they are considered as a plug-in, they are completely independent from the website. Developers could just load shoutbox created with YShout and let the website function independently while chatting to other people. The shoutbox will load the messages automatically without intrusion from the website.

Customizable and Compliant

Like most shoutbox, YShout uses CSS to communicate with their user. CSS could easily relay the information from a different user to the client side. The challenge is often based on the fact that CSS would require a powerful server and a powerful bandwidth to work flawlessly. On the other hand, CSS is only loaded as a relay for messages which is very lightweight.

CSS can also be used to customize the shoutbox. But even with the customization, it could still run in most browsers and different programming languages of the original website. The output of CSS is in XHTML so it is fully compliant to most websites. Developers could practically build any type of online application and just integrate the shoutbox from YShout at the later part of development.

Powerful Control Panel

The administrator has complete control of the shoutbox and it’s not just limited to what the shoutbox will look like. Developers could control the conversation and prevent profanities or any word that they would like. The history viewer has been changed and can work even better in retrieval of information. The small, cute addition of smileys and acceptance of BBCode can also be achieved in using this framework in building a shotbox. Best of all, the control panel is also an Ajax based application.

YShout used to be a shoutbox that are sold to developers but the developers decided to give it away for free – as long as there is a donation made. It’s a “donationware’ which gives the developers a chance to donate any amount for the development of YShout.

If you’re looking for a powerful Ajax based shoutbox, consider using YShout. It’s very simple and lightweight that integration to the website is just a snap. By smartly using CSS, developers could build a highly effective and customized shoutbox in their website.