An error is showing

Please firstly ensure you are using the latest version of the Shoutbox available. If you get any errors after updating, it might be due to a template override, so try backing the file up and deleting it.

Please report any errors you receive on the forum or via email (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)

How do I change the styling of the Shoutbox (Pro version)?

In the Pro version (v11 and above), we use CSS variables to determine the colours:

.jjshoutbox {
  --shoutbox-red: #e16464;
  --shoutbox-green: #7be082;
  --shoutbox-output-bg-color: transparent;
  --shoutbox-output-border-color: #ff3c16;
  --shoutbox-output-border-width: 1px;
  --shoutbox-user-state-online: var(--shoutbox-green);
  --shoutbox-user-state-offline: var(--shoutbox-green);
  --shoutbox-tooltip-bg-color: #333;
  --shoutbox-tooltip-color: #fff;
  --shoutbox-header-bg-color: #ddd;
  --shoutbox-header-color: #111;
  --shoutbox-date-color: #777;
  --shoutbox-delete-icon-color: var(--shoutbox-red);
  --shoutbox-edit-icon-color: #444;
  --shoutbox-reply-icon-color: #444;
  --shoutbox-history-icon-color: #444;
  --shoutbox-volume-icon-color: #444;
  --shoutbox-thumbs-icon-color: #444;
  --shoutbox-thumbs-count-color: #444;
  --shoutbox-message-color: currentcolor;
  --shoutbox-user-quote-bg-color: #eeeded;
  --shoutbox-guest-not-allowed-color: var(--shoutbox-red);
  --shoutbox-code-bg-color: #f6f8fa;
  --shoutbox-drag-border-color: #7cbbe2;
  --shoutbox-upload-placeholder-color: #7cbbe2;
}

Assuming your template supports a user.css file, you can change the colours by simply overriding a variable, like so:

.jjshoutbox {
  --shoutbox-header-color: #f00;
}

Too many resources are being used on my server

The Shoutbox is Ajax driven. It does not use websockets for a live feed, therefore each time you submit, delete, edit, update, 'thumbs-up' a shout or the Shoutbox is refreshed, this submits a request to the server.

Some hosting providers limit the amount of requests allowed per hour, day, etc. If you noticed too many resources are being used due to the Shoutbox, you can do any of the following:

• Increase the value of the Auto refresh parameter. (Default is 10)
• Disable the Can edit own shout? parameter
• Disable the Can delete own shout? parameter
• Don't allow guests to submit shouts
• Disable the Shout history parameter
• If guests are allowed to submit shouts, keeping the Auto refresh for guests enabled could be extremely resource heavy. Ensure you have this disabled.

I'm getting spam on the shoutbox

The Shoutbox has 2 spam preventions features, a simple math question which is drawn to a canvas using Javascript and ReCaptcha(v2).

To prevent spam, disabling the Shoutbox for guests would be a good place to start, but if you require the Shoutbox for public use, then please enable one of the spam prevention features (we suggest ReCaptcha).

If you're being spammed by a specific user, the Pro version of the Shoutbox has an IP ban feature which will come in handy.

Translations

Translations for this module are always gratefully received - you can submit these to our email (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) or via the forum. We will always give appropriate credit to submitted translations.

Beta versions (testing and bug reporting)

When a major update or feature is due to be rolled out, we sometimes release a Beta version of the Shoutbox. This is clearly marked on the Download page, so please remember that it should not be used for production websites. If you would like to test it, please feel free and any bugs or suggestions should be submitted to out Github Issue Tracker