ICS Output and Chat in single window

[gatoruss]

I have been using winboard as a pgn viewer, but recently have been experimenting with it as an interface for FICS.

I have downloaded the most recent windows version 4.8.0b. I am reviewing information here --> https://www.gnu.org/software/xboard/use ... Guide.html .

When I log onto FICS, however, the ICS Output window and the chatbox are in separate windows. Moreover, each channel and/or chess partner that I try to chat with opens a separate window (although all current chat channels or chat partners are list in the tabs of each chat window). See image below.

Does winboard (as opposed to xboard) not have the feature of a single ICS Output and Chat window as described in the attached link? Or, is there some option that I need to set?

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

[H.G.Muller]

Indeed, WinBoard and XBoard are different in this respect. The idea was that the user would have the choice between stacking all the chat windows, treating them like they are tabs in the same window through the buttons, or unstack them to tile them side by side, so he can see all chats at once.

I was not so happy with the design where each chat window has its own input field, however; I kept typing messages in the wrong window, shouting things like 'who' or 'games', and I noticed many other people did the same. Ad it was cumbersome that the mouse was needed to switch between chats. So when I later added a chat feature to XBoard I based it on a single input field, which would be multiplexed between the chats, possibly through key commands.

[gatoruss]

Thank you for the prompt reply.

So -- If I understand correctly, winboard just has separate windows for chat and ICS interaction.

[H.G.Muller]

Indeed. Every chat (up to 5) has its own window, which is different from the ICS Interaction window (but in fact a sub-dialog of the latter, so it opens minimizes with it.)

[gatoruss]

The idea was that the user would have the choice between stacking all the chat windows, treating them like they are tabs in the same window through the buttons, or unstack them to tile them side by side, so he can see all chats at once.

Is there a way to force or configure the chat windows to stack, or do you need to drag them on top of one another? I have been dragging them, but then if I need to move them I need to move each and realign them. No way to have them "linked" so that they move together when stacked?

Thanks for your help.

[H.G.Muller]

They would normally appear in the upper-left corner of the ICS window, which would make them stack automatically. I admit this is not ideal; often you want them elsewhere, and after you move them, new ones still would pop up in the old place. It would be better if they appeared on top of each other. That would still leave the question which one, when the user had dragged them apart. But it could just pick anyone.

Unfortunately this is not implemented yet. Currently the only thing that can be done is use them as is, or not use them at all. Nothing is configurable about them (other than the number of them that would popen automatically on WinBoard startup in ICS mode).