This feature has existed for quite a while. But for a long time it has been broken. A small typo prevented it from working properly. This system essentially revolutionizes Daimonin chat.

Currently (up to 0.10.5-g), we have a few static chat channels. Shout, say, etc. With the new system, we can create much more flexible channels at runtime. So if a MM wants to hold a raid, they can ask a VOL or GM to create a new channel for them. Then discussion pertaining to that raid can stay in that channel.

Each channel has a name and a shortcut (and a colour, but that's irrelevant). The name can be "General" or whatever. The shortcut can be "g" or something that makes life easier for people chatting in that channel.

So now we can have separate channels for general chat, quests, auctions, etc. This can also support clan chat. "-scytheswingers Argh, I hate those searats!" (I remain neutral in regards to clans atm, that was just an example)

We can also have laxly-moderated channels, like "adult" or whatever. Most rules still apply here, although this will likely require discussion among the VOL/GM team. But since players can enter and leave any channel they want at any time, this is generally not needed.

Various channels can also have required levels. For example, "newbs" or whatever can have no requirement, whereas "110club" will probably require level 110.

Every channel must be made by a VOL or GM, however. They should also ensure that topics stick to their appropriate channels (i.e. a discussion about the existence of a divine being in RL should stay in general or another off-topic channel).

Mutes still apply to channels. A player can either be muted from individual channels (i.e. someone who spams "selling linen dress for 50g!!!" may get muted from auction for a while) or from all channels.

To use a channel, you can use the "-" prefix for your chat. It is a shortcut for "/channel ". /channel works too, but it takes longer to type.

-general Hey everyone!
-auction selling KAotW, 3m
-g Hey everyone! (shortcut notation)
-g: picks his nose. (results in "[General: _person_ picks his nose.]", note the colon after the g)

This feature still has a few bugs. A few of the commands appear to not be enabled (probably more typos). I will fix this before putting the feature on Main.

Okay, scratch that last statement. The system appears functional, but poorly-documented. I'll work on that, I guess...

Okay, I have found a bug involving similarly-named channels (person, personal, personality). I'll fix that and look for some more.

No. /grid stands for /grid.

/describe has now been moved here.

Syntax:

/channel auction$
/channel general$

Notice you simply add a $ to the end of the channel name. Although, is the $ included on most keyboards? That could be an issue.

I'm sure the dollar sign is on every keyboard.

This feature is now on Main.

Three quick tips:

In the client's settings, Communication tab, change the channel format to indented. Much easier to read.

Use "/help /channel" to get the full channel documentation.

Use "/channel ?" every once in a while to see if any new channels have been created that you might want to join.

In the client's settings, Communication tab, change the channel format to indented. Much easier to read.

Is there any reason for prefixed? IMO it looks rubbish, just makes everything harder to read. Also the 10.6 indentation does a better job of indenting than channel format does (and you can set the level of indentation and it works on all forms of chat, not just channels). So for 10.6 I propose removing the channel format option entirely.

r6677 does this and various other improvements and fixes to 0.10.6's handling of channels.