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Would like someone to help me create a Discord alternative

Thread Description
Please help make Discord alternative

R3n

varishangout.com
So, after thinking about it, I took @Halo's advice, and finally made a post like this. I posted this list to my forum about 4 days ago, but I've finally decided to also post this here.

I've had this idea for a while, long before the current redesign. I know there's plenty of alternatives, but most of them aren't as easy to use or work as well as Discord. I would like to change this.

I have the means to host a Discord alternative, I own a technology related forum. I may need to upgrade to a VPS plan depending on the solution, but I need an excuse to avoid the almost inevitable cPanel 98 anyways. Or it could be added to the Varis collection of sites instead.



The main goals so far would be:

A fast and more compatible browser client.

A similar look to Discord, but without completely ripping it off.

A font that looks good, allows for easily distinguishing between l and I, and renders good under GDI and Linux.

Ability to import channels and messages from exported Discord messages.



Long term goals (This would be before the stable and full 1.0 release):

A dedicated option for users to create and submit custom themes, creating a bit of something for everyone.

Attempt to get feature parity with Discord.

Two clients, one similar to the current Discord client, and one similar to the chat clients of 10+ years ago. One for people who want something fully featured, the other for people on old computers or want something basic and lightweight.

Server nuke protection.

Bot similar to those Discord IRC bots, allowing users to access Discord servers using the client of our soon to be alternative. (This may sound a bit counterintuitive, but it has its benefits)



The list may seem a bit barren, but I don't want to overpromise and underdeliver. It could eventually beat Discord in some regards, for example, I'd like 10MB uploads and 100 free emojis per sever able to be used anywhere, but I don't know when those would happen. It's very likely, but unconfirmed.



What I would need:

Basic mockups, this doesn't need to be detailed or fancy, just a simple overview of what it could end up looking like. If I'm not lazy, I might finally make a few.

I need people able to code and develop. The most I can reliably do is edit CSS, and I'm pretty bad at it. I cannot do this myself.

I need a designer to design and preferably code the main theme and design an icon. I have a few people in mind, however if they all refuse, I would be willing to let someone from the community in.

I could potentially need testers, I have some people that I could use, but more is always better.

There may be more people needed for some tasks I haven't thought of.

If this idea is flawed in some way, please let me know, and I'll correct it or think of solutions.

If any of this interests you, or you want to help, please either leave a comment or DM me, and we can discuss further there.
 

DarkMahesvara

varishangout.com
Regular
I've had this idea for a while, long before the current redesign. I know there's plenty of alternatives, but most of them aren't as easy to use or work as well as Discord. I would like to change this.
Why not just use one of the alternative like matrix and just make your own client. This way you don't have to build it from the ground up and can focus on the UI. There are even already bridges.
What I would need:

Basic mockups, this doesn't need to be detailed or fancy, just a simple overview of what it could end up looking like. If I'm not lazy, I might finally make a few.

I need people able to code and develop. The most I can reliably do is edit CSS, and I'm pretty bad at it. I cannot do this myself.
Problem with your plan is that probably nobody will bother helping you if there isn't even a basic functional build.
I need a designer to design and preferably code the main theme and design an icon. I have a few people in mind, however if they all refuse, I would be willing to let someone from the community in.

I could potentially need testers, I have some people that I could use, but more is always better.

There may be more people needed for some tasks I haven't thought of.
The idea to do it is great but realistically speaking I don't see it happening based on the information provided. This might be a bit harsh but those are just my 2cents.
 

R3n

varishangout.com
Why not just use one of the alternative like matrix and just make your own client. This way you don't have to build it from the ground up and can focus on the UI. There are even already bridges.
I've tried, the closest thing to what I wanted that I found was Let's Chat, but it's abandoned, and I can't use MongoDB.
Problem with your plan is that probably nobody will bother helping you if there isn't even a basic functional build.
I can barely edit CSS, I would need someone to make the functional build. Maybe you could solve the problem for me?
 

Halo

varishangout.com
Regular
The main goals so far would be...
Honestly a lot of these sound like they could be matched by Rocket.Chat.

Server nuke protection.
The best protection for something being deleted is self-hosting it

Long term goals...
I'm gonna be honest, with a lot of these you'd be better off making feature requests (assuming they don't already exist) in the Rocket.Chat github.
They're the closest thing to discord, that's also decent to use (Fuck you matrix). You can edit the CSS in it yourself, and add custom JS to your instance or server or whatever you wanna call it (Like we have a button to toggle dark and light mode).
The biggest problem at the moment is not being able to sort the channels yourself (Done automatically by letter, or activity).

If you really want a discord alt, I suggest looking at that. You say you've got a server so you could possibly host it yourself, and like I said with any missing features you can always make feature requests.

Creating a whole new chat software is a bit over the top, and pretty unrealistic considering there are some decent options people would rather continue building onto.
 

R3n

varishangout.com
Honestly a lot of these sound like they could be matched by Rocket.Chat.


The best protection for something being deleted is self-hosting it


I'm gonna be honest, with a lot of these you'd be better off making feature requests (assuming they don't already exist) in the Rocket.Chat github.
They're the closest thing to discord, that's also decent to use (Fuck you matrix). You can edit the CSS in it yourself, and add custom JS to your instance or server or whatever you wanna call it (Like we have a button to toggle dark and light mode).
The biggest problem at the moment is not being able to sort the channels yourself (Done automatically by letter, or activity).

If you really want a discord alt, I suggest looking at that. You say you've got a server so you could possibly host it yourself, and like I said with any missing features you can always make feature requests.

Creating a whole new chat software is a bit over the top, and pretty unrealistic considering there are some decent options people would rather continue building onto.
So I took a look at Rocket.Chat, and they appear to force the user into using an Electron client or mobile, which I don't like. Might as well just use Discord at that point and deal with it.

I also like the idea of something new, better optimized, purpose built for the specific purpose it's meant to fill. I'd probably have to modify much of Rocket.Chat to obtain my goals. I'd also like to have something easily able to have 3rd party clients made for. I'd like people to push the limits of what devices could use the service.
I've never really liked IRC, especially that there is no chat history, so if someone responds to a question when you're asleep, guess you're fucked.
 

Halo

varishangout.com
Regular
So I took a look at Rocket.Chat, and they appear to force the user into using an Electron client or mobile,
We have a rocket.chat and you can just use it in your browser

also like the idea of something new, better optimized, purpose built for the specific purpose it's meant to fill. I'd probably have to modify much of Rocket.Chat to obtain my goals. I'd also like to have something easily able to have 3rd party clients made for. I'd like people to push the limits of what devices could use the service.
Well if you want this idea to go anywhere you're gonna either have to learn how to do this yourself and make a prototype to get some interest and help, or get together other people willing to start from scratch rather than just assist with ongoing projects.
Either way good luck :shrug:
 
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