The Palace
Introduction
“The Palace is a software program used to access graphical chat room servers, called palaces, in which users may interact with one another using graphical avatars overlaid on a graphical backdrop. The software concept was originally created by Jim Bumgardner, an employee of Time Warner Interactive, in 1994, and was first opened to the public in November 1995.” (Wikipedia, retrieved 16:03, 16 September 2010 (CEST))
Main features:
- A server is organised in rooms which are connected through doors. Each room is represented by a large Bitmap
- Users are represented by partially transparent 2D avatars, by default smilies
- Chat appears as chat bubbles above the avatars like in comic books
A palace server can be configured to include various extensions. There exist (free) versions that could (and still can) be run on consumer PCs and this may be the reason why Palace servers are still popular 10 years after the death of the company.
Software
Clients
- Linpal (Linux)
- OpenPalace (Flash). See also the OpenPalace Wiki
- PalaceChat (Windows client)
- Phalanx
Servers
If we understood right, it's the original server. Not tested, no idea how safe this software is.
- Palace Server Software (Win/Linux/Unix/Mac)
- Linux Palace Downloads A Linux Palace server is secure and can support 2550 users.
- Palaceplugins.com Plugins for the linux palace server.
Similar technology
- The manor (Mad Wolf Software)
Links
- About the Palace
- The Palace (computer program) (Wikipedia)
- Support groups and sites
- Palace Server and Client Support group (Yahoo group)
- ThePalace.com Old official website bought by Palace fans. Includes a Palace directory and links.
- Palace Planet. The community portal. Includes forums and downloads (or links to downloads)