#Chapp package: easy plugin chat for meteor
In order to use it you need to set two Session variables:
Session.set('chapp-username','Desired username'); //you could set the user name on user login
Session.set('chapp-docid','uniqueIdentifier'); //The room identifier. Iron router's before action can be a great spot to set this.
Session.set('chapp-historysince',new Date()); //Limit messages based on the date they were posted
The variables are reactive, you can change them at any time.
Then, in your template all the chat template: {{>chapp_form}}
These are the chat templates, you can style the look and feel in your css:
<template name="chapp_form">
<div id="chapp_wrapper">
<div id="chapp_text">
{{#each chapp}}
{{>chapp_item}}
{{/each}}
</div>
<form id="chapp-form">
<div id="chapp-input-div"><input id="chapp-input" type="text" placeholder="Enter your message here" /></div>
<button id="chapp-button" type="submit">Send</button>
</form>
</div>
</template>
<template name="chapp_item">
<p>
<span class="chapp-chat-date">{{formatDate chatDate}}</span> |
<span class="chapp-username">{{chatUserName}}:</span>
<span class="chapp-message">{{chatText}}</span>
</p>
</template>
This is far from ready, but usable. I've published it to familiarize myself with the new package system. It's tested in a real Meteor app, but doesn't have yet test suites.