One point one point one point - no, just the three...

Version 1.1.1 (I noticed a bug just after submitting 1.1.0) of BelleChat is now ready for download in Nokia Store. Here are the new features:

• It now handles private messages. When a private message comes in or you QUERY another user, BelleChat will open a new tab.
• BelleChat handles most of the CTCP messages automatically. USERINFO is switchable, as it's there to display user (err, you) information, not client (BelleChat) information. You'll notice a new Settings page where you can enter your vital statistics, if you so wish.
• Protected channels are now handled. These are channels which require a key to join. This is a feature requested by Daren Pearcy, one of my users. See, I do listen...
• Another thing Daren requested, which was something I'd already thought about, is autojoining channels. You'll see a new edit box on the Server Settings page. Enter one or more channels in here, and when BelleChat connects, it'll join those channels if it can.

So what's next, I hear you cry? Well, there's autojoining protected channels, as well as multiple server information, and other, more esoteric IRC features (DCC, anyone?).

Just one thing. One of the reviews in Nokia Store complained that his phone gets hot while running BelleChat. IRC was created in the early 90s, when most people's home computers weren't connected to the internet, let alone their mobile phones. It uses an always on connection, it doesn't poll or anything like that. So it's gonna be connected to the cellular network (or wifi - unlike a lot of other apps out there, it lets the operating system decide what the best network connection to use, which is the way it should be) all the time, and get hot. There's not much I can do about that. In fact, as far as I can make out, Symbian, with its proper multitasking, is the only mobile phone OS out there will run IRC properly, because all the others will kill it if it's not in the foreground.

Introducing QMLIrc (yeah, it's a rubbish name...)

Behold. The first screenshot of QMLIrc, my IRC client for Symbian Anna and Belle smartphones. You'll see elements of Windows 7 in the background. This is because it's a screen capture of the program running un the Qt Simulator, as I haven't yet downloaded a screen capture program for my N8.

You'll notice the Belle-based user interface, mostly built on QT Quick Components. So what can it do right now? Well, it can connect to an IRC server, and join one or more channels. It can send output to the server, and receive input, which it can direct to the proper tab. And, thanks to the Communi library, it has pretty colours, too! If fact as it stands it's a usable, if extremely basic IRC client.

Here's the GitHub repository if you want to play...

Bargain!

The one problem I've found with my Astra is nowhere to put my mobile. There's nowhere to put a stick on holder within reach of the driver, and the ones that clip on the vent rattle too much. That's why I was pleased to find a Brodit Proclip for 99p + postage on Fleabay (They're normally £20!). These are vehicle specific brackets that fix solidly to the dashboard with no screws, using sticky pads and/or jamming into the gaps between dash panels. Brodit also sell phone specific holders that fit to the proclip, but as Mrs MnG has a different phone to me, I'll fix a universal holder to it. It's in exactly the right position for the satnav on my n73. Lovely.

Oh, and I've also enrolled on my AAT Accounting course at Burton College. I start Monday. I'm a student again!

Is that Mr MnG?

I don't seem to have a very telephone friendly voice. People assume I'm the wife. As you can imagine, this causes problems, from the guy at Domino's calling me madam, to people at call centres hanging up because they don't think I'm me (and not the Indian ones, either). I think I need a voice changer.