User:SeanFainer2/sandbox

Xat is a social media platform founded in 1998.

first founded as an Image Optimizer that allowed people to convert, resize and edit their images. One of the key features of the Image Optimizer was Digimarc digital watermarking that added copyright information to images. The Image Optimizer became complex over time with more tools such as MagiCompression that can halve the size of images automatically.

In 2001, "xatShow" was invented to make image slideshows and screensavers with various effects. It also allowed Flash or Java slideshows for websites and on your TV by using DVD or CD players.

The first rebranding of xat.com occurred. "xatquiz" was made to play and make your own quizzes that can be uploaded for others or burned to a DVD.

Rebranding occurred again with a focus on chat boxes and web gear, described as "Free stuff for your website. Get a free poll, chat, room, quiz, slideshow and room 101 for your web site or MySpace." This was considered the first introduction to chat boxes, which also included smilies. The Lobby chat room was created as the first "group". "Lobby", "Ignition", "Flirt" and "Illusion" were the first chatrooms to be created and advertised as actual groups. By late summer, xat was rebranded again to become a social network. Chat audies, the xat wiki and the community forum were introduced. Towards the end of 2007, the site was generally known for being very social through the promotion of various chats and a large growth of users. In 2008, The ticket system was created for users to contact xat volunteers and admins concerning their accounts. By spring, subscriptions for xats and the transfer feature was introduced. Ultra smilies and kisses were also available to subscribed users.

Towards the end of the year, the group directory & universe page listed every chat that was ever made. Powers were introduced, which lead to the creation of the trade engine and more demand for xat subscriptions. Purple was released as xat's first epic power. Later on, AllPowers was established as a set of powers that gives you some extra abilities on the chat. xat's first mobile platform (m.xat.com) was introduced, but was later scrapped for a mobile app instead. In September, xat officially launched a Twitter page to share news and updates. A new security feature, account locking, was added to block any login attempts that are not coming from your home location.