Difference between revisions of "Live Chat Addon"

From WHMCS Documentation

(Connection Error)
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[[File:Available_on_marketplace.png|link=https://marketplace.whmcs.com/product/34]]
 
[[File:Available_on_marketplace.png|link=https://marketplace.whmcs.com/product/34]]
  
For more information and to order, please visit https://marketplace.whmcs.com/product/34
+
For more information and to order, go to [https://marketplace.whmcs.com/product/34 the WHMCS marketplace].
  
 
==Download==
 
==Download==
  
To download the latest version of the live chat add-on, visit https://www.whmcs.com/members/ and login using your registered email address and password.
+
To start using Live Chat:
  
===If your WHMCS licence is purchased directly===
+
# [https://www.whmcs.com/members/ Log in here]].
[[File:livechatdownload1.png|thumb|Live Chat Direct Download]]
+
# Go to '''Services > All Products & Services'''.
 
+
# Perform one of the following actions:
Once logged in, navigate to '''Services > All Products & Services''', select your main WHMCS licence (Leased- or Owned-) and the download will be available from the Information tab within that licence.
+
## If you purchased your WHMCS license directly, select your main WHMCS license, select the '''Information''' tab, and download Live Chat.
 
+
## If you purchased your WHMCS license from a reseller, select your Live Chat purchase, select the '''Downloads''' tab, and download Live Chat.
 
 
 
 
===If your WHMCS licence is purchased from a reseller===
 
[[File:livechatdownload2.png|thumb|Live Chat Reseller Download]]
 
Once logged in, navigate to '''Services > All Products & Services''', select your live chat purchase, and the download will be available from the Downloads tab within that product.
 
  
 
==Installation==
 
==Installation==
  
<html><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fcCKomdCe4Y&hd=1" class="docs-video-tutorial"><em>Watch the video tutorial for this feature</em><span>&nbsp;<img src="https://assets.whmcs.com/icons/youtube.png">&nbsp;</span></a></html>
+
<html><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fcCKomdCe4Y&hd=1" class="docs-video-tutorial"><em>Watch the video tutorial for this feature.</em><span>&nbsp;<img src="https://assets.whmcs.com/icons/youtube.png">&nbsp;</span></a></html>
  
To install, perform the steps below.
+
To install Live Chat, perform the steps below.
  
#Unzip the zip file download.
+
# Unzip the ZIP file download.
#Upload the contents of the '''‘upload_me’''' directory to your WHMCS installation root directory.
+
# Upload the contents of the <tt>upload_me</tt> directory to your WHMCS installation root directory.
#Ensure the ''/modules/livehelp/templates_c/'' directory is writeable
+
# Check to ensure that the <tt>/modules/livehelp/templates_c/</tt> directory is writeable.
#Visit the url below in a browser to complete the installation: ''www.yourdomain.com/whmcs/modules/livehelp/install''
+
# Go to <tt><nowiki>www.yourdomain.com/whmcs/modules/livehelp/install</nowiki></tt>, where <tt>www.yourdomain.com</tt> is the domain for your WHMCS installation, to complete installation.
  
<div class="docs-alert-info">After the installation has been completed, delete the installation directory located at /modules/livehelp/install/</div>
+
<div class="docs-alert-info">After installation, delete the <tt>/modules/livehelp/install/</tt> directory.</div>
  
<div class="docs-alert-warning"><strong><i class="fa fa-info-circle"></i> &nbsp;License Update</strong><br />If you recently purchased the Live Chat Add-on prior to installation, you may need to force a license update for your WHMCS installation to recognise the purchase. If you receive a license error or have trouble logging in after installation, login to your WHMCS Admin Area, navigate to ''Help > License Information'' and then click the '''Force License Update''' button. Then try logging in again.</div>
+
<div class="docs-alert-warning"><strong><i class="fa fa-info-circle"></i>License Update</strong><br />If you purchased the Live Chat Addon prior to installation, you may need to force a license update for your WHMCS installation to recognise the purchase. If you receive a license error or have trouble logging in after installation, log in to the WHMCS Admin Area, go to '''Help > License Information''', and click '''Force License Update'''. Then, reattempt login.</div>
  
To login to Live Chat, visit www.yourdomain.com/whmcs/modules/livehelp/admin
+
To log in to Live Chat, visit <tt><nowiki>www.yourdomain.com/whmcs/modules/livehelp/admin</nowiki></tt>, where <tt>www.yourdomain.com</tt> is the domain for your WHMCS installation.
  
You will be able to login using the same username and password as you use for the WHMCS admin area.
+
You will be able to log in using the same username and password as you use for the WHMCS Admin Area.
  
 
==Upgrading==
 
==Upgrading==
  
If you have an earlier version of the Live Chat Add-on installed follow the steps below to upgrade to the latest version.
+
If you have an earlier version of the Live Chat Addon, follow the steps below to upgrade to the latest version.
  
<div class="docs-alert-success"><strong>How to find the Latest Version</strong><br>To download the latest version, visit https://www.whmcs.com/members/ and login using your registered email address and password. Once logged in, navigate to ''Services > All Products & Services'', select your live chat purchase, and the download will then be available from the Downloads tab within that product.</div>
+
# Log in [[https://www.whmcs.com/members/ here]].
 
+
# Go to '''Services > All Products & Services'''.
#Unzip the zip file download.
+
# Select your Live Chat purchase.
#Upload the contents of the '''‘upload_me’''' directory to your WHMCS installation root directory.
+
# Go to the '''Downloads''' tab.
#Login to the Live Chat Add-on web based administration panel to complete the upgrade process:  ''www.yourdomain.com/whmcs/modules/livehelp/admin''
+
# Download Live Chat.
 
+
# Unzip the ZIP file download.
<div class="docs-alert-info">After the upgrade has been completed, delete the installation directory located at /modules/livehelp/install/</div>
+
# Upload the contents of the <tt>upload_me</tt> directory to your WHMCS installation's root directory.
 +
# Log in to the Live Chat Addon administration panel to complete the upgrade process at <tt><nowiki>www.yourdomain.com/whmcs/modules/livehelp/admin</nowiki></tt>, where <tt>www.yourdomain.com</tt> is the domain for your WHMCS installation.
 +
# Delete the <tt>/modules/livehelp/install/</tt> directory.
  
 
==Integration Outside of WHMCS==
 
==Integration Outside of WHMCS==
  
To integrate the visitor tracking and live help buttons to pages outside of your WHMCS installation (for example your main website pages), follow the steps below.
+
<div class="docs-alert-warning">'''Do Not Attempt''' to add this code to WHMCS templates. Those templates handle it automatically.</div>
  
<div class="docs-alert-warning">'''Do Not Attempt''' to add this code to WHMCS templates - it is handled automatically as described above</div>
+
To integrate visitor tracking and live help in pages outside of your WHMCS installation (for example, your main website), perform the steps below:
  
'''Step 1''' The following lines should be added on each page after your <title> tag and just before your </head> tag (this should be added once per page):
+
# Add the following lines to each page, once per page, after the <tt><title></tt> tag and jQuery call and before the <tt></head></tt> tag: <br /><source lang="js"><script type="text/javascript">
 
 
<source lang="js">
 
<script type="text/javascript">
 
 
<!--
 
<!--
 
var Chatstack = { server: 'www.example.com/support/modules' };
 
var Chatstack = { server: 'www.example.com/support/modules' };
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-->
 
-->
 
</script>
 
</script>
</source>
+
</source>Make certain to update<tt><nowiki>www.example.com/support/modules</nowiki></tt> with the path to your WHMCS installation's <tt>modules</tt> directory.
 
+
# Optionally, you can either or both of these chat initiation methods:
You need to customise the URL specified in the '''Chatstack.server''' parameter in the above code with the domain and path to your WHMCS installations modules directory.
+
## To display the Live Chat Operator status and end user chat initiation button:<source lang="js">
 
 
''Note: For this code to properly run on your website, jQuery must be called on your website prior to the code.''
 
 
 
'''Step 2''' The following lines can be optionally added to the page anywhere you wish to display the Live Chat Operator status and end user chat initiation button.
 
 
 
<source lang="js">
 
 
<a href="#" class="LiveHelpButton"><img src="http://www.example.com/whmcs/modules/livehelp/status.php" id="LiveHelpStatus" name="LiveHelpStatus" class="LiveHelpStatus" border="0" alt="Live Help" /></a>
 
<a href="#" class="LiveHelpButton"><img src="http://www.example.com/whmcs/modules/livehelp/status.php" id="LiveHelpStatus" name="LiveHelpStatus" class="LiveHelpStatus" border="0" alt="Live Help" /></a>
 
</source>
 
</source>
 
+
##To display a static text link for chat initiation:<source lang="php">
Alternatively if you would prefer a static text link for chat initiation, that can also be achieved as follows:
 
 
 
<source lang="php">
 
 
  <a href="#" class="LiveHelpButton">Chat With Us Live</a>
 
  <a href="#" class="LiveHelpButton">Chat With Us Live</a>
 
</source>
 
</source>
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==Web Admin Interface==
 
==Web Admin Interface==
  
The Live Help web-based administration interface can be accessed at
+
You can access the Live Help administration interface at <tt><nowiki>http://www.yourdomain.com/whmcs/modules/livehelp/admin/</nowiki></tt>, where <tt><nowiki>http://www.yourdomain.com</nowiki></tt> is the domain for your WHMCS installation.
 
 
http://www.yourdomain.com/whmcs/modules/livehelp/admin/
 
  
 
==Desktop Applications==
 
==Desktop Applications==
  
Downloadable clients are available for Windows, Mac and Linux.
+
Downloadable clients are available for Windows®, Mac®, and Linux®.
  
Mobile Apps are also available for iPhone and Android.
+
Mobile Apps are also available for iPhone® and Android™.
  
In most cases, these apps are available through the respective App Store's for these devices. The Windows app is available via the download link below.
+
In most cases, these apps are available through the standard app stores for these devices. The Windows app is available via the download link below.
  
 
===Windows===
 
===Windows===
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====Requirements====
 
====Requirements====
  
The requirements for the Windows App are as follows:
+
The Windows app has the following minimum requirements:
  
 
*Windows 7 / Vista / XP SP 2
 
*Windows 7 / Vista / XP SP 2
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====Installation====
 
====Installation====
  
You can download the latest version of the Windows Desktop Application at any time from https://www.chatstack.com/kb/download-live-chat/ and then follow the automated installer process to install on your computer.
+
[[https://www.chatstack.com/kb/download-live-chat/ Download the latest version of the Windows desktop application]] and follow the automated installation process.
  
 
===First Use===
 
===First Use===
  
Open first opening the Live Help Messenger application you will be presented with the following window:
+
The first time that you use this, a login prompt will display. Enter your account, username and password:
 
 
[[File:Signin.jpg|800px]]
 
  
Enter your Account, Username and Password to access the Live Help system, these are described below:
+
* '''Account or Server:''' Enter the full path to the <tt>modules</tt> directory for your WHMCS installation.
 +
* '''Username / Password:''' Enter the same username and password that you use to log in to the WHMCS Admin Area.
 +
* '''Enable Secure Sign In:''' Enable this if your WHMCS installation uses SSL.
 +
* '''Sign In Automatically:''' Enable this to sign in automatically for future logins. If you enable this, in the future on this device you will only need to enter your password.
  
* '''Account or Server:''' If Live Help is installed at http://www.yourdomain.com/whmcs/modules/livehelp/ then your account or server would be entered as www.yourdomain.com/whmcs/modules/
+
For more information, see [[https://www.chatstack.com/kb/category/apps/ the ChatStack website]].
* '''Username / Password:''' The username and password are the same as those used to login to the main WHMCS administration area.
 
* '''Enable Secure Sign In:''' You can login to the Live Help administration via. SSL if your installation is accessible at https://www.yourdomain.com
 
* '''Sign In Automatically:''' This option will automatically sign-in a given account the next time the Live Help Messenger application is opened.
 
 
 
When opening the Chatstack Windows app in the future you will only be prompted for your password. The Windows app will remember your server and username and only the password is required.
 
 
 
For further information on the Windows app and its usage, please refer to the ChatStack website at https://www.chatstack.com/kb/category/apps/
 
  
 
==Uninstallation==
 
==Uninstallation==
  
To remove the Live Chat Addon from your installation, perform these steps:
+
To remove the Live Chat Addon from your installation, delete the <tt>/modules/livehelp/</tt> directory and the <tt>/includes/hooks/livehelp.php</tt> file.
  
# Delete the ''/modules/livehelp/'' directory
+
Optionally, you can also remove the database tables that begin with <tt>mod_livehelp</tt>.
# Delete the ''/includes/hooks/livehelp.php'' file
 
 
 
You may also optionally remove/drop the database tables that begin ''mod_livehelp*'' however this step is not required.
 
 
 
==Further Reading==
 
 
 
Chaststack provides additional documentation covering how to use the live help software at:
 
http://www.chatstack.com/kb/
 
  
 
==Common Troubleshooting Tips==
 
==Common Troubleshooting Tips==
  
 
===Chat button non-functional / Blank live chat window===
 
===Chat button non-functional / Blank live chat window===
If clicking the chat button results in nothing happening or the live chat popup window is showing a blank chat window, first ensure that the /modules/livehelp/templates_c/ directory both exists and is writeable. We recommend that you try the following permissions in this order 755, 775 and 777.
+
If clicking the chat button results in nothing happening or the live chat popup window is showing a blank chat window, make certain that the <tt>/modules/livehelp/templates_c/</tt> directory both exists and is writeable.  
 +
 
 +
We recommend that you try the following permissions in this order: <tt>755</tt>, <tt>775</tt>, and <tt>777</tt>.
  
 
===The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.===
 
===The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.===
Upon clicking the "Chat Now" link, this message appears in the centre of the screen. This behaviour indicates that the templates cache cannot be created.  
+
This message may appear when you click '''Chat Now'''. This indicates that the system cannot create the templates cache.
 +
 
 +
To resolve this, make certain that the <tt>/modules/livehelp/templates_c/</tt> directory exists and is writeable.  
  
To resolve ensure that the /modules/livehelp/templates_c/ directory both exists and is writeable. We recommend that you try the following permissions in this order 755, 775 and 777.
+
We recommend that you try the following permissions in this order: <tt>755</tt>, <tt>775</tt>, and <tt>777</tt>.
  
 
===License Invalid / Unable to login===
 
===License Invalid / Unable to login===
If when first opening the live chat admin interface or connecting via the Windows Desktop App you get a "License Invalid" warning message, this indicates that your WHMCS installation has not yet updated to recognise your purchase of the addon. Your WHMCS install only calls home to validate your license with us periodically and so if you have only recently purchased the addon, you may need to force a local key update to have it take effect. To do that, navigate to '''Help > License Information''' and then click the '''Force License Update''' button.  Then try logging in again.
+
If you see a "License Invalid" warning message when you open the Live Chat admin interface, your WHMCS installation has not yet updated to recognise your purchase of the addon. Your WHMCS installation only calls home to validate your license with us periodically. If you recently purchased the addon, you may need to force a local key update to have it take effect.  
  
If it continues after that, please get in touch with us for assistance.
+
To do this, navigate to '''Help > License Information''' and click '''Force License Update'''. Then, attempt logging in again.
  
 
===Connection Error===
 
===Connection Error===
Experiencing a connection error when attempting to login to the live chat addon administration area is typically the result of misconfiguration permissions of the addon files and folders.
+
Connection errors when attempting to log in to the Live Chat administration area are typically due to misconfigured file and folder permissions.
 
 
File and folder permission configuration will vary depending upon your particular server environment, as a general guide:
 
* Files - <tt>644</tt>
 
* Folders - <tt>755</tt>
 
  
For example the ''/modules/livehelp/xml/WebService.php'' file should be CHMOD <tt>644</tt>.
+
This configuration varies depending on your particular server environment. For example, the permissions setting for the <tt>/modules/livehelp/xml/WebService.php</tt> file should be <tt>644</tt>.
  
* For suPHP or PHP suEXEC, you will need to restrict directories further. If you use DSO as your PHP handler, you must use <tt>644</tt> permissions.  
+
* suPHP and PHP suEXEC require more restriction. If you use DSO as your PHP handler, you '''must''' use <tt>644</tt> permissions.  
 
* Limit access to only the account that owns the web server process. Make sure that no other system or user accounts can read your configuration file or modify any WHMCS-related files.
 
* Limit access to only the account that owns the web server process. Make sure that no other system or user accounts can read your configuration file or modify any WHMCS-related files.
  
If the issue persists, enable your [https://help.whmcs.com/m/troubleshooting/l/1312423-an-error-occurred-while-communicating-with-the-server-please-try-again browser network console] and examine the response returned to obtain more information on the error's root cause.
+
If the issue persists, enable your [https://help.whmcs.com/m/troubleshooting/l/1312423-an-error-occurred-while-communicating-with-the-server-please-try-again browser network console] and examine the response for more information.
  
 
===Incorrect Server/Host===
 
===Incorrect Server/Host===
  
Receiving this error message in one of the Desktop or Mobile clients indicates that the Live Help installation cannot be found at the given URL. Double check the URL you've entered. If Live Help is installed at http://www.yourdomain.com/whmcs/modules/livehelp/ then you should enter it in the format www.yourdomain.com/whmcs/modules/
+
Receiving this error message in one of the Desktop or Mobile clients indicates that the Live Help installation cannot be found at the given URL. Make certain that you entered the correct URL.
 
 
==About==
 
 
 
The WHMCS Live Chat & Visitor Tracking Add-on is developed in partnership with Chatstack bringing a feature rich and powerful integrated chat solution to WHMCS users.  Featuring benefits including automatic client detection, loginshare, shared access to WHMCS predefined responses, integrated logging of chat transcripts and more.
 

Revision as of 19:26, 28 September 2021

Available on marketplace.png

For more information and to order, go to the WHMCS marketplace.

Download

To start using Live Chat:

  1. Log in here].
  2. Go to Services > All Products & Services.
  3. Perform one of the following actions:
    1. If you purchased your WHMCS license directly, select your main WHMCS license, select the Information tab, and download Live Chat.
    2. If you purchased your WHMCS license from a reseller, select your Live Chat purchase, select the Downloads tab, and download Live Chat.

Installation

Watch the video tutorial for this feature.  

To install Live Chat, perform the steps below.

  1. Unzip the ZIP file download.
  2. Upload the contents of the upload_me directory to your WHMCS installation root directory.
  3. Check to ensure that the /modules/livehelp/templates_c/ directory is writeable.
  4. Go to www.yourdomain.com/whmcs/modules/livehelp/install, where www.yourdomain.com is the domain for your WHMCS installation, to complete installation.
After installation, delete the /modules/livehelp/install/ directory.
License Update
If you purchased the Live Chat Addon prior to installation, you may need to force a license update for your WHMCS installation to recognise the purchase. If you receive a license error or have trouble logging in after installation, log in to the WHMCS Admin Area, go to Help > License Information, and click Force License Update. Then, reattempt login.

To log in to Live Chat, visit www.yourdomain.com/whmcs/modules/livehelp/admin, where www.yourdomain.com is the domain for your WHMCS installation.

You will be able to log in using the same username and password as you use for the WHMCS Admin Area.

Upgrading

If you have an earlier version of the Live Chat Addon, follow the steps below to upgrade to the latest version.

  1. Log in [here].
  2. Go to Services > All Products & Services.
  3. Select your Live Chat purchase.
  4. Go to the Downloads tab.
  5. Download Live Chat.
  6. Unzip the ZIP file download.
  7. Upload the contents of the upload_me directory to your WHMCS installation's root directory.
  8. Log in to the Live Chat Addon administration panel to complete the upgrade process at www.yourdomain.com/whmcs/modules/livehelp/admin, where www.yourdomain.com is the domain for your WHMCS installation.
  9. Delete the /modules/livehelp/install/ directory.

Integration Outside of WHMCS

Do Not Attempt to add this code to WHMCS templates. Those templates handle it automatically.

To integrate visitor tracking and live help in pages outside of your WHMCS installation (for example, your main website), perform the steps below:

  1. Add the following lines to each page, once per page, after the <title> tag and jQuery call and before the </head> tag:
    <script type="text/javascript">
    <!--
    var Chatstack = { server: 'www.example.com/support/modules' };
    (function(d, undefined) {
      // JavaScript
      Chatstack.e = []; Chatstack.ready = function (c) { Chatstack.e.push(c); }
      var b = d.createElement('script'); b.type = 'text/javascript'; b.async = true;
      b.src = ('https:' == d.location.protocol ? 'https://' : 'http://') + Chatstack.server + '/livehelp/scripts/js.min.js';
      var s = d.getElementsByTagName('script')[0];
      s.parentNode.insertBefore(b, s);
    })(document);
    -->
    </script>
    Make certain to updatewww.example.com/support/modules with the path to your WHMCS installation's modules directory.
  2. Optionally, you can either or both of these chat initiation methods:
    1. To display the Live Chat Operator status and end user chat initiation button:
      <a href="#" class="LiveHelpButton"><img src="http://www.example.com/whmcs/modules/livehelp/status.php" id="LiveHelpStatus" name="LiveHelpStatus" class="LiveHelpStatus" border="0" alt="Live Help" /></a>
    2. To display a static text link for chat initiation:
       <a href="#" class="LiveHelpButton">Chat With Us Live</a>

Web Admin Interface

You can access the Live Help administration interface at http://www.yourdomain.com/whmcs/modules/livehelp/admin/, where http://www.yourdomain.com is the domain for your WHMCS installation.

Desktop Applications

Downloadable clients are available for Windows®, Mac®, and Linux®.

Mobile Apps are also available for iPhone® and Android™.

In most cases, these apps are available through the standard app stores for these devices. The Windows app is available via the download link below.

Windows

Requirements

The Windows app has the following minimum requirements:

  • Windows 7 / Vista / XP SP 2
  • Internet Explorer 7 or above
  • .NET Framework 3.5 SP1 or above - Download
  • Internet Connection

Installation

[Download the latest version of the Windows desktop application] and follow the automated installation process.

First Use

The first time that you use this, a login prompt will display. Enter your account, username and password:

  • Account or Server: Enter the full path to the modules directory for your WHMCS installation.
  • Username / Password: Enter the same username and password that you use to log in to the WHMCS Admin Area.
  • Enable Secure Sign In: Enable this if your WHMCS installation uses SSL.
  • Sign In Automatically: Enable this to sign in automatically for future logins. If you enable this, in the future on this device you will only need to enter your password.

For more information, see [the ChatStack website].

Uninstallation

To remove the Live Chat Addon from your installation, delete the /modules/livehelp/ directory and the /includes/hooks/livehelp.php file.

Optionally, you can also remove the database tables that begin with mod_livehelp.

Common Troubleshooting Tips

Chat button non-functional / Blank live chat window

If clicking the chat button results in nothing happening or the live chat popup window is showing a blank chat window, make certain that the /modules/livehelp/templates_c/ directory both exists and is writeable.

We recommend that you try the following permissions in this order: 755, 775, and 777.

The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.

This message may appear when you click Chat Now. This indicates that the system cannot create the templates cache.

To resolve this, make certain that the /modules/livehelp/templates_c/ directory exists and is writeable.

We recommend that you try the following permissions in this order: 755, 775, and 777.

License Invalid / Unable to login

If you see a "License Invalid" warning message when you open the Live Chat admin interface, your WHMCS installation has not yet updated to recognise your purchase of the addon. Your WHMCS installation only calls home to validate your license with us periodically. If you recently purchased the addon, you may need to force a local key update to have it take effect.

To do this, navigate to Help > License Information and click Force License Update. Then, attempt logging in again.

Connection Error

Connection errors when attempting to log in to the Live Chat administration area are typically due to misconfigured file and folder permissions.

This configuration varies depending on your particular server environment. For example, the permissions setting for the /modules/livehelp/xml/WebService.php file should be 644.

  • suPHP and PHP suEXEC require more restriction. If you use DSO as your PHP handler, you must use 644 permissions.
  • Limit access to only the account that owns the web server process. Make sure that no other system or user accounts can read your configuration file or modify any WHMCS-related files.

If the issue persists, enable your browser network console and examine the response for more information.

Incorrect Server/Host

Receiving this error message in one of the Desktop or Mobile clients indicates that the Live Help installation cannot be found at the given URL. Make certain that you entered the correct URL.