there are two modyfied versions of isb available:
beriMod - color history, and other futures, working fine
ajaxISB - a lot of changes, but working only on linux(server) and firefox(client), but U should check it
both versions available in CVS and in Download area
After a long time ISBv2 spec is available, U can find it on http://home.wi.ps.pl/~mpapis/isb2/, it would be great if there will be some coments ;)
in this release more interactive - corrected InternetExplorer behavior
http://prdownloads.sourceforge.net/interactivesb/Interactive_ShoutBox_v0.91.zip?download
added script showing how to use on phpBB forums
http://prdownloads.sourceforge.net/interactivesb/phpBB_mod_by_Przemo.txt?download
there is a concept to add AJAX interface for bether look and performence of the Shoutbox, if AJAX is for You somthing new check: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AJAX
We search for few peopel who are well known in php, thear are few ideas witch could be done, but leak of knowlage stops us from dooing it.