Add MOTD support to custom chat channels

[Erth Paradine]

Request/Goal:
Facilitate non-intrusive in-game function to consistently and expediently communicate with all players, accessible to both players and admins.

Currently:

• Server MOTD feature requires someone with administrative access to the server itself, a server restart to effect changes, and is only visible via an easily overlooked popup window shown at the time of login only.
  
• Players cannot view/reference existing MOTD information after closing the popup window.
• Players can utilize display screens, but this requires their audience to visit a specific location somewhere in space.
• Admins can currently combine StarNet and crontab (on linux or MacOS servers), to somewhat automate regular spamming of #general. Although repeated messages annoys users, and therefore the necessary once an hour broadcast timing doesn't usually deliver necessary messages soon enough.

Result of proposed:

• All players would have the ability to customize their own chat channel's MOTD, a message visible to anyone joining that channel, at any time.
  
• Admins would have this same function on permeant channels, but MOTD information could be broken-out into task/role specific topics, as relevant to the channel (e.g. RolePlay, Markets, Trade, Builds, Pirating, Diplomacy, etc).
• Channel moderators should also be able to edit this information.

Suggested Method:

• Using a channel's existing "manage" button, add "MOTD" to the existing BANS/MUTES/PW/IGNORED list.
• Within the "MOTD" option, provide a 512 character text box that can support similar information as displays (e.g. text, in addition to style & color tags).
• MOTD should only appear for each player once; upon opening on the relevant chat channel.
• Permit the channel creator, moderators, and administrators to view/edit MOTD details.

Rationale:

• It is difficult to communicate with all players, consistently, and expediently, in-game. We supplement this gap with forum broadcasts, spamming #general, MOTD announcements via mumble (voice chat), and general player/player chatter (which is often vulnerable to Chinese whispers). None of the communication supplements catch everyone. While EVERYONE sees chat channels.
• In-game email is unreliable and clumsy; players have learned NOT depend upon this now basically ignored function. Even if functional, spamming all user mailboxes with frequent announcements would basically be just a "lighter" version of existing StarNet/crontab processes that spam #general.

Alternative Approach:
Facilitate a means for the /chat command to broadcast only into specific chat channels, for instance:
/chat general "stop arguing, you dolts"
/chat pvp "Kill derp kill!"
/chat "admin support" "A shoulder to cry on."

While this would not help the general player edit/share akin to how a per-channel MOTD function would, admins could at least have a function to specify the target of a chat broadcast. With that function, Admins could use third-party, web-based, or other out-of-game functions that enable players to provide broadcast content. Although honestly, this is a pretty hackish and insufficient alternative option for general communications. Although targeted broadcasts would be a useful feature for those seeking to implement a market channel that supports automated market broadcasts.