             # done -- no need to render anything.
             return
 
-        # Clear the chat message area
+        # The chat message area
         chat_output = @element.find(".salvus-editor-codemirror-chat-output")
-        chat_output.empty()
 
         messages = messages.split('\n')
 

                if err
                    console.log("Error getting user namees -- ", err)
                else

                    # Send each message to the correct handler
                    last_mesg = undefined
                    for mesg in all_messages



        @project_id = @opts.project_id   # must also be set by derived classes that don't call this constructor!
        @filename   = @opts.filename
        #@connect = @_connect
        @connect = misc.retry_until_success_wrapper
            f         : @_connect
