Chat Box

[USMCGunner]

Some of the other hobby forums that I belong to have a Chat Box on the home page. Signed in members are able to chat and BS without actually having to start a thread. It has it's pros and cons. Pro: relieves thread traffic and many of the simple, repeat questions end up being asked there. Con: some topics that might warrant a thread may or may not get started. Either way, it's a niffty little tool for the site.

[zephyp]

Might be a good idea if you could capture the chat and copy it off to a thread mid stream or later. Nice to have a record of what you said 5 minutes ago.

[allingeneral]

I've thought about it. I may try it out sometime in the future. One of the biggest shortcomings in my opinion is that it could detract from the text that's saved in forum posts, which is what google and other search engines use to find us.

[USMCGunner]

agree to both posts. you can copy right out of the box and post up a new thread. although the chat box cycles to a maximum number of posts, admins can access a record and do with what they want. (depends on the version you get) I don't know if you have any moderators helping you, but they're a good source for that help.

[Username]

I put one of them on my old forum, which was same as this, phpBB. My members loved it, it eliminated a lot of the "spam" in threads.

[zephyp]

Rick - one of the reasons I made the comment about being able to copy off to a thread. If we could do that then mods would watch and save conversations...

[GS78]

I suspect some of the members would leave if and when you initiate a "chat", one of the things I like about this forum is it has no "chat" room feeling. I would leave, I hate chat......but I'm an assh*le sometimes so maybe its just me......

[Username]

I'd venture to say it's really not critical to this site, and I like it as-is, however as the site grows I think it's something to keep on the back burner.

Something else to consider is it's not a obtrusive chat, it's very optional so GS you could easily ignore it as many would and go on posting.

[zephyp]

I suspect some of the members would leave if and when you initiate a "chat", one of the things I like about this forum is it has no "chat" room feeling. I would leave, I hate chat......but I'm an assh*le sometimes so maybe its just me......

sup! (~ugh~)

I dont care for them either. Its like being in a crowded room where everyone is talking all at one and you cant understand anything or get a word in edgewise. And, I dont care for some of the language.