Live Discussions on the Forum Chatbox

[Northern Line]

Hey guys, I had a thought that came up and may help with the usage of the forum chatbox. How about we have live discussions of anything that is relevant to the forum such as talk about our projects and people's views towards them or it can be off topic (whichever). I will also need to set a time for when the discussion begins and ends, more or less an hour long each day and based in the afternoon when everyones active. If you post below the times that you are online I can tally them and then work out what time we can have the discussion.

I felt to share this idea as a way to get this forum back off its feet and the only way to find out is by a poll vote (poll lasts for 5 days). Suggestions are also welcome if you feel you need to add a little something extra.

I Hope you like this idea (you don't have to) and maybe we will see more users joining.

Regards

NL =)

[Quork]

I don't like the idea for one reason: The board is for discussions. The chat ist for... well... chat. Idle talk. Chitchat. For this and that. But discussions on-topic should be led in the board, where they stay visible for years for anybody wishing to re-read it.

[graymac]

A novel attempt to boost the rating of an almost unused feature of the board.
I'm inclined to agree with Quork's point of view on this one.

[Northern Line]

Hmm ok well I guess the Chabox is hardly used but this idea was to make it lively. There's 3 days left of voting, when the poll closes the most votes win. I will mention to Derryck as well (assuming he is away)
and we'll see where this takes us.

Regards

NL

[Dexter]

I have already returned, Shaq.:-)

Anyway, I think it is a valid point that important things should be visible for anyone anytime, but I think an idea of having a meeting (let's say one a month or once per two months), where many members would connect and ask questions is not bad.

Anyway, we can make a copy of the conversation and place it somewhere visible...

[graymac]

We now have in excess of 500 members registered on this board. Some of them only post topics occasionally. Of the remainder who are more frequent users, there is only a miniscule number who use that chatbox.
This demonstrates that it is unpopular. It also means that if ideas and opinions are expressed there then they may be statistically unrepresentative of the membership as a whole.
As is the above poll, with only 18/500+ votes cast.

[Dexter]

Statistically speaking you're right, must be some kind of laziness or something, since there is not a single poll with 40+ votes. This leaves us to think people either don't have any opinion or are just too lazy to click a button.

[graymac]

Or, possibly more likely, the majority do not see it as important enough to bother expressing an opinion and would therefore statistically fall in the "No" category. If this is the case that tips the balance heavily towards a "No" result. So it's probably not worth taking up the idea.
As we know from some past threads, where there IS an opinion worth putting forward our members are quite ready to do so. I think the chatbox is effectively dead, it should be given a decent burial

[Quork]

A decent burial... *select* *Shift+Del* *Enter* *Alt+F4* <- Something like this?

[Northern Line]

Hmm maybe the Chatbox should go. Clearly this idea isn't getting anywhere Maybe a decent burial would be considerable but if one can accept one's idea about one thing , then maybe the other could return the same back.

Poll closed. The feedback doesnt seem to be positive despite the idea of making a good use of the chatbox. unless some good feedback is posted on why this is a good idea instead of a bad one I'd like to hear from you.

Regards
NL

[graymac]

Nobody can be totally sure if an idea is good or bad from the start. So no blame for posting the idea. The response in this case seems to show that the idea isn't in the "best-seller" category. So, at least it got an airing.

It got an airing because it was posted as a thread. The problem with the live chat is the very fact that it is only practical to partake in it on a very limited time scale. To participate you need to invest time tied to the screen, and it isn't always possible or convenient. Especially to get a meaningful group together within a reasonable time-slot. So the chatbox fails as a medium for serious group discussion. It can't help it, it's the nature of the beast and what it's designed for.

At the end of the day I don't care if it stays or goes, but it is clearly of little use so I don't see much hope or reason to keep it. The example here, where a useful purpose for it is being invented as an "innovation" rather than a "need" is further proof (if needed) that the poor critter needs to be humanely put down.

[Dexter]

@Graymac: We are not here to create bestsellers, we want to go against the mainstream.

Seriously though, the team will have a debate about the chatbox.

[graymac]

@Graymac: We are not here to create bestsellers, we want to go against the mainstream

We don't want "worst-sellers" either

Poor old chatbox has at least been talked about, even though it isn't being talked to. LOL Probably the most attention its had in the last six months.

[Dexter]

Well, I just chatted there.

[mrknowitall]

I agree with gray on this.

All we normally see is "hello" "anyone there?"

[graymac]

More like a bloody seance, then. Perhaps Derryck could add a ouija board and a gypsy fortune teller for a truly authentic supernatural BVE experience. ROFL

[mrknowitall]

Dont forget the 8 ball

[graymac]

:

[Dexter]

I agree with gray on this.
All we normally see is "hello" "anyone there?"

Exactly, and I have a feeling that is why Shaq wanted to crete organiyed sessions. Not to mention I think some users are quite grateful for the chatbox. It is quite a shame that you incline to taunts and mockery instead of helping to improve this place.

[mrknowitall]

I did more than most to get this place iff the ground and what it is today Derryck, so grow up and stop throwing low blows. Only reason i left the te because of your approach to things.

You need to stop thinking its just me with these thoughts. Instead, try look at other people on this forum, and what they want. Which is not the chatbox...

Deary me.

[Dexter]

I did more than most to get this place iff the ground and what it is today Derryck, so grow up and stop throwing low blows. Only reason i left the te because of your approach to things.

You need to stop thinking its just me with these thoughts. Instead, try look at other people on this forum, and what they want. Which is not the chatbox...

Deary me.

I never said you didn't; au contraire I said you were a good and valuable member of the team. But that's another story. I was talking about this concrete case only; the way you interpret it to yourself is up to you, of course. I think enough has been said, so the topic will now be locked.

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