The Chat Box/Shout Box/TagBoard

[Enchant]

I got this idea from a rate I read by one of you members and thought it would be a good topic of discussion.

You see them on many forums on top or down below the boards. You see them in the boards or on a page by them selves.You see them everywhere and a good population of members use them. I am talking about Chat Box/ Shout Box/TagBoard . I know there are those who feel that the members should be interacting on the boards, and if they are on the chatbox, then what is the point of the forum.

The question is, Do you think that Chat Box/ Shout Box/TagBoard take away from the activity of a forum?


I personally have a chat box. I use it so that myself, members and onlookers can communicate free of stricter rules. I like the idea of guest being able to ask questions without the obligation of feeling like they HAVE TO join...I also like to goof around with the next person so it is cool to let guest see that we have fun and perhaps encourage them to be interested in joining. I have more pros then cons for my forum personally...but I know that there are those who oppose them.

What are your thoughts and experiences?

[¿J-pop?]

Hmm a Chat box..Do you mean like a shoutbox, or something of that manner?

No I don't believe it takes away activity at all. If people are using the shoutbox/chatbox it is most likely that they are using the forum as well.

A chatbox, is a fun way to communicate with people on the forum on a semi-live (manual-refreshing) level. That way they can browse the forum, while they wait for people to respond.

Even automatted chatboxes are fun, but I don't believe there is a box like that on these kinds of forums.

[charlie]

Some benefits...
- As you said piff, its an environment that isnt quite as strict on most boards that can be used for fun.
- It provides guests with a way of talking and getting to know registered members before joining.
- There are often chat box administrative tools to help you keep a check on members and the conversations that go on.

Some downsides...
- On some forums, it can demote the general presentation.
- There may be members (or guests) that disobey the rules, using the fun environment as an excuse to do so.
- It is a chance for guests to spam with ease.
- Activity can be a problem, distracting members, dragging them away from the boards.

As far as activity goes in general, I dont think its a major problem. At the end of the day, chat boxes are usually used for general talk - with no specific subject or topic attatched to the coversations. In most cases, I wouldnt say they posed much of a thread to board activity. I, personally, do not use them, though I have nothing against them on other forums.

However, I used one on a forum a while back. There were a few rule-breakers that lost their heads over it, and one member that I remember who simply pasted everything he posted in boards, into the chat. But a simple talk set him straight.

Chaz

[Misha]

I love chat boxes. I have one for my forum and all my members use them to say hey and just joke around. I also use it to kinda remind members contests are closing or to say some stuff that has no importance on a regular thread. It's a fun thing to be just random on and show guests that the site is friendly, and you can have fun on it.

[Gamoc]

Well here are the pros and cons that I have about chat boxes and shout boxes(never heard of a tag board).

Pros

• Members who lose their password can request that they need it changed
  
• Guests can ask questions
  
• Members can request for something small to happen with little effort
  
• People can just have fun
  
• They do improve the activity of the forum
  
• People can post their opinions on the board without joining, things like "It's good, but not my thing" and "Wow, I think I might join sometime"
  

Cons

• people can spam it to death
  
• people can be disgusting
  
• people advertise their board
  

So, I can think of more pros than cons, so I totally agree on using chat/shout boxes.

I do recommend chat boxes or shout boxes, chat boxes immediately post the reply while shout boxes need to refresh the page to post it, but they are box great to have.

[kelendria]

I probably won't use mine, I've personally never liked chat rooms or shout boxes.
I can barely get enough people to post on my board let alone in a chat room.
Plus I can't be on my board 24/7 to check & I have no staff to help me.
Not saying it isn't fun or a good idea I just won't bother using it myself

[HoudiniDerek]

To me, they just clutter up a forum and allow your forum to possibly be overtaken by spam and by people who might be rule breakers. Plus, since most Chat Boxes are not automatic, people can log-in under a different name and you can't prove that it is not them. I think if you want to have a chat place, I think it should be similar to the PBS one...or one where you have an AUTOMATIC log-in. That way people cannot be masquerading as others AND you can control the spam and advertisements a little easier.

I think it can be useful to get guests a sense of community, but if you have your forum open so they can SEE that, they will know it anyway.

[Minn~]

I think Chatboxes are really a good form of communication..

I always use mine to say Hi and goodnight..
I go onto my forums most days and everyone knows I stay logged on but If I say hi on the chatbox they actually know I am here and active

I also think they are good for banned members to perhaps make an appeal or an apology for misdemeanors
however the downside maybe you have deleted a nuisance member and then they can start to harass other members or be a nuisance ...But....
I think overall they are a good thing

I mean you can try one out if it works then you have lost nothing....

[♠ Zaid ♠]

Many members (myself included) can't always see cBoxes. I can see Shoutboxes, though ;D

[GEO]

They do take away activity. A message board is meant to spark conversations. If you have a chat box, then why sign up for the message board to post in the first place? Have a question? Why post? Just ask in the chat box.

On my forum, I only use it for discussions on particular sporting events where I know a thread will just be spammed with one word replies.

[Bones]

I use them, but i always keep them as pop-up ones or linked, never on the board as it looks like clutter. Myself, i've been making ProBoards for 5 years, and the shout-out/saybox/c-box's I've had, they have never taken away activity - never. Mainly as noone talks about the theme on them, it's just idol chatter - hellos and goodbye's asking who each other is etc.

[Seppuku]

When I used a chatbox on my old forum, it was to quickly talk to moderators, and ask for opinions on changes. it was more immediate then making a thread that could easily be skipped.
I think the chat room was a great addition to proboards, and will help me in future forums

[Thing-Thing]

When I put one on my forum, it got over-spammed by guests, and it actually scared away some of the members On a large forum, it could also become a bummer, because you can't keep it personal. Also, the thing about requestng your password or appealing a ban can be a little hard, if you put a fake email or something. Nah, PMs are the PWNZ0RZ, as you can keep it personal, and it's easier to have a instant messenger in another window, so you don't have to break off your long RP posts or something

[libson]

i think they make the forum less proffessional.

[myke]

libson said:

i think they make the forum less proffessional.

Please re-read the rules of this board before making any replies.