The Chat Box/Shout Box/TagBoard

[MCS]

Mar 7, 2007 14:46:19 GMT -8 Enchant said:

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

Such boxes are generally for short messages and have no specific topic. If the boards/threads (topics)/posts contain interesting and stimulating information and exchanges the detraction should be minimal. The fostering of good active participation lies more in the ability of the staff and members of the forum to keep it interesting. Doesn't hurt to make things fun as well.

[cisleader]

Mar 7, 2007 14:46:19 GMT -8 Enchant said:

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

As I said in another thread, in most cases, yes. The Chat/Shout Box is most likely the target of taking over a forum, mainly because members are impatient, and don't wanna wait for others to post.

Admins always make the mistake of getting a Chat/Shout Box for their active forum, but then within a few days/weeks, the forum activity dies and the activity in the Shout/Chat box increase.

[, b e x ']

I don't think chat boxes where members talk to each other can take away activity...I mean, it's mainly small talk, no big discussions and stuff..

Now, there's a kind of chat box that definitely takes away activity, if you ask me. The in-character chat boxes on rp boards. Especially if people actually roleplay in them. It totally kills the real roleplaying..like, in threads.

[Pandora]

Well here are my pros and cons which i have experienced in the last 2 and a half weeks whilst my board has been up...

Pros

• New members/members can ask questions about the site and the system
  
• Guests can ask questions about the site and their app
  
• Members can request things to improve the board
  
• People can just goof around whilst they are waiting for the next post
  
• They do improve the activity of the forum, alot!
  

Cons

• People insult others, even though ther are not supposed to
  
• Most people don't follow the rules presented
  
• People love to spam and advertise their board and post how they hate the site and this and that, upsetting not just me but the members, and that also scares away incomming guests onto the board...
  

I do recommend c-boxes (chat boxes) on sites, but i want to say... THANK YOU!! To the person who ever thought about C-Box Mods to contain order on the c-boxes... but they are box great to have!

[Gylfie107]

I like to use chatboxes on my forums, but I use codes to make them unavailable to guests. I have a tendency to make quick enemies with people who spam, and so they keep doing it, therefore, I just say "No Guests".

My answer, though, is no. I do not think chat boxes take away from forum activity. In my experiance RPing, they are great. When I wait for someone to post, I can talk to other people on there. Chat Boxes are great for forums, and people get to know eachother more.

[goluckygirl]

I want to add one but i don't know how to do so can some one help me?

[🎶Sossity🎶]

Dec 10, 2009 10:38:41 GMT -8 goluckygirl said:

I want to add one but i don't know how to do so can some one help me?

Hi

Please post all support queries, on the support board:

support.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=support&page=1

Include your board's url in your the thread, there.

[Bunny]

I've always had a chatbox. The people on my site are a community, a close-knit little family. However, it's become the main focus of my site, rather than the roleplaying. We have a lot of laughs and it's fun, but it's hard to not wonder how active the actual site would be if we didn't have one.

[rawr.n.hoot]

Mar 7, 2007 14:46:19 GMT -8 Enchant said:

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?

I have a C-Box a well.

I find it is great to easily communicate to both guests and other members. It is a quick and helpful way of letting others know if you are busy and will not be able to reply for a certain amount of time.

However, I also don't like them on some level.

I dislike the fact that anybody can easily say rude things on the C-Box and you can also pose as another member.

[Descent Into Darkness]

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

Ah the Chat Box. Well, I promise to behave and stick with decorum here although I really don't have anything positive to say about them at all. Being a member of several sites (one former since it closed down) which all have them, I have seen far too many times where things get way out of hand. Guests coming in to spam the site, coming in to insult and harass a member just because they feel that they can. And topics that seem to come up that are inappropriate tend to happen as well.

The site that closed a few months back had a huge problem with the members causing far too much trouble in the chat box. Getting onto topics of discussion that insulted others, or made them nervous, upset them in some way and managed to drive off members in droves. Yes, the chat box was paid for so there was that all powerful ban button, but you can't sit there banning people all sday long, nor can they be monitored 24/7. Even checking back logs can only go so far and by the time you find out what happened in those wee hours that you as an Admin were sleeping, it's far too late and you've lost members.

But yes, they do detract from the site itself. members will spend all of their time sitting around and chatting, claiming that they are bored when other members are asking for someone to RP with, or asking a certain person that they are in an RP with to post and all they get in response is "I'll get to it in a bit" then they never do. Some sites I've seen with both an OOC and an IC chat box where the characters can interact outside of the plot line and the room so to speak. Well then what is the point of having a board if no one is going to post on it and instead RPs MAINLY in that Chat Box?

If a site is guest friendly and they have a board set up for general questions about rules, etc, then there really isn't a need for a chat box. And many Admins and Mods have their IMs readily available for a guest or member to message them and speak with them about things. People tend to get too personal in a chat box, tend to bring their problems in with them and honestly, no one wants to see or hear about them.

And FYI, I've seen many sites without a chat box and the activity is and membership is very high. I suppose that in the end it's preferred choice on whether you have or want one on your site.

[``Megara Spice]

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

My answer for this is simple: No. A CB/SB/TB is simply a means of communication so that members can talk OOC (on RP boards) and generally get to know someone who they are RPing with. I find it a useful tool for guests to who would like to ask the admin or some of the members a quick question as they check out the boards and the site itself.

On Coding/General forums, however, my opinions change. the boards on these forums are designed for general chatting and, as such, the boards should be used and there is really no need for a CB on the site.

When it comes to personal messages, however, I have always encouraged my members to chat via PM, it solves problems without getting the rest of the forum involved.

[TELSA !?]

I think that CB's do not take away from the activity. I find that they add to it. It's an easy way for guests and members to communicate. It helps too when wanting to ask simple questions rather than have to PM members or administration. The CB allows other members to interact with each other and I feel create more activity because you come back to interact with that person and possibly their character as well.

[CHRIS-aka-CharvelBoy101]

Does anyone know how to add a welcome message at the top of your cbox? I've seen people's cboxs say "Welcoem to -site-, please register with your -site- display name" how did they do that?

EDIT: By the way; I do have premium cbox.

[odesk1st]

For me a chatbox is good in some ways.

one advantage is the conversation is somehow realtime.

the disadvantage is, it eats a lot of bandwidth. ;D

[Former Member]

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

I think they allow for members to converse more, and have an actual conversation. Since when you are waiting on someone else to post something in reply you can always chat with other online members and get to know people. I think it is beneficiary to a site to have one because it allows the members to get to know each other and be able to talk in a less formal manner.