[Debate] Using Chatrooms On Your ProBoard

[Jackal]

To me and a lot of the sites I'm on, which are mainly roleplay sites, we don't ever use the chat box for actualy roleplaying; rather, we use it as a way just to talk and chat, for short messages and to recieve quick answers. Important posts and stuff is always posted in an actual thread, because it won't be deleted or 'written over' like posts are in the chat boxes.

Now I realize that I'm talking about chat boxes, which I think are different than the add on chat rooms that proboards have: I don't use the chat rooms, because, if one thing, it's rather incoveniant. Chat boxes can be added to the global headers/ footers, and you can access them from any page on the site. Chat rooms, as far as I know, at least, are on one page and in order to access it, you'd have to either keep returning or have an extra page open for it specifically.

So now that I've cleared up what kind of chat I prefer, I don't really think that the chat overall makes a forum any less active. Like I'd said above, many of the posts /have/ to be made on a 'stable thread', meaning they'd have to be posted in the forum, not in a chat box. Thus, in my opinion for roleplay forums at least, it wouldn't diminish the activity at all; rather, guests sometimes jump into a chat box and ask about the site, recieving immediate replies, and then may decide to join.

[XJ-0]

I use our chat room to resolve issues quickly or if I want a steady conversation.
Our chat is also in a board that guests cannot access.

To me chat rooms are convenient if you want an immediate answer.

[AH! APRIL!]

The live chats are helpful.
On my site we use it as a bases of how we play a game [part of the rp]
Our cbox is always active and helps my members keep in contact with everyone.
Adversing is a problem, but honestly, there is very little you can do when someone really wants to be annoying.
I find sites boring, and less personal if you dont have 'outside' conversation with members.

[hcfwesker]

I'm not into the live chat box. i haven't included it on mine. It seems it would draw attention away from activity in the Board. there are plenty of chat substitutes for members to use; rather than let it take up space and member's activity.

I have created a "Special Board" where member's can spam, chat, and do whatever ... it becomes available to them after they've reached 100 post. I don't tell anyone about it, so they don't rush posts to get there. those that are oin it were suprised when it came up, they worked hard to get there, so they keep it a secret for the next member to see for themselves when they reach 100 posts.

[Desdemona Dreadful]

I don't think I'll be using a chatbox on my board. I'm just not sure it's a good idea. I stopped using Yahoo IM on Yahoo because it became difficult to role play. I think it interferes with plots. I'm not sure how but discussing something and actually seeing it happen is hard with an IM or chatbox.

[fantasmic]

Well, I prefer c-boxes to chatrooms, but the basic concept is sort of the same. I know, people will grrr at me. But the basic idea is that both offer the opportunity to have a live chat with fellow members, instead of posting in a forum thread.

I'd say that, for the most part, I don't mind them. Okay, actual chatrooms annoy the hell out of me because they take much, much longer to load than c-boxes, but aside from that element, they're not so bad. I personally get really annoyed when people post threads saying "Hey. What's up?" They don't wanna direct it towards only one person, but at the same time that thread has absolutely no point. There's no game involved. There's no topic to respond to. And there's nothing to plot or conspire (as a role player, yes that is a normal element for me :] ). They're just a waste of space, and I think they make the board look obnoxious. Sure, boost the activity. But I'd rather quality over quantity. For those sorts of conversations and situations, I'd rather people use a chatroom function. That way it's not so darn hard to find a purposeful thread in the general section, when you want to respond to a game or something like that.

[condottiero]

Eh, I dunno about how harmful they really are. Most conversation in cboxes isn't the highest quality and you might not want it on your forum. On the other hand, that is what general boards are for.

In any case, in a rp forum it doesn't make much difference. Cboxes there are good for keeping in touch and planning rps. In my experience, members who want pbp roleplay are going to post anyway, so a cbox is not harmful. And if they wanted chatroom rp, would they be on a pbp site? Doubtfully.

I don't feel as drawn to sites that are cboxless since I feel like I never really get to know the members of the community. With a cbox you get to know people much more closely, I think.

On the other hand, on my site, if people start spamming, advertising, or posting innappropriate stuff in the cbox I'm getting rid of it. That damages the reputation of the forum and I won't hold for it, period. So far I've had no problems with that. On the other hand, I have all of 5 people on my site so...lol ^_^ Someday it may be a problem, and if it is I will address it then.

So...basically what Jackal already said. Lol. I agree with him wholeheartedly though.

[redbird8]

i dont like them i have seen them kill(make it so no one came on)a proboard
so deleted mine today. but on the other hand i have seen them used as marketinf tools,and make sites thrive.but i still think think that they are a bad idea.and dont get me started with chat rooms!!!!!!!
ps it is more then 4 sentences long now

[Jordan]

Jan 12, 2009 9:36:47 GMT -8 redbird8 said:

i dont like them i have seen them kill(make it so no one came on)a proboard
so deleted mine today

"Your posts should be at least 4 sentences long. Anything less shows that not enough thought was taken in the post, and is most likely not productive towards the conversation." - Rules

Same rules applies to other threads in the board as well.

[smexie]

I, personally, don't like the interactive chatrooms that boards have on them, I much prefer C-boxes/shout boxes. Chatboxes only really work if everyone's on fairly similar timezones (so me being in England while my members are in America doesn't help) and everyone's willing to talk. They often get confusing, with peoples posts being 'written over' as people talk.

C-boxes/shout boxes, on the other hand, seem slightly more personal to me. You don't have to be on the same timezone as someone to get a message, you can greet guests that may be lurking and persuade them to join, and you can still use it as a chatroom.