Chat Room and / or ShoutBox???

[Jersey Devil]

What do you guys think about adding a live, real-time chat or shoutbox to the site????

[m14brian]

I've only used it once before, it's good if several people want to talk but I didn't find it really useful, but some other guys might like it.
It may be good for some things like if something is going on that's important, it is faster than PMing.
m14brian

[Jersey Devil]

Please let me know what you guys think about the ShoutBox that I just installed here on the forum.

[m14brian]

Please let me know what you guys think about the ShoutBox that I just installed here on the forum.

Several of us have been using it, I don't know if you've been reading them, I think it's cool here, no screwing around with having to go to PMs, it is much quicker.
m14bran

[Jersey Devil]

Yes, I've been reading the exchanges.....always entertaining of course!

As an FYI, if you register for an account with them you will not have to manually type your name into the "name" field every time you send a message.

[Jersey Devil]

I'm really surprised the chat box isn't being used more. Maybe a blessing in disguise, but I'm thinking about removing it.

The floor is open for public comment on the subject. Anyone have any thoughts?

Does anyone care if it goes away??

Please chime in and speak up either way!!!

b1

[m14brian]

It's a quick way for us to communicate regarding anything non sensitive, I could go either way but it is convenient, but it may not be worth the cost. Maybe give it a few more months of thought and if it's not doing you or the group anything special then it might be time to go.

[USSF06]

I like it, and I think it is unique. The usage may pick up as more members come along. The only downfall I foresee is that it can stop people from making threads/posts. For example, instead of using the introduction section, I can see people using the chatbox instead. Nothing wrong with that though! tu1>

I think as the community grows it'll be utilized more and more. If it is costing a lot of extra money, then perhaps removing it for a little while would ease things up until the crowd grows larger.

Just my .02 cents.

[Jersey Devil]

Interesting. Thanks for your input, guys.

The problem with the chat box as it is right now is that it's actually an independent feature of the forum. For those of you that use it, which is like five people at most, you know that you need to sign in, and out, of it. Some folks, like me, stay signed in. The cost is minimal, like $6.00 a month, but it's a cost all the same. I pay a lot more than that for the forum and the webdesign, so it's no real big deal for now.

[m14brian]

It is cool for updates, I always read it.
m14brian

[Jersey Devil]

A few members are reporting Ads popping up still. This is most definitely related to the chat box. I think its days are numbered.

[m14brian]

Yes, I'm still getting that quiz pop up. it won't go away unless you "X" it, then it refreshes the screen when you do. I kinda like the chat box, but that pop up is annoying.
m14brian

[Jersey Devil]

The pop-up is directly linked to the chat box. Also, only you, Phil, and me use the damn thing. Once the sponsor ads start being sized and placed I'm going to remove it. That will allow the forums to stretch a little more to the right and not be so scrunched up for those that have smaller screens. I've also been advised that as the forum grows the chat box becomes somewhat of a PITA due to unruly users.

[Jersey Devil]

It's now gone. Sorry.

While it was a neat feature there were just too many ads popping up. Nothing annoys me more than pop ups. I'm not going to run a site that has pop ups.

If anyone still has pop ups after about 24 hours from the date / time stamp of this post please notify me immediately.

Thanks.
--Brian

[m14brian]

I think you are right about the very last part in your previous post anyway, eventually unruly users can start fights in those chatboxes easily.
m14brian