[Fisher]

I am tempted to say down right, NO to a chat box.

For the following reasons:
- a Chat box can be quite impersonal, as it only involves one other person.
- It will draw people away from actually making posts.
- You wont be able to SEARCH that information.
- It wont be kept indefinitely.

I can definately see the advantage, but possibly not enough to implement.
If there is a high enough demand for it, I will see about adding it...

 

[MrWhite]

only vote, oh dear. when i messaged you, i'd meant a live chat box on the home page for all users.

 

[Fisher]

OOOH.
Like a Shoutbox rather?

 

[MrWhite]

...my bad.

 

[Fisher]

Hmmm, well I am not sure if I like the idea of a shoutbox.
I can see it becoming a place for people to post questions and stuff in.

And sure, it might get them their answer, but anything IN a shoutbox, would have to be deleted after x amount of time.
Wheras if they make a thread instead, at least then it is preserved, and can be read / searched later on.

Threads can also be found on Google by non-members, thus drawing new members in. THis is how I found the site.

All in all, it draws people away from posting.

What I propse, instead, is perhaps an IM. Like Facebook chat. Real time, PMs.

 

[L-J-P]

On other forum I am on they have a shout box and seem to go down well!

 

[Fisher]

Okay, I will see what I can do!

 

[D-Drz]

Im sure you can do something like making sure someone is registered before there allowed to post in the chat?

 

[Fisher]

That isn't the issue, it is more the fact that I wouldn't want people to solely post in the shout box.

I can see it becoming a case, that everyone will just ask questions in there.
Get there answer, and then in a week or two that answer will be lost.

Also, stuff that is posted in threads can be indexed by googles bots, which makes the site easier to find on Google and ultimately driving more traffic our way.
I will add the Shout Box, as it is what people want, but I am scepticle. I guess we can see how it goes

(If I get it working that is...)

 

[D-Drz]

well limit it to a few words for litterally a shout out? lol or just not have it? im sure people can do without it

 

[Fisher]

We can see how it goes

 

[Fisher]

DONE.
The 'Shout Box' is now accessible from the navigation bar.