Chat function Pole

[Steven Vaccaro]

Im thinking about adding a chat feature to the forum. Im looking to get input on how much you guys would be interested?

[jim82]

I think that would be cool

[JimClark]

Not sure how much I would use it

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[NativePaul]

IMO forums are a big chat room organised into different sections with easily seen topics, those chats are recorded for future reference and searchable. I don't know how adding another chat room without a defined topic would help.

Chat functions are generally unrecorded and not searchable so if someone shares info or a tip there it is gone in minutes only reaching those that were watching the chat at the time whereas info shared on the forum will be seem by most regular users on their next visit, and can be found on both OSE and google searches, and used for years to come. For this reason I believe it would be detrimental to the forum, and as it is the biggest English language FE resource, detrimental to FE as a whole.

While I am against it, undoubtedly some will use it, and if I saw something very interesting come up. Unfortunately I know myself well enough to admit that I would probably be to lazy to make a new thread and copy the informative discussion onto the forum, I'd just add my 2 pennies worth to the chat. So I voted that "I may or may not use it".

[bob horowitz]

Paul makes some real good points, some I didn't even think or know of. I know on other sites I don't make use of chats.
Bob

[fweasel]

I use forums on a regular basis for all sorts of things. I have never used the chat function in any of them. Can't say it would even matter if it were added here. Those that would like to use it, will.

[Lone-Wolf]

I think it would be neat for those times that you are bored and check in here and notice a little conversation going but yeah you guys make some valid points about losing out on valuable tips etc... Another way to look at this is; I'm not a huge poster here but I share alot of info with friends in the industry through email...long emails TBH and none of that will ever be documented for anyone to learn from...yeah that is pretty sad now that I think of it! I tend to share what I know on these forums but when it comes to asking questions I usually go to email...maybe I should change that and swallow my pride ;-)

[revoltrunner]

Im thinking about adding a chat feature to the forum. Im looking to get input on how much you guys would be interested?

I have been on forums that had a live chat
feature. it seems to cut down on the threadcrapping.