Chat - A Different Approach

[anthony]

Members only, will now see the new chat approach. This gives quick, easy, mobile + desktop chat access to everyone without complication.

All members can view and post within the chat. Simple, easy, nothing complicated.

Premium Members can edit / delete their own chat messages, prune (done by typing the command /prune into the chat box) the chatbox to remove all messages (clearing their history) as well as setting the Message Of The Day (MOTD) at the top of the box as they see fit, by any premium member... just click it and wait for box to appear, then enter message. It will accept bbcode in MOTD.

Simple, short version of the box on the forum home, with a tab to full view OR you can activate popup view from the tab dropdown so you have it constantly running off to the side.

Trying to find the simplest, smoothest, most convenient option that balances cost versus getting users using the chat.

It will show the last 50 messages in the full view (tab) and last 25 in short view (forum home), unless a premium member prunes it at their discretion.

If want to prune your chat history, then become a premium member, basically.

People just aren't using the AV system, so it is having a rest and I will trial something simpler, cheaper and less resource intensive to see whether gauge member interactivity... because it sucked with the AV system.

 

[anthony]

Oh... and yes, it's all archived for admin viewing to check issues if they arise.

 

[Nicolette]

I've read some of the recent comments on Chat. It's disappointing for me knowing how much time and energy Anthony spends developing and implementing features which members scream for but, after the initial novelty, don't use. Let alone the costs involved.

Versions of chat have come and gone, site mail was implemented and hardly use.

It would be nice to read members being appreciative of what we have, funded by those who donate, the staff who give their time & Anthony and myself filling in the holes.... Not commenting they can't 'whisper' (use PC if you want to have a private conversation) or that there is something else which they had and now miss. The last chat system cost a fortune and was rarely used in the end.

Be grateful for what you have when you have it as it seems that it is not until we lose things that some realise what they have lost. :(

 

[Meadowsweet]

Well if it makes you feel better, I recognise there is the technological generation who know everything about the latest app, chat and whatever else the latest thing is. And the way that technology changes these days, it seems perfectly acceptable to diss or approve the latest gadgetry. So it might just be age relevant discussion about whats in and whats not?

But I'm old and have issues with social situations. But the occasional organised chat thing, I've quite enjoyed. However, I would never venture into chat any other time, because I don't know who's going to be there , and I'm not comfortable walking into a room (virtual or not) and finding no one I recognise.

So I've looked at this chat thing on top of the forums, and thought, you know, if I saw a name I felt safe with, or a conversation that I felt comfortable with, then I might give chat a go. In the old format, I would never do that without an organized event in which I knew who was going to be there.

As an aside though - I know I'm old and unsociable and don't fit in with a 'majority', so I accept that my payments go towards things that I will never use. But that what i pay for attracts a wider number of people to the site, and all contribute in their own way. I contribute financially, but don't join in much. Others contribute by talking on the forums or in chat.

 

[Nicolette]

Donations go to the server costs...the cost of keeping the forum running.

My main point is some members want functions, we implement them, they get excited, use them then a majority don't continue to use - then react with disappointment when it is gone.

 

[Meadowsweet]

I've worked in service industry, and it's easy to get jaded.

There is always going to be the 'some', but there is a lot of really good people here who have a lot going on and do a great job as being core members that keep the site active, or help pay.

In my post, I was trying to give the appreciation you were looking for. I'm rubbish at contributing, but I pay and appreciate in that way.

 

[Nicolette]

Thank you :)

I really, obviously badly, tried to express that its disheartening for me to see the complaints about functionality yet some weren't actively using the resource in the first instance.

 

[Whitneys story]

I have not tried it yet, but it appears on my IPhone and am assuming it will function! If something is not going
to work it will be when I try ;) I never take it personal! Looks like fun but the conversation is rather odd, JMHO and yes I am old as well.

Some are ungrateful, graveling, no matter what one does! How does one converse with the lingo there using? :alien:

 

[anthony]

Already I see more people chit chatting with others in the basic, in your face version I did yesterday. I watched the stats on other one, and they were disappointing to say the least. They weren't being used. Many would go in, see nobody, leave. In an entire month there were no more than 5 actual chat conversations that went on for any length of time. The cost versus use was not there.

When something isn't used, then the simple fact is that its outlived its purpose. Resources can be better used via performance in reading and posting on the site, instead of something that is sucking resources to do nothing. This is exactly why I'm making changes... because members get what they want, then don't use it. So now I'm giving members much simpler things, putting them in their face, and maybe... just maybe, they may use them more. If not... the same outcome will occur.[DOUBLEPOST=1375237527][/DOUBLEPOST]Ask questions... that's what I do.

 

[Tanishq]

Anthony, not sure how to tell this. Chat smileys are same like we use during posting on forums. Thought to let everyone know. :D

 

[Lady of Longbourn]

Chat smileys are same like we use during posting on forums

Yup. I would think if you know most of the keystrokes for the smiley then you can use it. Not sure if that is always true but it is for the more basic ones examples... :) :D. :P

 

[Whitneys story]

(:-{~ I am testing as I don't show emoticons due to IPhone.

Edit that is suppose to be a bearded guy! Nope