suggestion - Chat fuction

[magichead]

Hello,

I'm sorry if this topic has come up before. Has anyone suggested a Chat function/feature before?

It might be fun

[Michael]

I agree that it would be a nice feature. A few of us do this by PM when we see our friends on line. But that does lack the immediacy or instant messaging. But what software is available to support instant messaging on the forum?

[james]

there are plenty of options for simply integrating chat rooms.

We don't, however, plan to add one.

Maybe I could be convinced otherwise, but I find chat rooms to be chaotic in nature and their function is already well covered by the various messenger services. Additionally, chat content is effectively lost. This site becomes more relevant as the searchable content increases. The forum content is searchable, by users as well as the search engines, like Google.

The forum allows users to make a new post every 15 seconds, so often a thread will develop a chat-like feel.

[denisea]

Originally posted by "James"

We don't, however, plan to add one.

Maybe I could be convinced otherwise, but I find chat rooms to be chaotic in nature and their function is already well covered by the various messenger services. Additionally, chat content is effectively lost. This site becomes more relevant as the searchable content increases. The forum content is searchable, by users as well as the search engines, like Google.

The forum allows users to make a new post every 15 seconds, so often a thread will develop a chat-like feel.

I'm with James 100% on this one. I'm not a huge fan of chat rooms --- actually not a fan of them at all. As a useful tool for travelers, I think this site would lose much of it's effectiveness by adding a chat feature for exactly the reasons James has mentioned. Chat rooms are very intimidating to many people --- even more so than forums --- which leads to less participation and ultimately less content. They are also real time so you lose the convenience of participating on your time. So inevitably the same questions get asked and discussed over and over again. This already happens on the forum, so just imagine the frustration that would evolve in a chat room when people continue to ask the same questions over and over again --- i.e. weather, swim with the dolphins, etc. I can already hear Becky and Ally! :o

So IMHO, I really don't see the need or benefit to adding a chat feature. Especially, since those of us who do want to chat with each other, already do so using the various messenger services that are available.

[tommy]

playa forum-playa pace!

chat room - yuuuuuuuk!

i love it how it is, although looking foward to the realesate portion james has talked about putting up!!!!

[Jeny]

I'm sorry to contradict any of you who dont agree on having a chat room here, specially you James! ... BUT! I'm new in this site... I'm travelling to playa next month and as much as I am enjoying browising this, It'd be fun to find out quick if someone else is going to pdc on the same date as I am and try to get to know eachother and start a good friendship...

Although like you said there are other messenger services that make up for the chat room... and yet, I LIKE CHAT ROOMS of course as long as the chat is taken serious, and no x rated talk! (I hate that!!!)

Ok then, no chat rooms, any suggestions on how to get to meet nice people at PDC???

TTFN!
Jeny

[cuffedlinks]

sun seekers...

aren't you guys in MEXICO ??

Go have a great time - crazy fun - take lots of photos and then come post at night when you've had too much sun and drink - ...

Just wondering why you're posting in the AFTERNOON?

Or was it "nap" time? I remember "nap" time in Mexico....

[james]

Originally posted by "cuffedlinks"

sun seekers...

aren't you guys in MEXICO ??

Go have a great time - crazy fun - take lots of photos and then come post at night when you've had too much sun and drink - ...

Just wondering why you're posting in the AFTERNOON?

Or was it "nap" time? I remember "nap" time in Mexico....

their post was dated Feb. 17

[cuffedlinks]

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh......... so it was.............

I take it back...................
--------------------------------------

...srekees nus

?? OCIXEM ni syug ouy t'nera

dah ev'ouy nehw thgin ta tsop- nuf yzarc - emit tearg a evah oG
... - knird dna nus hcum oot

?NOONRETFA eht ni gnitsop er'ouy yhw gnirednow tsuJ

....ocixeM ni emit "pan" rebmemer I ?emit "pan" ti saw rO

-------------------------------

There.....

[jx2]

I agree with James. I love the new format of the forum, but chatting, it would just change the make-up of the site. And it is fast enought that your are "virtually" chatting anyway.