ChatBox Good / Bad Poll

[rsocor01]

Hi,

Well, I don't like the chatbox feature either, but I don't see a reason to kill it since some people seem to enjoy it. In my opinion the chatbox goes against the spirit of the forum, which is to provide serious and expert guidance to those that need it in PBP and related topics. The beauty of having threads in the forum is that you can find posts/code that were written years ago with a simple search.

Hmm, some people are going to hate my comments in this post. Maybe, the best solution is to give the user the option to set the chatbox on or off.

Robert

[Jerson]

Personally, I am indifferent to the chat box. I'd rather have it as a private chat box rather than the public avatar it is in right now. As lester put it, a PM box that works in instantaneous mode between 2 parties. That can keep out the clutter from the chat. An argument against it is what are IM programs for then? Well, sometimes the person you want to chat with is not an IM friend of yours.

From the poll results, I definitely feel the opinion is out there. People seem to love/hate it almost equally. Taking it private will eliminate the possibility of abusing the facility and also abusing the good sense of others via vile comments.

So, if given the option, I'd suggest, let it stay, but in a private avatar.

Cheers

[Demon]

Turning OFF the chatbox:

There is an up arrow at the far right on the Chatbox bar, clicking that will close the chatbox.

[retepsnikrep]

My problem with the chatbox is it's very transient nature. If a nugget of useful advice is given in response to a query it is lost to everyone shortly afterwards and does not help to build up the forum knowledgebase. If it's use was strictly limited to non pbpro chat then fine, any tech queries should be via forum postings as now so we all can benefit weeks or years later via a simple search. IMHO

[cncmachineguy]

I Like the chat box. If used responsibly, most of the concerns listed will not be valid. I feel for the most part, folks here providing "useful nuggets of information" will nudge the poster to start a thread. I know I will.

A chat box is a VERY different animal then a post. Yes you can chat with a forum post, but you also can chat with an email. But where is the fun in that? This is still a VERY new feature, killing it before it has even been able to mature would be a shame.

IMHO, chat boxes only bring 1 thing to the table - a better sense of community. If this is not wanted/needed here, So be it. Lets face it guys, we are geeks. Some of us hard core, some just a little, but all of us are. I am proud to be one. But as geeks, this is a form of socialization for us. I may ask a passing question about something geeky in the chat. But more likely I want to know how Roberts garage roof is coming along. Or have a playful banter with Steve. Maybe I am wondering how someones son is doing with some wonderful painting.

Yes I know, all could be solved with an email, but my email is a pretty active and full place.

If you want to kill it, I won't whine about it. But maybe at least give it a chance.