Chat

[Bonzai]

since it looks like no one ever uses the chat, well when anyone else is in it, why not put in a shout box or something on the front?

I moved your original "shoutbox" post to here,

I've explored several options including using Azax Chat as the shoutbox. I'm not more than 50% sold on any of the methods I've seen.

Aside from the chat being a separate window, why don't you use it. It's authenticated via the forums login, makes noises when somebody types a message etc ...

The argument has always been that it's not on the front page, yet if I add a shoutbox it will always be at the very bottom. Unless you live at the bottom of the forum you'll never see a shout unless you scroll down.

[EvolOne666]

yeah sorry for nto diggin around, i was lazy and bein rushed to get dressed

i didnt know this was all looked at before so you could just delete my post, maybe ill just... uhh... advertise the chat more

[HookAndPull]

Idahomotorsports.com is a site I used to use back when I lived there and they have a convenient little shout box on the top of the main page. It's very easy to use, see, and is plain convenient. you should check it out Dean

[Bonzai]

Idahomotorsports.com is a site I used to use back when I lived there and they have a convenient little shout box on the top of the main page. It's very easy to use, see, and is plain convenient. you should check it out Dean

Yup did. no chat box to be seen, I guess you have to be registered?

I'm not a stranger to chat boxes and other forms of IM on forums. In 2009 we setup a website for our UO then EQ guild. The average amount of users who were active on the system at any time was about 120. We installed a chat box and the active users dropped, the posts stopped. Everybody was sitting in chat flinging poop around and there was no exchange of information. We eventually moved the chat into IRC and the post count went up, board participation went up and the community re-established itself.

Today that message board has on average 5,000 users on it at ANY given time, over 52,00 registered members, and on average 400+ guests that visit the site.

Take a look at the stats ... http://www.fohguild.org/forums/

There is another example on the opposite end of that spectrum over at TSB.org where the chatbox is on the front page. Now show me a post less than 3 days old.

Don't get me wrong, we'll have a chatbox on the front page, but it wont be priority on the site and will not be at the top or side. Scroll down low ..... way low. So whats the difference between a shoutbox that isn't in sight and a shoutbox that isnt in sight? Nothing.

[BlackAndFlames]

There is another example on the opposite end of that spectrum over at TSB.org where the chatbox is on the front page. Now show me a post less than 3 days old.

Not a fair comparison now! When it was active, chat was used constantly and did not detract from posting on the threads.

IMHO - the chat should be on the front page of the forum, don't care where - but it would definitely be used much more than what it is now...which is not at all!

[Bonzai]

There is another example on the opposite end of that spectrum over at TSB.org where the chatbox is on the front page. Now show me a post less than 3 days old.

Not a fair comparison now! When it was active, chat was used constantly and did not detract from posting on the threads.

IMHO - the chat should be on the front page of the forum, don't care where - but it would definitely be used much more than what it is now...which is not at all!

Two of us in there now, why not you?

Show me somebody that surfs the web with only one page/tab up? the need these days to have so much content on the same page is dwindling.

[BlackAndFlames]

Two of us in there now, why not you?

Show me somebody that surfs the web with only one page/tab up? the need these days to have so much content on the same page is dwindling.

Dean - you know it's a crap shoot if there is one person there, much less two! Not useful to me as a separate tab - not bashing just my preference.

And, I not only use separate tabs, multiple windows, but also multiple rooms (virtual desktops) and monitors. Probably have ADD! lol

[Gixxer1KDude]

[Bonzai]

Dean - you know it's a crap shoot if there is one person there, much less two! Not useful to me as a separate tab - not bashing just my preference. [/quote

Agreed, if we had 10+ people in chat at all times it would motivate me a bit more.

And, I not only use separate tabs, multiple windows, but also multiple rooms (virtual desktops) and monitors. Probably have ADD! lol

And all of that does how good when Comcast goes out? lol.

[HookAndPull]

Idahomotorsports.com is a site I used to use back when I lived there and they have a convenient little shout box on the top of the main page. It's very easy to use, see, and is plain convenient. you should check it out Dean

Yup did. no chat box to be seen, I guess you have to be registered?

Yeah you have to be registered. It's a good balance of posting and shouts as well.

[BlackAndFlames]

And all of that does how good when Comcast goes out? lol.

Uhh, absolutely SQUAT!

[BlackAndFlames]

Dean,

Did you decide not to put the chat box on the main page? I remember you considering it, but were concerned how it would work with mobile devices.

Couple of other questions:

When I receive an email that a subscribed thread has a new entry - could the member's name and comment be included in the email?

Is it possible to see the latest posts/updates without having to login - i.e. a new post selection from the main page?

Tks,

Greg

[Bonzai]

Did you decide not to put the chat box on the main page? I remember you considering it, but were concerned how it would work with mobile devices.

Playing around still with Joomla integration. The 'wrapper' is not to my liking but I'll play some more.

When I receive an email that a subscribed thread has a new entry - could the member's name and comment be included in the email?

I'll peek and see.

Is it possible to see the latest posts/updates without having to login - i.e. a new post selection from the main page?

"View new posts" at the top of the forum? dunno if it's there when logged off, will have to check permissions.

[BlackAndFlames]

"View new posts" at the top of the forum? dunno if it's there when logged off, will have to check permissions.

It's not there.