Chat room?

**Rich Z** · 10-03-2007, 10:46 PM

Does anyone use the chat room? I'm looking at a new chat script for another of my sites and found one that looks pretty sharp. But it's not real cheap, so I don't want to plug it in here just to have it sit unused.

Is there a problem with the current chat system here, or is no one just trying it out?

Maybe we could get some experts to run some "how-to" clinics in the chat so you could all throw questions at them in real time...........

Anyway, let me know what you all think about the chat that is already here. If it is not being used because of problems, I want to know about it.

Thanks,

Rich Z.

Rich427 · 10-04-2007, 08:34 AM

Rich,

I don't know why our Chat room is not used but I would not spend any money to improve it. It might be that our users are on at different times during the day making the chat room more difficult to utilize. If it is easier and cheaper for you, I would vote to eliminate it.

Just my opinion.

Rich

JIM KILL · 10-04-2007, 12:29 PM

Rich:

Chat Rooms don't normally work well in a Blog room enviroment.

The problem is that if I want to talk to you I have to send a PM and wait for your reply and set a time to chat. Alot of just plain chat rooms you can send a PM direct and a pop up comes up on your screen that someone wants to chat.

If we keep the chat room.....How about this idea....Set up a time and choose a subject and post it on the chat room.

Example:
1. Tonight at 5:00pm (What do you think about the new 2008 Corvette?)
Meet us there and give us your opinion. Alot of times the subjects will change in that forum to "Who can add a cam to my corvette". etc. or "How are you feeling today after the Surgery".

Still think you have the best Forum around!!!

OMO
Jim

**Rich Z** · 10-04-2007, 12:33 PM

Sounds like a chat coordinator to set up scheduled events would be the ticket. Any volunteers?

JIM KILL · 10-04-2007, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rich Z

Sounds like a chat coordinator to set up scheduled events would be the ticket. Any volunteers?

I sent this to Ms.Antivenom this "PM" note:

Rashelle:
I made this suggestion to Rich on the chat room...see what you think of this!!
Read this Blog.....You would be great for this item.
We can start tomorrow at 12:00am to 1:00pm
Subject......."Just saying Hi to everyone"
Jim

http://www.corvetteflorida.com/forum...5334#post35334

Ms. AntiVenom · 10-04-2007, 01:14 PM

That sounds like a great Idea, I'm game

******tapping Gregs shoulder,

We could get him to sit down and do what he is best at,Talking about cars, He likes to do it more than anything, But the forum being **wait a while for responce* he has to move on back outside and wait for replies, then he forgets to check them.

**Rich Z** · 10-04-2007, 01:16 PM

Well, one of the reasons for this query was because I need to know if I should upgrade the chat software. I have the same chat that is on this site running on another of my sites, and some of the members there have been complaining about it. Saying they get booted out for no reason or have problems logging in to it. I have a trial version of the new chat software running over there, and everyone who has tried it says it is MUCH better than the current software being run.

Since this site is pulling in a few $$ now, I can afford to go with better software that will naturally cost more.

But if the chat isn't being used because of lack of interest, then it's a moot point. If you would prefer that I wait until it is used more to justify the expense, I can certainly do that. I just don't want failings in the software itself being the cause for it's not being used.

98 softtail · 10-04-2007, 11:29 PM

Rich, Here is another thought. Can you setup the site so that we can open a seperate window for the chat room? That way we could log into the chat room while we check the "new" stuff, or "Mods", etc, and watch to see if anyone else pops in, then respond to say hello or whatever.

Joe B.

**Rich Z** · 10-05-2007, 12:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 98 softtail

Rich, Here is another thought. Can you setup the site so that we can open a seperate window for the chat room? That way we could log into the chat room while we check the "new" stuff, or "Mods", etc, and watch to see if anyone else pops in, then respond to say hello or whatever.

Joe B.

Done.

One thing everyone needs to note is that you need to click on that red ball in the upper right hand corner of the chat screen when you want to exit and log out. Otherwise the system indicates you are still there, even though you have exited the building.

Further, logging out of the chat will not close down this new window created for the chat. Hope that doesn't prove to be an irritation to some people. But at least you can keep the chat window open will you continue browsing the posts on this site.

Thanks!

Rich Z.

**Rich Z** · 10-05-2007, 01:06 AM

One other comment about the scheduling problem. Normally what seems to work best is to schedule the same event twice a month, but on two different times at two different days of the week. It is probably safest to assume that 9 to 5 Monday thru Friday will not be good for a lot of people. Since we are all in the same time zone, that GREATLY simplifies things, since scheduling something around lunch time for many people will sometimes work out.

In some cases, some people would prefer those above mentioned hours because their computer at work is so much faster than the one they have at home and they have the flexibility to take the time to use some play time. As I mentioned earlier, nothing will be perfect for everyone.

Really, it's going to be a case of trial and error to see what works best for most people. A routine will eventually be established with some people, and others will likely synchronize around that. If it becomes known that a crowd usually hangs out there around 7 pm every day, it will start to snowball.

Some people may decide to even use the chat to arrange group discussions. For instance a club could certainly have a room set up for their use and have real time discussions in that manner.

Anyway, it's there to be used. I got the developers of the new chat system I mentioned to give me a good discount on purchasing his product, so please wring out this current chat software to see if it will hold up or not. I would rather find out sooner rather than later. Nothing will kill momentum for it like having flaky software chasing people away.