Originally Posted By: flstffxe
Originally Posted By: wwillson
Originally Posted By: Red91
Why? Seems like a good idea.
The chat area required constant moderation. We decided it was more trouble than it was worth.
Wayne
Been there on other forums. It often turns into a "I want help NOW!" by new members. Which is all fine and dandy during the times experienced members are on, but when they are not the noob usually gets frustrated and never comes back.
When there is some one there to help them and good info is put out there, most chat boxes lose that record after a period of time. Now you starve the forum from having that information available to find. When the search box is archived and searchable, now you just created another spot people have to search in to find info. It's a great feature IF you are the person who gets to use it when someone with proper knowledge is on to answer your questions in real time. It's [censored] if you are the person asking a question and no one is there or they aren't knowledgeable or the topic has been discussed already and the info is lost.
As mentioned conversations also get way off topic for the forum and seems people forget to use their mental filters and just let it fly.
From a administrative point of view, they often require more policing and take away more from the rest of the forum VS what they add back. Administrators, Admins and Moderators already have enough to do to keep a forum straight. It doesn't pay and they rarely get a thank you for their time they volunteer. They are not going to willingly add in a feature that requires more work.
Your POV is well respected. And, in SOME cases that kind of chat forum does get out of hand.
I have been a member on a town forum for over 6 years. The site added a chat board 2 years ago. Since then the members have increased by leaps and bounds. Along with new members came new sponsors, which in turn brought in more money. The site has been upgraded twice since then and is still bringing in more sponsors.
I was referring to a chat board where an individual member can chat one on one with another individual member, not an OPEN chat forum. You know, like right in the corner of the forum board, on your screen.