chat or no chat?

nhseacoast · Post by **nhseacoast** » Sun Aug 28, 2016 9:59 pm

I'm just wondering what y'all think about a chat extension on a new board? I'd like to add it to give users the option, but I'm worried it will reduce posting activity.
Your thoughts?

AmigoJack · Post by **AmigoJack** » Mon Aug 29, 2016 1:33 pm

One big disadvantage of it is: members will treat it as a support center - they won't create reports (aka "flag posts") anymore, but just write it into the chat, where the text will vanished, unnoticed by any moderator.

nhseacoast · Post by **nhseacoast** » Mon Aug 29, 2016 1:43 pm

Interesting...I never gave that a thought.

Rhynn · Post by **Rhynn** » Wed Aug 31, 2016 2:37 am

Honestly, that has never yet happened to me - at least not without a moderator present and active to actually attend to the report. Then again my users never quite seem to be able to find the report button, so perhaps AmigoJack does have a point

In my experience it depends on what sort of users you have. For some communities a chat box is the last thing the users are looking for, while other communities are practically begging for one. As admin it's up to you to figure out what sort of community you've got on your hands.

nhseacoast · Post by **nhseacoast** » Wed Aug 31, 2016 11:28 am

Rhynn wrote:Honestly, that has never yet happened to me - at least not without a moderator present and active to actually attend to the report. Then again my users never quite seem to be able to find the report button, so perhaps AmigoJack does have a point

In my experience it depends on what sort of users you have. For some communities a chat box is the last thing the users are looking for, while other communities are practically begging for one. As admin it's up to you to figure out what sort of community you've got on your hands.

Thanks for the input....as of right now, I have an empty community on my hands.

enter a valid email · Post by **enter a valid email** » Wed Aug 31, 2016 7:13 pm

A Chat (Box) is an good way to ask some Question.
The German phpbb Board have an IRC Chat. Its very usefull for me!!!
The could answer me some question in seconds.

I dont understand why the most people hate it.

AmigoJack · Post by **AmigoJack** » Wed Aug 31, 2016 10:35 pm

AmigoJack wrote:members will treat it as a support center

enter a valid email wrote:A Chat (Box) is an good way to ask some Question

Quod erat demonstrandum.

enter a valid email wrote:IRC Chat
phpbb Board

That would be an Internet Relay Chat chat and a Pre Hypertext Processor Bulletin Board Board.

enter a valid email · Wed Aug 31, 2016 10:42 pm

sorry i dont understand.

Post by **Mick** » Fri Sep 02, 2016 7:59 am

enter a valid email wrote:I dont understand why the most people hate it

"most people" hate what?

enter a valid email · Post by **enter a valid email** » Fri Sep 02, 2016 2:28 pm

an chat

Lumpy Burgertushie · Post by **Lumpy Burgertushie** » Fri Sep 02, 2016 8:49 pm

do you know "most people" ? I don't, but I would guess that many people do not want a chat on a bulletin board.

I am one of those people. If you want a chat, install a chat instead of a bulletin board. chats are for instant chat back and forth, usually about nothing important. a bulletin board ( phpbb ) is usually about making posts with content and discussing that content in depth with many others . It can be instant if you are watching the topic and want to reply instantly, but it is not chat.

having a chat for product support is a great idea. but because you like and want a chat for a support line does not mean that a chat on a bulletin board is as important.

it boils down to personal preference. If you want a chat on your board, install one. there is the mchat extension that works just fine and many many people use it with no problems.

luck,
robert

webhostuk · Post by **webhostuk** » Sat Sep 03, 2016 7:13 am

It has got some advantage and some disadvantage .. you will surely get quick replies using chat application , but thats also true it might reduce thread conversation if users get addicted to chat usage.

david63 · Post by **david63** » Sat Sep 03, 2016 7:25 am

webhostuk wrote:you will surely get quick replies using chat application

Only if there is somebody who knows the answer on line at the same time as you are on line otherwise you may never get an answer - whereas posting a question will eventually be seen by somebody who will be able to answer.

Kizufgsfds · Post by **Kizufgsfds** » Sun Sep 04, 2016 11:32 am

I'm all in for a cleaner board, the less the better, so I usually stay away from chat plugins.
And it might reduce topics as people would rather chat it than create a new topic

enter a valid email · Post by **enter a valid email** » Tue Sep 06, 2016 2:38 pm

sorry for late replay.

If you want a chat, install a chat instead of a bulletin board. chats are for instant chat back and forth, usually about nothing important.

sorry that is rubbish!
Why does many Company use Facebook? Simple Answer that Customer could ask an Question and get instant Replay. When I have a special question like what kind of Train operate tomorrow between X and Y the give me an answer in <2h. When I send an Mail how long did it take if the replay? Yes Days or longer.

So why not the same for an Forum? Ok ok I am not an Company but I try to help Peoples.

If you want a chat on your board, install one. there is the mchat extension that works just fine and many many people use it with no problems.

Sure I will try it.

you will surely get quick replies using chat application , but thats also true it might reduce thread conversation if users get addicted to chat usage.

what is better and "clean" discussion or people who "spam" in the Board like: "hey does the Bus X realy go to Y ?".
Sure when you place Adds on your Board you want many Treads you could get.

Only if there is somebody who knows the answer on line at the same time as you are on line otherwise you may never get an answer - whereas posting a question will eventually be seen by somebody who will be able to answer.

sure thats true. In the German phpbb Chat Group normaly in the evening some geeks are online who know the answer for simple questions. It save a lot of time and the best the could give an instant replay.