Why does this site not have a chat room?

[Horus200]

Hi all. I was just wondering why this site doesn't have a chat room? Not sure if anyone can answer that.

[Lancastrian]

These ae just my thought on the query:

Administration is the main issue. A moderator would have to be online at all times 24/7 to keep control of the posts, the meetings and also to prevent endless spammers.

[Screwdriver]

On forums I've been an admin or moderator on, the chatrooms caused more problems than they solved, so they got removed or disabled. I did have a chatroom on my old phpbb2 forum and there was a yampy chatbot installed that came up with some weird answers and strange ideas. I called it Percy.

Personally I think forums work better without chatrooms.

[Bufferstop]

We have a "chat room" by default, it's called "Off topic discussion". Some topics do wander a little when quick comments just get stuffed on the end of the posts, (I know I'm as bad as anyone else) but if the original poster objects I'm happy to cut out the irrelevant posts and stuff them in their own thread. If you are unsure about which folder to post in say so at the start of your post and I'll move it to the most appropriate place. It might have to wait until I'm on the PC, moving stuff between folders on a tablet can be a bit hairy, which has lead to a couple of lost posts.

John W
aka Bufferstop

[aleopardstail]

We have a "chat room" by default, it's called "Off topic discussion". Some topics do wander a little when quick comments just get stuffed on the end of the posts, (I know I'm as bad as anyone else) but if the original poster objects I'm happy to cut out the irrelevant posts and stuff them in their own thread. If you are unsure about which folder to post in say so at the start of your post and I'll move it to the most appropriate place. It might have to wait until I'm on the PC, moving stuff between folders on a tablet can be a bit hairy, which has lead to a couple of lost posts.

John W
aka Bufferstop

^^ this, there are few enough posting here for a forum, never mind a chat site.

something on Discrod would be possible if anyone wanted to bother but not really seeing the point. a forum is much better for anything where something that could be useful a few years later could be asked for and answered

[centenary]

Why do you need a chat room on a forum nowadays?

Chat rooms were the rage when the internet access for the masses was via dial up! Forums were nothing more than 'bulletin boards' and people posting on them was pretty infrequent so chatrooms had a place. Today, I think the notion of a chatroom is rather old hat. Just my opinion though.

[Bufferstop]

I've never seen the point of having numerous folders or forums, the quick links, searches and reply options seem to get me where I want to be. The various sections and threads are all really imaginary, so are the folders and directories in which it all appears to be stored. I do have a bit of an advantage. I had to learn SQL (Structured Query Language) which is used to extract answers from databases. phpBB's search facility is quite good by the standards of small database systems, just have to not get your ands and ors mixed up. If you have some moderation or admin experience and would like to help out we'd be glad to hear from you!

[Horus200]

Thanks all for the answers. Wishing you all a good night.

[Phred]

Bufferstop wrote:
Some topics do wander a little

That's something I like about this site, people don't get all bent out of shape if the chat strays a little. It would be a dry old conversation if it didn't!
I know, I'm a serial offender...

[captrees]

Ahem. Errr.... What's a Chat Room?

(I'll get my coat....)

[Screwdriver]

If you have some moderation or admin experience and would like to help out we'd be glad to hear from you!

I'm site admin on my own forum and an admin on a forum for a certain make of German motorcycle so I don't mind helping out if required. Both are phpbb3 forums.

[Bufferstop]

Thanks Screwdriver, interest noted!

[Kindling]

Ahem. Errr.... What's a Chat Room?

(I'll get my coat....)

Me neither.

[Mountain]

On another site I was a moderator for the forum and the chatroom and forum. Live chat needs a PC, a fast hand at the mouse and the ability to spot "Patterns" so one can act before things get out of hand.