13-02-2012, 08:19 AM
I meant to reply this when the subject was first raised, but I forgot.
IMO a chat room is a really bad idea, for several reasons. In no particular order:
1) Some people like chatting on-line and some don't, so you have immediately split this currently fairly harmonious membership into two.
2) There is the time difference issue, which whilst not insurmountable, will inevitably lead mainly to the Americans talking to fellow Americans, Europeans to Europeans, Asia/Aussie to their timezones, etc.
3) Somebody mentioned asking questions and getting answers. Well, yes, but you can do that now and more importantly, with these boards ALL the questions and ALL of the answers are available in written form to everyone for ever. With a chat, only those in the room at the time have any chance of seeing either.
4) Chat rooms ALWAYS lead to the formation of Cliques.
5) Chat rooms ALWAYS lead to flame wars.
Just my views.
IMO a chat room is a really bad idea, for several reasons. In no particular order:
1) Some people like chatting on-line and some don't, so you have immediately split this currently fairly harmonious membership into two.
2) There is the time difference issue, which whilst not insurmountable, will inevitably lead mainly to the Americans talking to fellow Americans, Europeans to Europeans, Asia/Aussie to their timezones, etc.
3) Somebody mentioned asking questions and getting answers. Well, yes, but you can do that now and more importantly, with these boards ALL the questions and ALL of the answers are available in written form to everyone for ever. With a chat, only those in the room at the time have any chance of seeing either.
4) Chat rooms ALWAYS lead to the formation of Cliques.
5) Chat rooms ALWAYS lead to flame wars.
Just my views.