What should we do with the new chatroom?

[Andres Kello]

Hi folks

The mods and I have been discussing the potential negative side-effects of the new chatroom and we wanted to get your input on it, so everyone please vote in the Poll (it's 100% anonymous and we need everyone's input).

A few things to consider before voting:
Options 1-4 all include the option of the stand-alone chatroom which can always be accessed from the navigation bar.
Any user can completely disable the chat (and make it disappear) via their User CP options.
With more chatting, will there be less posting in the forum? (This is an important point to consider since posts get shared with all members but not necessarily chats, which only get viewed by those participating.)
If the chatroom is less visible, will there be as much participation in it?
The chat has quadrupled our bandwidth and there have been some reports of Mobility running slower because of it. If you've experienced this, you might want to take it into consideration when answering the Poll (e.g. Options 1-3 will naturally reduce bandwidth use).Also, feel free to express any other opinions regarding the chatroom, in this thread and check out this thread (http://mobility.mobi/showthread.php?t=1975) for reference.

Cheers!
Andres

[photoman]

I'd say keep it up for a little longer, say another week and then see how it pans out!

[Andres Kello]

I'd say keep it up for a little longer, say another week and then see how it pans out!We can always repeat the poll in 1-2 weeks and see if people feel the same way, but right now I'm interested in getting people's "first impressions".

[Scandiman]

I prefer a stand alone chat room because you know who is in the chat room with you. Also, as it works now it has adverse display effects on my mobile browsing of mobility.

[Dave]

I voted for the standalone as well. As it is, it makes Mobility feel too much like it's a chatroom with some associated threads, rather than the other way around. :frown:

[coast]

I would like to know who is in the chatroom, and I do find myself ignoring threads because I spend a lot of time in real-time discussion. If it were separate I could still do both.

If it's standalone, would we be able to have control over the colors ala NP?

Thanks.

[Andres Kello]

I do find myself ignoring threads because I spend a lot of time in real-time discussion.That's not good and is a possible negative-side effect of having the chat appear everywhere.


If it's standalone, would we be able to have control over the colors ala NP?You already do, simply go to your User CP options (http://mobility.mobi/profile.php?do=editoptions), scroll down to "Chatbox Options", and change the color and font to what you'd like messages from you to appear as in the chatroom.

[Scandiman]

That's not good and is a possible negative-side effect of having the chat appear everywhere.
Agreed.

As it is, it makes Mobility feel too much like it's a chatroom with some associated threads, rather than the other way around.Perfect observation. As it is I think we'll have an identity crisis around here.

[seanboy]

how about crazy fun emoticons, like the ones Jeff uses :argh::biggrin::laugh::coo2l::adore::embarassed:

[Reece]

I voted for "remove it from some pages but not all". I think it would be good as a standalone but would be also nice to see on the Mobility.mobi homepage. I really enjoy the chat feature and it's made me come back to mobility mroe frequently since it's been implemented.

[Andres Kello]

I really enjoy the chat feature and it's made me come back to mobility more frequently since it's been implemented.That is a very important point, glad to hear Reece! :biggrin:

[Andres Kello]

Hey guys, we're gonna remove the chat from the top of every page and just link to the stand-alone chatroom from the navigation bar (since that option got the most votes) and we'll so how it goes. Continue to give us your feedback please.

[Andres Kello]

Just a quick note to let you guys know that the chatroom testing is still ongoing and that we still want your feedback. We've noticed that chatting activity has gone down significantly (from 2,000 down to 500 shouts a day) since changing to the stand-alone format and wanted to know why you guys think that is?

Also, feel free to continue voting if you haven't already done so.

Remember, Mobility is YOUR forum. :biggrin:

[dentalpro]

I didint think I'd like it on every page but...it would prolly be better if it was...I watched a few times but didint join in.

[kiwi]

It seems that the chat undoubtedly encourages more sharing, though perhaps less posting. Therefore a chat that is missed is lost information and even though archives exist, there is little time.

Is there a way to see a summary of the links that have been posted and discussed during a chat? I see that as being some of the best information coming from a chat - especially for anyone that is really looking to learn more - like me.

[coast]

I changed my mind - I'd like to see it on the first page plus a separate link, with a reminder to post links as threads on the chat. Otherwise the chatroom is empty most of the day.

[Andres Kello]

It seems that the chat undoubtedly encourages more sharing, though perhaps less posting.Actually, we've noticed the opposite effect. Posting increased with the chat on every page and decreased when we changed to the stand-alone format. Chatting seems to spur a lot of activity, including more posting.


Therefore a chat that is missed is lost information and even though archives exist, there is little time.I could always increase the size of the chat archive to host more days worth of chatting, so that's an option on the table.


Is there a way to see a summary of the links that have been posted and discussed during a chat? I see that as being some of the best information coming from a chat - especially for anyone that is really looking to learn more - like me.Not that I know of, your best bet is to scour the archives.

[kiwi]

Got it, will do.
Thanks

[FilipinoFood.com]

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[Andres Kello]

Thanks for all your feedback guys!

We've put the chat back up at the top on every page so you can chat and browse the forum at the same time...this will hopefully re-ignite the internet's first and only .mobi chatroom! However, now we're giving you guys full control over it, so we've made the collapsed mode display NO messages so that those who do not want to see the chat at the top can simply minimize it and hide it completely.

Also, note that the stand-alone chat is still accessible from the Navigation Bar for those of you who prefer that format.

Chat on!

[coast]

Andres, thank you for trying new things. It's good to see the chat back up on the home page especially (I voted for that option) - I woke up with a case of insomnia and saw the guys in the Netherlands / Australia chatting it up and the site seemed more "alive" to me.

Once again, you have my vote for the best forum owner!

[MrMobi]

i was impressed today when i came here and noticed the chat feature on the main page and said hi...then it kept denying me from posting replies and said i had to wait a few seconds. I then noticed the link at the top and clicked that and seemed to work better there for about 5 minutes or so, then im not sure what happened but i couldnt get it back working....i think its a good thing, i guess you can tell what i voted because the leading vote has gone up...i now reconsider my vote and think back to the impression i got when i came here first up and there was chat there and people here discussing .mobi and say if you can get it working on the mobility.mobi main page as well as have the full room link, in my humble opinion, it is a impressive thing for new comers to see and just shows exactly how much interest there is in .mobi

[FilipinoFood.com]

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[Andres Kello]

Hi Yelo,

Now that we placed the chat back up on every page, the chatting has more than trippled.

The problem with completely removing the archive is that if someone was in the middle of a chat with several people and had to leave for 30 min, they wouldn't be able to read what they missed when they returned. That archive only stores the last 24 hours of chat (I can't make it less since the variable is for days, not hours), so you can rest assured that everything that is said in the chatroom will be gone the next day.

[Pred]

Lose the scroll at top. Hideous.
have a chatroom if you need one tucked away, accessible from navigation bar.
tbh dont think many will want. if its screwing your bandwidth, lose the bitch

[Scandiman]

Lose the scroll at top. Hideous.
have a chatroom if you need one tucked away, accessible from navigation bar.
tbh dont think many will want. if its screwing your bandwidth, lose the bitch
Actually you can lose it all by yourself using the little circle arrow icon on the top right.

I too prefer a dedicated chat room but I've also found it interesting to be able to browse the forum and still see the chatbox.

But I agree with you whole heartedly, if this current style is consuming too much bandwidth then another solution is worth considering.