Chat.... Chat?

[Tyranthraxus]

Greetings,

As another long time user of #dnd3e (on many of the different servers) and not a user of the forums, I would like to add my voice in support of this channel. I have no problem with it being turned into #enworld nor with any steps used to discourage idlers (because I don't think its good form to idle in a chat channel). I go there primarily to chat with other gamers, and while sometimes it entails long periods of silence, the core group there do seem to get through quite a few topics.

I don't think I would have any issues with using a web based chat software ( I currently use mirc)

I also think its the perfect place (for example) to discuss in real time, 4th Edition (its pros and cons) and be able to hear from many different viewpoints. While I have used forums in the past, Im typically not a fan of the wait for a response. While Im not really an IT type, I have taken a look at mibbit as suggested above and think it might be the way to go.

 

[Seri]

So what's the status on things, is there a plan for the future of the channel? should there be a conversation with the staff of the channel and the boards?

where does it go from here?

 

[Morrus]

So what's the status on things, is there a plan for the future of the channel? should there be a conversation with the staff of the channel and the boards?

where does it go from here?

Mike will be around again in a day or two; obviously he'll be imlementing the technical side into EN World II depending on what I decide on.

I'm inclined to go with a #enworld channel with me as owner, and an easy web interface fully integrated into the site. Ideally with some sort of output onto EN World's main page showing how many people are in chat, etc. to encourage participation.

What I do want is to integrate the two communities more, so that they don't feel like two separate communities. I'm not sure the best way to do that - as tdc mentioned, scheduled publisher chats etc. are very work intensive, and it's easy to burn out on them.

 

[Kzach]

What I do want is to integrate the two communities more, so that they don't feel like two separate communities. I'm not sure the best way to do that - as tdc mentioned, scheduled publisher chats etc. are very work intensive, and it's easy to burn out on them.

One thing I'd like to suggest is using the EN World main page as a way to promote the chat room a bit more.

There are PHP modules (I don't know what you're using for the site but I'm sure something similar could be done) for community sites that have a side box that displays pertinent chat room details such as current numbers, random quotes, current topic, etc.

A page with guidelines for the chat could also be used instead of a direct link to the chat room software. I know a number of sites have their chat room link go to a guidelines page first that outlines not only the rules and spirit of the channel, but also who the operators are and what software can be used to connect and how to use it.

Also, events don't have to be publishers or authors. You could determine a once a week schedule, keeping the same time every week, but choosing a topic relevant to EN World each time. Post the chat event on the main page each week and have at least one EN World staff member turn up or assign one of the Otherworlds ops to be a regular moderator.

 

[thatdarncat]

One thing I'd like to suggest is using the EN World main page as a way to promote the chat room a bit more.

There are PHP modules (I don't know what you're using for the site but I'm sure something similar could be done) for community sites that have a side box that displays pertinent chat room details such as current numbers, random quotes, current topic, etc.

Hmm

Any examples?

 

[Seri]

I think more information is needed on all sides. I'm feeling like this is a bit us vs them, which is what I think we all want to get away from.

I would like to suggest three things.

1. create a list of questions and try to stick to them so this doesn't turn into a rehashing of the past, this is movement forward and providing solutions to problems.

2. start a thread asking the forum community what they would like to see in a chatroom (interface (web/irc/?) topics, issues, etc. Have a set time limit to the forum, ie this will run for 1 week and will be used as reference point to improve service to both communities (forum&chat)

3. schedule a chat in channel during the time period mentioned above, have Morrus, MM, Xmanii, channel ops, Bynw and anyone else I'm missing there, and get the same input from the chat community.

I think that would provide a starting point for making decisions that would benefit all of the community.

 

[genshou]

I would certainly like to see more pimping of the chat on the EN World website. I would imagine a great deal of forumites don't even know the chatroom exists, or at least don't have any idea what it's like in there.

It seems to me like the majority of our EN World visitors are guests, either because they don't have an EN World account or because they don't keep themselves logged in. I'd like to see some of the oldtimer forumites now and again.

 

[Seri]

Is there any news or info about how chat is going to work, I've noticed the countdown and would like to know how things are progressing.

 

[thatdarncat]

bump?

 

[Vempyre]

(user comments following)

Woa, I havnt been in #dnd3e myself in years n years, but yet I still recognize names like Seri and thatdarncat, hehe.

I guess I am not that old that I am forgetting names yet!

The reason I havnt been using IRC chat in years is it feels antiquated to me (and that I havn't played DnD much in the last 4 years). I think it's still useful and a great tool of communication, but the interface and oddities of IRC compared to modern technology quirks me on many levels It feels like a dinosaur to me (IRC, I mean, not the chat channel itself).

That's why I think a chat interface for ENWorld2 needs to be convivial and transparent, and easy to use, to correspond to today's user demand. Maybe it would lure back old ppl like me who havnt used it in ages. The fact that most ppl here are geeks and knowledgeable in old stuff like IRC is no excuse to setup a proper modern age chat interface (my opinion)

All the points about a good functional non-quirky chat web portal, integration with the boards (for forum/chat usernames for exemple) are valid and important points to me in regard to the above, if I was to start hanging out in there again

I have no suggestions as to what technology to use though, sadly, as I have been out of the chat loop for years.