A couple of my players are allergic to the idea of using VOIP in the game. So, we type. Fortunately, we're all fairly quick typers, so that hasn't been a problem.
One really sweet thing, while I'm on the typing bit, is that you can simply pretype boxed text and the like and send it to the chat window all at once. That can dramatically speed up play as well.
On a side note about the lack of conviction from players. This is probably my number one pet peeve. I've had more than a few players over the years disappear into the ether. Drives me absolutely wild. It's an unfortunate side effect of gaming with strangers. It would be fine if it was after a session or two, but, I've had people vanish six months into a campaign. Bloody annoying.
It takes some time to build up a group that is as dedicated to the campaign as you are. On the plus side, if someone's a prat, boot them without hesitation. You can always get new players. I no longer game with people I only tolerate, like I did back in the "play at the FLGS days". Now, when someone truly isn't meshing, they get a firmly and politely worded email telling them that they are no longer welcome at the table.
