Sailnet Members Decide - Chat or not?

[administrator]

We're considering adding a chat feature to Sailnet and we'd your opinions if you'd like to have it.

Please cast your vote and/or comments.

Thank You.

[JoeDiver]

I vote "yes" ....because....sure, why not give it a go. If it doesn't work out and folks don't use it, so be it, take it away. I personally don't use chat features.

[treilley]

I do not think chat would be a good idea unless the transcripts are viewable by all. The forum discussions we create and contribute to show up in searches and folks here gain that valuable knowledge. A chat may take away from that process of open information sharing that benefits all members.

We have PM or email if folks truly want to have a private conversation.

[BubbleheadMd]

I voted yes because I've wanted to have live discussions with people who were online and helping me with something. The PM feature worked, but it was slower and clunky for live chat.

I do not agree with my transcripts being readable by everyone, at least not without me pushing a "publish" button or something.

[BentSailor]

The idea of chatting seems like a good idea... until one reads the political forums. Moderators can step in when things get a little heated before too much explodes when the conversation is not so "immediate".

Unless you're planning on having the moderators sit around the chat constantly, I reckon it's too prone to problems where a minute or so 'posting' would temper us opinionated folk

That and I really like being able to search the forums for information nicely sorted by category. We'd miss alot of info having it all mixed up in the one chat (even if there was a transcript kept).

[Boasun]

Give it a try... Then take another vote as to whether to keep it or not.

[Cptken]

I say no....if chat is needed open a sailnet page on facebook or twitter

[T37Chef]

Give it a go, what the heck

[deniseO30]

I give it a yes, I may not use it since I once was a chat host/manager on the "old" msn servers. This was back when "bots" would spam chat rooms every few mins and eventually every few seconds. I had software for managing chats also. One side benefit was the amazing speed I can type now! You could say I'm a chat room burn out lol

[DRFerron]

Would it be possible to reserve chat rooms for special guest speakers? Perhaps have someone answer questions about a specific topic with a moderator keeping things on track and have the transcript available after the chat? It could even be Sailnet members who have a specialty or someone in the industry.

I agree with treilley that the forum retains important information, but most of the time questions get asked (and answered) multiple times anyway.

I'm not going to vote because I don't have a black or white answer. I would prefer to have a chat room with a purpose, something that makes Sailnet stand out and give non-members a reason to check it out. Any site can have a chat room that just sits there waiting for someone to log into it.