Any interest in chat?

[daytime dave]

I think I can add a "chat" like program to the forum, with people who are logged on at the time able to "talk" to each other. I think it's called a shout box.

Is there any interest in this?

[JCN]

I'd give it a try. Do we know how often there are more than one or two members logged in at one time?

[Mistered]

I use chat on other forums and it's kind of fun - it typically becomes a 'BS' session for those who are on it but is a nice way to communicate with others and get to know people. The biggest problem I see is how few members on this forum are logged on at any given time and it is MUCH lower than most other forums - sometimes none at all and this will be a factor in how many - if any use the chat function.

[White Squirrel]

I use chat on other forums and it's kind of fun - it typically becomes a 'BS' session for those who are on it but is a nice way to communicate with others and get to know people. The biggest problem I see is how few members on this forum are logged on at any given time and it is MUCH lower than most other forums - sometimes none at all and this will be a factor in how many - if any use the chat function.

What he said. Might be worth a try as long as it doesn't cause more work for you and the other folks to monitor.

[RetiredSeabee]

It would be quicker than the pm for sure. Would it be just between two people or usable as a group?

[daytime dave]

I recently joined another forum that uses our type of software. They have a thing called shoutbox. It's visible to anyone who looks at the forum. I'm thinking of giving it a try. It's similar to chat, but it stays visible at all times. I was thinking about looking for a chat function.

As far as more work, ha, what's that. Full time job, part time job, manage four properties............I started a website in my spare time, lol.

[Deadwood Dutch]

National Gun Forum has a "chat box" at the top of the home page and is available for all MEMBERS to chat with one another. Sometimes the conversations go back and forth for quite a while and sometimes it stays idle for a long time too. But, they have over 18,000 members. Everyone who is logged in can view it simultaneously. If you can install it here I certainly think that it would be useful for members.

[Les]

It certainly won't hurt to try it. Nothing ventured, nothing gained, as they say.

[Cowboy Gun Fan]

Sounds like a good idea to me. Chat rooms seem to have lost their popularity through the years. I used to participate in some years ago and pretty much enjoyed them, but I don't hardly ever see any anymore. On all the sites I'm a member of anyway, lol.

[Jon4ta]

Would give it a go..not sure anyone would understand my Joorsay accent though!

[daytime dave]

Shoutbox enabled. It should show up at the bottom area of the forum on the index (main) page.

[Sir Henry]

I like it but it only appears on the Home Page. I seldom use that page.

[daytime dave]

I think there are other options, but I just learned it was out there a few days ago. I'll look into it.

[BigAl52]

Ive also used chat on other forums and it often becomes clickish. There are a few memebers that hang there all the time and if a new guy comes in they often ignore him rather that trying to include him in the conversations. I like the chat idea and would give it a try for sure but I would hope it wouldnt go that way. Al

[Catherine]

I have a question please.

I just signed in to read the forum but I did not officially sign in to chat.

Yet the thing on top of the front page shows that I am signed in there but I did not sign in to a chat.

Maybe I don't understand how this chat set up works compared to the ancient ones from the late 90's or so.

I know that some of the long gone chats from old long gone forums (BIG well known MSN forums and a few others.) had a different set up so you were NOT in a 'chat room' unless you signed into one. If you signed in - you were in the forum but not the chat room.

So I may not understand how this chat set up works here on this forum.

I do know that some old chat rooms that had regular chatters used to set up a time from a specific time in the evening until whatever time so if a bunch of people or a few people wanted to chat... the room had people in it. Discussions varied to all subjects not only firearms but from what gather that would be different here just like the forum rules. So no politics or religion or stuff like that would be allowed here in this chat room - same as the forum rules. NO problem.

Those old style chat rooms closed up when MSN closed up their thousands of forums or boards.

So if some of you do decide to chat and want to meet other HENRY and pro gun people... set up a time and maybe you can meet up.

I want my MT husband to join this forum so he can talk about hunting, fishing, guns and the great outdoors but I don't know if he will.

Added more:

My late husband used to try to chat on and off with some of our friends online but he did not type fast. My MT husband can type pretty fast and types much faster than I do. He uses all fingers and I do not. Typing was never my forte' even though I do write quite a bit. I used to write much more 'online' compared to now. I am writing about my first year out here - living up in the Sapphire Mountains. That year was after I moved out west after my late husband died.

My husband went to some places these last couple of weeks that he had not been in for years and some were brand new to him. They were new to his hunting buddy too. Plus an old coworker had a cool hunting story that involved two grizzly bears too. That was in and around the same place that my husband was in on the same weekend with his buddy too. NOT too far from 'The Bob' aka the BOB MARSHALL WILDERNESS - the edge of it. I know that he would enjoy talking about his stories and listening/reading your stories too! So maybe he will join up here and 'chat'.

I may need to read how you have this set up all over again. Thank you for the ear.

Cate
Typos and added more.

[daytime dave]

Cate,

This chat is always there. It has a few options, but I turned them all on. You can participate or not. So far, it's only on the home screen.

Al, I'm sure this place will treat new members the best way possible, as we always have.

So far, chat seems to be interesting.

[Mistered]

Chat rooms seem to have lost their popularity through the years. I used to participate in some years ago and pretty much enjoyed them, but I don't hardly ever see any anymore.

Pretty much depends on the number of overall forum members. My experience is chat rooms wind up being used by just a few who seem to log on at similar times and chat about this and that, what they are doing etc. With this forum having so few members there are never enough on at any given time for this to take place and lets face it - not everyone is a 'talker' and simply do not want to engage in a 'chat' . Time will tell however. Otherwise it looks like people are just using it to post general messages.

[Sir Henry]

I see it included whenever I make a post too.

[White Squirrel]

I see it included whenever I make a post too.

Between you and Ranch Roper, that could clog it up completely.

[Catherine]

Edited:

I think that I figured it out that when you type on the forum that you are not in the chat room. I looked at it wrong when I saw it on the main page. Sorry about that!

Cate