The Shout Box...

[deadpie]

I really don't see the point in it anymore. You see, that bad excuse for a Chat Room that we're sharing with Govteen really isn't anything exciting nor do that many people use it. People can get infractions for having a conversation in the shoutbox? That sounds a little over dramatic to me. I can just see so many pointless infractions rolling in from something like that.

So I'm suggesting we should either go back to the old Chat Room or just get rid of the shoutbox.

Uh, my other suggestion is that at least ONE single suggestion gets approved some time this year. Like I don't see anything on this entire board that's actually been added thanks to the idea of another member (Who's not a moderator or administrator). The most I can really think of is the Planes, Trains, and Automobiles board which I'm sure Airbus had the full idea in starting (My big guess, could be wrong). That wouldn't count though because he's a moderator.

[Commander Thor]

More people use the chatroom than most people think.
The primary reason people think it's dead all the time, is because they join, wait a minute, then quit. No one ever stays long enough for a conversation to start back up again.
Not to mention, the ~6-8 regulars FROM VT are usually chatting in #lobby. Because, you know, the guys are #lobby /are/ actually pretty cool to talk to.

[Bougainvillea]

More people use the chatroom than most people think.
The primary reason people think it's dead all the time, is because they join, wait a minute, then quit. No one ever stays long enough for a conversation to start back up again.
Not to mention, the ~6-8 regulars FROM VT are usually chatting in #lobby. Because, you know, the guys are #lobby /are/ actually pretty cool to talk to.

I have never had any kind of memorable interaction with anyone in the chatroom. I remember the feeling of an actual community in the old chat, if that counts. It was always fun to go and talk, and someone worth talking to was usually in there, instead of new people saying "hey wats up u wanna chat?" And that's all they say.

The lobby is typically empty for me, and the other people are usually from govteen and they are usually talking about deepthroating or pokemon which, I'm sorry, just doesn't, interest me.

[Scarface]

I really don't see the point in it anymore. You see, that bad excuse for a Chat Room that we're sharing with Govteen really isn't anything exciting nor do that many people use it. People can get infractions for having a conversation in the shoutbox? That sounds a little over dramatic to me. I can just see so many pointless infractions rolling in from something like that.

So I'm suggesting we should either go back to the old Chat Room or just get rid of the shoutbox.

Uh, my other suggestion is that at least ONE single suggestion gets approved some time this year. Like I don't see anything on this entire board that's actually been added thanks to the idea of another member (Who's not a moderator or administrator). The most I can really think of is the Planes, Trains, and Automobiles board which I'm sure Airbus had the full idea in starting (My big guess, could be wrong). That wouldn't count though because he's a moderator.

Although I understand and partially agree with what you stated about the shoutbox, but in reality it is pretty fun to use when there isn't an entire page dedicated to an argument. And not to call anyone out, but this morning was a perfect example of poor usage of the shoutbox. Are you allowed you to have a few lines dedicated to a short convo? Sure, but don't sit there and go back and forth as if it were the chatroom. The only time when the nail is hammered down is when we have an incident like this morning. Otherwise if it's a few lines, we don't mind that and we won't and wouldn't heavily police it.

The old chat; as incredible as it was may or may not come back pending my money situation. And also no offense or anything, but people really didn't respect the chat either, so unfortunately along with insufficient funds available, the past behavior of other members hinders the choice for the future. So if we did go back, which reflect heavily upon because it was an enjoyable system and experience, but I would come up with a whole new way of moderating it. So until I personally come to the conclusion it won't be back. As some people do use the chat room, but it doesn't have as abundant of a crowd as the past one did. Which I do agree isn't - as fun, but it's what we have to work with for now.

As an administrator, and a member I do see your point in some suggestions being over looked on this board, but in reality, the staff do look and consider these suggestions made. As I do remember being a member myself as I still am, and thinking how VT could be made a better place and community as a whole. Even though a lot of the suggestions are denied, they are considered, which means they aren't ignored and they have been looked at. We just try to remain a priority help site which is our primary subject here. So we don't always have the bells and whistles that other sites have because in reality, bells and whistles isn't what started this website in the first place. It started with the members, and and one mission; helping others and getting help.
We just don't want to be or turn into anything like Facebook because as you can see, we have a lot of inappropriate activity issues to combat and we try to minimize any chances of those activities from occurring, so we sometimes sacrifice the bells and whistles if that means having potential for dangerous activity and / steering away from the mission. If this makes sense?

So in reality; everyone has a voice here. Everyone is entitles and more than welcomed to state their opinion on changes and help with suggestions. Does this mean all of them will happen? No. You can say that for virtually any website you come across, but we try to make the best and utmost quality and enjoyable experience possible on Virtual Teen with the modifications and features available to you. Not much goes in-noticed. I appreciate your suggestion, it will be discussed, but for the present moment until it is decided, it's remaining this way for the time being.

[Maverick]

To comment on suggestions. A lot of the reason why they get denied too is because they simply aren't possible with the vbulletin software. Certain features suggested would require extensive background in programming which I never had

[Origami]

Although I understand and partially agree with what you stated about the shoutbox, but in reality it is pretty fun to use when there isn't an entire page dedicated to an argument. And not to call anyone out, but this morning was a perfect example of poor usage of the shoutbox. Are you allowed you to have a few lines dedicated to a short convo? Sure, but don't sit there and go back and forth as if it were the chatroom. The only time when the nail is hammered down is when we have an incident like this morning. Otherwise if it's a few lines, we don't mind that and we won't and wouldn't heavily police it.
Finances seem to be a very heavy issue around here quite often. Why doesn't VT open a donations link? So long as the funds only go to site maintenance and hosting, I don't see a problem with it. I'm sure several VT members, primarily the veterans, would make donations. Yes, most members are too young to have a bank account for said donation, but there is a large number of members aged 17 to 20 here who could and possibly would donate. Some would likely make small monthly contributions.

The old chat; as incredible as it was may or may not come back pending my money situation. And also no offense or anything, but people really didn't respect the chat either, so unfortunately along with insufficient funds available, the past behavior of other members hinders the choice for the future. So if we did go back, which reflect heavily upon because it was an enjoyable system and experience, but I would come up with a whole new way of moderating it. So until I personally come to the conclusion it won't be back. As some people do use the chat room, but it doesn't have as abundant of a crowd as the past one did. Which I do agree isn't - as fun, but it's what we have to work with for now.
This is because you used site mods to mod the chat room. And as good as they were, that wasn't their primary focus. The only mods I've seen put in a big interest in modding it were Thomas, Calum, and Airbus. I think you did for a while too. But really, most mods are focused on the forums, and the chat room is an oversight to them and nothing more. Get two or three chat room specific mods, people who dedicate large amounts of time there and know VT rules as well as the slight lenience the chat room tends to carry with it.

[Scarface]

To put it bluntly, I'm just not sure what happened to the donate button, but to be honest here, I really don't like that idea. As stupid as this may sound people are sometimes after giving feel that they are 'entitled' to things. I think that button will be more specifically up to Anthony since he has the funding here, but once I get my money right, which is happening slowly, these summer months kill me, but if I happen to get up, I'll throw down. And don't call it a heavy issue because if it were a "heavy issue'' then this place would be shut down ;) so it's the unnecessary things that are more so neglected than, just saying yeah I'll throw up $150 just for a like button and one other feature xD. Anthony as well as myself and other people that do work know full on that we work extremely hard to the bone for what little money is made. So especially myself try to be mindful of what I spend.

And to go onto your chat mods thing. Lol, dude there was a gigantic debate back in the day about making 'certain' members chat mods and to put it bluntly; it ain't happening. That is just too much shit over absolutely nothing. I will come up with something iff it does come down to getting the chat back. The chat room moderation is what we train when mods are hired when I became a mod and it's what we do by-the-books as in tool wise and situations and for the forums. So no, regular members will not be moderating the chatroom unless I could come up with some sort of an alternative or medium.

[Magus]

More people use the chatroom than most people think.
The primary reason people think it's dead all the time, is because they join, wait a minute, then quit. No one ever stays long enough for a conversation to start back up again.
Not to mention, the ~6-8 regulars FROM VT are usually chatting in #lobby. Because, you know, the guys are #lobby /are/ actually pretty cool to talk to.

http://www.virtualteen.org/forums/picture.php?albumid=1487&pictureid=19008

Back then, we had to scroll for minutes for a 2 minute conversation between, at least, 4 people.

[Commander Thor]

Terribly sorry for playing trivia in #trivia, and chatting in the active discussion in #lobby.

[Magus]

Terribly sorry for playing trivia in #trivia, and chatting in the active discussion in #lobby.Proves that we all aren't good with the IRC. Oh, look, I am fucking hacker! I can do magic with this computer!

Shit.

[Scarface]

image (http://www.virtualteen.org/forums/picture.php?albumid=1487&pictureid=19008)

Back then, we had to scroll for minutes for a 2 minute conversation between, at least, 4 people.

In soviet russia chat scrolls you. Though no use in trying to battle something that we can't quite fix yet. Until then, I think we can handle the IRC eh?

[Magus]

In soviet russia chat scrolls you. Though no use in trying to battle something that we can't quite fix yet. Until then, I think we can handle the IRC eh?I think there are user-friendly versions of IRCs.

Here is one. (http://www.mibbit.com/) Oh, you can't afford that? But it says free right there!

[Commander Thor]

There are plent of user-friendly IRC clients, such as Mibbit, yes.
Mibbit can even go so far as to integrate with the userlist, so it will automatically use the username you have on the forum, unless it's already taken.
But, I *think* mibbit has been blocked on our IRC server, as Mibbit is greatly used for attacks.

Something everyone who doesn't like the chat simply because it's ugly should look into, is a client called 'mIRC' (if you use Windows), it can be customized and themed to anything you like.
xChat is another /really/ good IRC client that is cross-platform.

[Magus]

But, I *think* mibbit has been blocked on our IRC server, as Mibbit is greatly used for attacks.

Something everyone who doesn't like the chat simply because it's ugly should look into, is a client called 'mIRC' (if you use Windows), it can be customized and themed to anything you like. Chat is another /really/ good IRC client that is cross-platform.The only part I did understand is "everyone who doesn't like the chat" - the rest was foreign technobabble to me. <- I am being serious, not sarcastic.

(Why does everything what I say seem sarcastic? :what:)

[mrbob360]

i think we should have our chat room then if you wish to add members as friends after having a good chat you know that they are from VT and not any other site and as someone said earlier there should be separate chat moderators to enable better security : ) and let it be safer for members.

[Sith Lord 13]

I wonder how many other people (besides me) can't get into the irc chat and just don't bother complaining about it.

/idle thought

[mrbob360]

I wonder how many other people (besides me) can't get into the irc chat and just don't bother complaining about it.

/idle thought

its alright but you cant really tell who your chatting to so i dont use it whereas if we had our own chat room we would be able to tell who we are chatting to

[deadpie]

I think there are user-friendly versions of IRCs.

Here is one. (http://www.mibbit.com/) Oh, you can't afford that? But it says free right there!

Oh yes. Mibbit is so much better than that plain boring chat room we have. And it's free.

Yeah, I really miss that old shout box where it didn't matter what time it was, there was always someone in there and always a conversation going on.

Plus, I'm not really interested in this sharing with Govteen thing. The users over there can come over any time they want to. It's kind of annoying.

Commander Thor, every time I've entered the chat room there's about three or four people. They don't talk. Actually, the only people I get to talk are these random guests who ask me, "ASL" and shit like that, which leads me to send them pictures of bloody corpses.

Uh, even the fact that people who aren't registered can come in the Chat Room is really lame and annoying.

I mean FUCK. There's a p101 chat? What the hell? We didn't have that in the old chatroom. Is that really necessary?

----------------------------

About the shoutbox... I think pulling infractions over it is just dumb. Too much of an over exaggeration. Maybe the reason some people want to chat in there is because the IRC... is pretty bad?

People have been chatting in the shoutbox for a looooong time now. I don't see why it's all of a sudden become an issue or why it really matters.