Navigation Bar-Don't allow "Guests" to see the Chat Room Link

[DerBear]

As I was logging into Virtual Teen today I saw that guests can see that we have a chat room. Although guests cannot access the chat room, they can still see the link to it. Now if we were not to make the chat room show up on the navigation bar. This could effectively reduce the amount of people that might sign up to purposely go into the chat and do questionable acts.

I know it won't stop idiots and pervs signing up to VT and discovering that chat room once they sign up. However it might reduce some of them from signing up to just go into the chat room.

Anyway it is just a suggestion.

[Infidelitas]

If possible, I am for this. I don't see it necessary to have it there for the public to see.

[DerBear]

If possible, I am for this. I don't see it necessary to have it there for the public to see.

I think it might be. As the old IRC used to be available for guest to see and access the link

This was the thread Brandon made about making available for members only to see the link --> Thread (http://www.virtualteen.org/forums/showthread.php?t=104736)
So although guests cannot access the chat seeing the link would encourage them to register and then go onto spam or do questionable things in the chat. I know mods get around rather frequently but it seems when the mods are not around the chat gets frequently attacked by various people.

[ImCoolBeans]

Not all of the members here are aware that we have a chat in the first place, and it's basically slapped right in their faces, so by removing this I think we'd just be making the chat a lot less crowded and somewhat hiding it from more members. Chat is a bit expensive to let die and get virtually no traffic.

If it can be done for only members to see in the navigation bar I don't think it's a bad idea, but removing it totally basically defeats the purpose of having a chat, since I think it will begin to die out.

[DerBear]

If it can be done for only members to see in the navigation bar I don't think it's a bad idea, but removing it totally basically defeats the purpose of having a chat, since I think it will begin to die out.

Sorry I explained that badly. I meant make it so members only can see it. Instead of guests being able to see it. Make it registered members only.

[ImCoolBeans]

Sorry I explained that badly. I meant make it so members only can see it. Instead of guests being able to see it. Make it registered members only.

Okay, then I don't think that's a bad idea.

[Jess]

I agree. guests should not be able to see it

[Rayquaza]

On the other hand, say someone needed immediate help and stumbled across this site, saw the chat room had people in it and needed help immediately, it could be some sort of incentive to sign up and get help?

[DerBear]

On the other hand, say someone needed immediate help and stumbled across this site, saw the chat room had people in it and needed help immediately, it could be some sort of incentive to sign up and get help?

Yep but that is a two way streak mate. It could help someone. Yet and I say YET, it could lead to more people signing up to get contact details off of people in the chat. I feel I have seen more wrong do-ers with less than 10 posts in the chat than I have seen people who need help.

Plus sometimes the chat isn't the place to seek out help. Depending on what is being discussed.

[ImCoolBeans]

While I don't think it's a bad idea, I do have to agree with Sandeep here; and I also don't really think it's that big of a deal because we're still going to have all of the same people sign up regardless. Just instead of seeing chat the instant they find the site they'll see it when they sign up. We also have a forum called VirtualTeen chat, they can see this discussion happening as we have it, and it's sort of implied that a large forum would have a chat feature (most do).

[Jupiter]

I actually think that we should have it be seen, so that some people who aren't going to sign up see it, and then they did because they needed help, and would prefer live help as opposed to a thread.

[Maverick]

It doesn't make any sense for guests not to see the chat room link.

[Donkey]

I agree. guests should not be able to see it
Jess, all you ever seem to do is agree. Try posting something a little more thoughtful and constructive.

I actually think that we should have it be seen, so that some people who aren't going to sign up see it, and then they did because they needed help, and would prefer live help as opposed to a thread.
I'd agree with Eric here, while there may be negative consequences to having the link, these can easily be dealt with. We're a help site and should give the best platform for support possible