Closing the Chatroom?

I'm becoming very concerned that the people I see in the chatroom at 11 am are the same people I'm seeing at 2 pm, 5 pm, 8 pm, etc. It seems like every time I log on, I can predict at least half of who will be in the chat.

I'm concerned about this for a number reasons. One is that this is a community site, and I think the chatroom detracts from that somewhat. It ends up reinforcing cliques (I know many will deny this, but it's very true), and not enough interaction in the forums. Two is that this is a site for sharing literary works. The more time people spend in the chat, the less they review.

But most importantly, spending a lot of time in the chatroom just isn't healthy. It's not good for school, it's not good for socializing, and it's not good for developing oneself as a writer.

So I'm thinking about closing the chat.

Or maybe go back to having Moderators open it? Because the ones that I always see in Chat are generally not Mods.

I agree with this, though-- there can be too much of a good thing. And limiting Chat times would make it more of a special occasion again, instead of something to be taken advantage of. However, I'm not exactly enthusiastic about the prospect of having no Chat whatsoever?

Thanks for mentioning that Evi. If I did close the chat, it'd just return to the old system where chat was only open when a moderator opened it. Although, as an alternative, I could make it such that the chat was open only on weekends (regardless of whether a mod opens it or not).

Actually I think closing chat would be a good thing. It would indeed get forum activity up, which is much better for the human mind. I would support you if you closed it.

I do know that some people would be upset, but you know, computer isn't life. Nor is the chatroom.

I would like to see it closed, but that is mostly because I dislike most of the people in it personally. So take into mind other people, but you have my support.

Hmm.

I myself spend a lot of time in chat, which I apologize for but I do try to stay active on YWS.
I think limiting the chat times to certain periods like weekends is a good idea, it would limit the number of people that join this site for the chatroom. Maybe removing it from the home page would be a good idea?

I only go to chat, because I happen to be a lonely lass and this site is filled with intelligent, fun people to talk too.
I think, if you plan on removing the chat I would do it gradually so people would get use to spending their time doing other stuff on the site then, if you wish remove it completely. I'll be obliged to that though I'd be a little sad to not be able to talk freely with people I got to know a little better through chat. I understand your point Nate, that this is a writers site and that socializing isn't what it is made for.

Sidenote: I also do spend a lot of time in chat because I do have sleeping problems and nighttime is a quiet, lonely time for me. But people on during school hours is silly. School is school and your future, socializing with other members and throwing away your education is the person's choice, but I find it unreasonable.

I hope my opinion is any use to you.

Kamas

I'm for the idea of having chat open only when mods are there. But, limiting chat times sounds like a wonderful idea for numerous reasons, and it will encourage a lot more people to review come October first.

Would chat mods be able to open the chat as well?

I think opening it on weekends is probably the better of those options. Not that I would necessarily go for it myself. I'm not sure I agree on the community-front, given my interaction with new members is pretty much zero if you take away the chat (aside from the greets I do). I can't tell you how many people I've met, or who have said hello and engaged me in polite conversation in the chat.

It makes all of us that little bit more personable and easy to approach.

As for it affecting reviewing and such - can you go for more than 20 minutes in a packed chat without a link to someone's work popping up? It's so easy to ask for, and recieve help, instantly in the chat. I know it's easy to think and only see the negative in the chat, but there's plenty there to appreciate.

^^

OverEasy wrote:Would chat mods be able to open the chat as well?

Yep, definitely.

Eh, to be perfectly honest, I wouldn't cry over the chat being closed -- at least as long as it is still opened from time to time. It does seem to have gotten stale; it's all the same people, same topics of conversation. I do think it's a good community tool. Like Jiggly, I've met tons of people through chat. It does allow people to become friends faster.

Basically, as long as it's open some of the time, I'm fine with that. Moderation in all things.

Pork

I would personally weep emo tears of pain and sadness and write bad poetry to commemorate the passing of this historical icon.

Or, y'know, do homework instead.

Yeah, ever since it opened full time I haven't written as much. When I come on to write I always lie to myself, saying I will go to chat so I can ask questions as I write, though ending up closing word and throwing virtual pies. Plus, as Pork said, we always seem to hit the same subject. And these are boring ones. Most of the time it is what time zone you are in, the weather, and how tall you are. It gets really boring, and people will even stay there, not doing anything, starting at chat with out talking.

It probably won't make me review like crazy (cause I'm not a good reviewer, for many reasons) but probably I will write more, and want to post it to get hose tips. So I will need to review a lot more, and with increased rate, have more and more. And it might have the same effect(affect? Ergh) on some others as well.

Aye, Bolt; you bring up a good point. I doubt people would review more if we close the chat, but I agree people would write more. I fall for the chat trap all the time; you go in, and next thing you know, it's been an hour or two (or more!).

Kamas made another good point about taking it off the front page. Right now, it has a pretty sweet spot on the front page, which I would rather fill up with an announcement block. Perhaps move it to the front page of My YWS or to the Community page?

I think moving the chatroom link to MyYWS is a good idea, although the traffic will probably be better in Community. Out of the options, I like the Moderator open times better than the weekends. Which is only really because I'm not on during the weekends, usually, haha. Would you have to make the "weekend" cover three days or open it at a weird time? So that you'd have the weekend actually cover everyone's? That's my main issue with the weekend option, whether or not it will cover a good space for everyone. International websites. *shakes head*

Still, I think doing something is a good idea.

*Hearts* Le Penguin.

I actually very rarely use chat (didn't even know it was gone for at least a month the last time it was down), but when I do, it is a fun little thing I use to interact. You get to know people so much faster in a streaming enviroment like that.

At the same time, I personally wouldn't miss it all that much (if at all) if it were gone all together.