Chat Rooms

**dually** · 02-06-2008, 12:19 PM

I have been thinking about adding a chat box to my site in the side menu. I am worried though that it will be counter productive to the forum as chat messages might take away from members posting and stunt the growth of the forum. What do you think?

**momdom** · 02-06-2008, 01:42 PM

I had a chat room and I didnt really see any ill affects to the forum. I know some people will say it does but mine didnt.

**Cori** · 02-06-2008, 03:41 PM

Are you adding a Chat "room" or chat "box? Like a shoutbox? The shoutbox's out there are major resource hogs so just becareful about that. I use a chatroom that you can actually specify the times of use so we only have it open at certain times of the day for scheduled chats. Seems to work great for us!

**momdom** · 02-06-2008, 04:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cori

Are you adding a Chat "room" or chat "box? Like a shoutbox? The shoutbox's out there are major resource hogs so just becareful about that. I use a chatroom that you can actually specify the times of use so we only have it open at certain times of the day for scheduled chats. Seems to work great for us!

Wow, that is cool I didnt know those even existed, care to share which chat program you use? If not I understand.

**Cori** · 02-06-2008, 05:35 PM

Oh sure! I recommend this one to everyone! lol

Java Chat Software - AddonChat I don't use the free version which is limited. I pay monthly for mine. It's a great deal and my members love it.

**Caddyman** · 02-06-2008, 06:38 PM

I use tufat's flashchat. It's nice and easy to use and integrate in vB. I had a shoutbox. i felt it was taking a tad from the forum and people would get dirty sometimes in it. when i took it away (or rather it went away) i saw my highest post day ever (432) which i thought was cool, may be coincidence though

**dually** · 02-06-2008, 07:55 PM

I don't know the difference between a chatroom and a shoutbox. I will have to look in to that. I have been looking at cbox because it is cheap and will fit into the side box of my site. I do want the limit the time and day that the chat is open otherwise

**Oldiesmann** · 02-11-2008, 06:42 PM

A shoutbox is a small box (like what cbox offers) where users can leave messages for you or other members. A chatroom offers users the ability to communicate with each other in real time, and messages are often not visible to other members.

For shoutbox scripts, I'd recommend paBox - it's hosted on your site (not someone else's), which gives you full control over everything.

For chatrooms - it depends on what you're looking for. If you want something that users can only access from your site, FlashChat is quite good. If you'd prefer to allow users to access the chatroom using software of their choice, you might want to look into IRC (see Internet Relay Chat (IRC) Help if you're not familiar with IRC; Google can provide you with info on the various IRC networks, scripts, etc.).

02-06-2008, 12:19 PM	#1
dually Rookie Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 21	Chat Rooms I have been thinking about adding a chat box to my site in the side menu. I am worried though that it will be counter productive to the forum as chat messages might take away from members posting and stunt the growth of the forum. What do you think?

02-06-2008, 03:41 PM	#3
Cori Forum Addict Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Florida Posts: 1,551	Are you adding a Chat "room" or chat "box? Like a shoutbox? The shoutbox's out there are major resource hogs so just becareful about that. I use a chatroom that you can actually specify the times of use so we only have it open at certain times of the day for scheduled chats. Seems to work great for us! __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

02-06-2008, 05:35 PM	#5
Cori Forum Addict Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Florida Posts: 1,551	Oh sure! I recommend this one to everyone! lol Java Chat Software - AddonChat I don't use the free version which is limited. I pay monthly for mine. It's a great deal and my members love it. __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

02-06-2008, 06:38 PM	#6
Caddyman Forum Addict Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Delaware Posts: 1,342	I use tufat's flashchat. It's nice and easy to use and integrate in vB. I had a shoutbox. i felt it was taking a tad from the forum and people would get dirty sometimes in it. when i took it away (or rather it went away) i saw my highest post day ever (432) which i thought was cool, may be coincidence though __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. boomshockalacka

02-11-2008, 06:42 PM	#8
Oldiesmann Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Cincinnati, Ohio Posts: 72	A shoutbox is a small box (like what cbox offers) where users can leave messages for you or other members. A chatroom offers users the ability to communicate with each other in real time, and messages are often not visible to other members. For shoutbox scripts, I'd recommend paBox - it's hosted on your site (not someone else's), which gives you full control over everything. For chatrooms - it depends on what you're looking for. If you want something that users can only access from your site, FlashChat is quite good. If you'd prefer to allow users to access the chatroom using software of their choice, you might want to look into IRC (see Internet Relay Chat (IRC) Help if you're not familiar with IRC; Google can provide you with info on the various IRC networks, scripts, etc.). __________________ The Oldiesmann To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Compliance Manager / Marketing Team member To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. - RC1 now available!

02-06-2008, 01:42 PM	#2
momdom Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: CA Posts: 135	I had a chat room and I didnt really see any ill affects to the forum. I know some people will say it does but mine didnt.

02-06-2008, 07:55 PM	#7
dually Rookie Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 21	I don't know the difference between a chatroom and a shoutbox. I will have to look in to that. I have been looking at cbox because it is cheap and will fit into the side box of my site. I do want the limit the time and day that the chat is open otherwise

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