Since the topic is new, I'm starting a new thread for it...
In response to Cowboy's question, yes, a real-time chat is a possibility. As BobT mentioned, we did have a small chat going over the winter months in 1998. At that time, the site and user base was nowhere near the size it is now... we did not continue the chat when the Kubota Tractor Source opened.
I could take some suggestions on this as well as ideas. Specific times to have the chat, or a room open all the time? Moderated or open? Topic-based or free to drift? Guest users or just users? Rooms for different brands or one room covering everything?
My initial thoughts would be a set time for the chat, either daily or certain days in a week. User moderation to prevent abusive users corrupting the chat, but no content moderation. Topics would be the week's most popular threads, and whatever else came up, unless a special guest was present, in which case there would be a specific topic to talk about with that guest. And finally, one room for all, unless it got too large (25+ users at one time, which is a realistic number considering the average number of users online at one time here on the forum)
So, please post your feedback and ideas and I'll see about the technical issues involved. Any chat experts are welcome to give their ideas and suggestions. As BobT suggested, if anyone is interested in volunteering as a 'helper', please send me an e-mail or private message.
In response to Cowboy's question, yes, a real-time chat is a possibility. As BobT mentioned, we did have a small chat going over the winter months in 1998. At that time, the site and user base was nowhere near the size it is now... we did not continue the chat when the Kubota Tractor Source opened.
I could take some suggestions on this as well as ideas. Specific times to have the chat, or a room open all the time? Moderated or open? Topic-based or free to drift? Guest users or just users? Rooms for different brands or one room covering everything?
My initial thoughts would be a set time for the chat, either daily or certain days in a week. User moderation to prevent abusive users corrupting the chat, but no content moderation. Topics would be the week's most popular threads, and whatever else came up, unless a special guest was present, in which case there would be a specific topic to talk about with that guest. And finally, one room for all, unless it got too large (25+ users at one time, which is a realistic number considering the average number of users online at one time here on the forum)
So, please post your feedback and ideas and I'll see about the technical issues involved. Any chat experts are welcome to give their ideas and suggestions. As BobT suggested, if anyone is interested in volunteering as a 'helper', please send me an e-mail or private message.
