Mark forum idea

FTSE · #1 (**permalink**) 05-24-2007, 10:12 AM

Hi Mark

I really like the new forum, and just had an idea when I saw who else was online at the same time as me.

What is the possibility of doing instant chat with one another via the forum? I thought it would be great, that way we could chat to each other about other topics as well.

I would be interesting to a) find out if it was possible and b) see what other regular forum readers/posters think about the idea?

cheers

markadmin · #2 (**permalink**) 05-24-2007, 11:21 AM

It is not a bad idea, but I found in the past not many people used it on a non-travel related forum I used to run. Although chat rooms are a good idea, they have sort of been overtaken and even been made redundant by instant messaging such as skype. Having said that, next time I spend time researching what are called add-ons, I will keep my eyes open. The problem there again is that add-ons are not from the forum writers but from 3rd parties, and then I have to consider other technical issues, not least security. Unfortunately web site hacking and defacing is at an all time high and getting worse. Forums and other “upload” / “put” (interactive) sites are targeted by people looking for vulnerabilities so they can post some hate message (take a look at a web site called Zone H, at their attacks archive to see the extent of this problem). If you look at my message, you will see little icons at the bottom for ICQ, Yahoo Instant Messenger and Skype (top right hand corner). You can do the same too and then click someone else’s Yahoo or whatever icon to chat with them that way. I know that is not the answer you would probably like, but I will take a look to see if there are any well behaved instant chat add-ons.

PS Sorry I had to move your post to this section

markadmin · #3 (**permalink**) 05-28-2007, 03:32 PM

I have found two on vbulletin.org but they both appear to have serious issues (problems) right now. For your information, the forum software I use was updated recently to cover some bugs and a security hole. The trouble with these updates is they often screw other things up - I had terrible problems after I updated with some facilities. So I think it is a really good idea. I am sure I will do it. But I think I will wait for the chat add-ons to be fully compatible with the version (the latest) of forum software I use.

jaxw17 · #4 (**permalink**) 05-29-2007, 08:28 AM

I would be interested in this .....but may not use it as you know how quiet I am !!!!!!!!!!!!