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Chat threads

339 replies

tech · 09/03/2005 00:21

We are going to start "retiring" threads in the _chat topic once they are over 30 days old.

What this means is that once they are 30 days old (since last contribution rather than since starting) you won't be able to add messages to them any more - they'll still be in the archive search, they just won't have the "add a message" box at the bottom, and they won't be in the thread lists under the topic. This list is at over 8500 entries currently and becoming useless.

If archive searching starts to slow down, we might start deleting chat threads from the board altogehter after a certain time. As the content of these threads tends to be chats (surprisingly enough) rather than requests for information, there's not a huge amount of point keeping them for future reference.

On the subject of chat, we are currently test-driving chatroom software with a view to putting a live chatroom up on the site - for them as wants.

OP posts:
flamesparrow · 09/03/2005 10:10

A chatroom would be like a group chat on something like messenger - all the posts flow up the screen as you're writing, you can all see who is about, and you can delete what you're writing halfway through if someone says what you were saying etc, rather than the crossing over of posts. It is more like a flowing conversations than lots of posts.

Does that make sense? You can't go in and come back to see what you've missed of that conversation during the day, like you can with threads, but the conversation flows more easily, and takes on its own life more.

SeaShells · 09/03/2005 10:09

It would of cause make MN even more adictive, as you would never leave incase you missed something, at least now I know that when I sign off I can come back later and check what has happened since I was gone.

Snugs · 09/03/2005 10:08

Agree with katierocket.

Last nights thread was awful but would have got a lot nastier in a chatroom. I was very restrained in my post to a certain person simply because I knew my post would be recorded for posterity. Shame she couldn't have had the same restraint.

snafu · 09/03/2005 10:07

LOL seashells

flamesparrow · 09/03/2005 10:07

I like the idea of a chatroom - but then I'm new and still getting to grips with things. Its easier to see what's going on, and you don't get so many posts crossing over.

I don't think active convs would die out because a lot of the time I don't have time to go and stay ina chatroom, so I can only post as and when and join in with a conv like that - but then you get the evenings etc when sitting round for a girly gossip is easier. I expect many mummies are in the same situation.

There is room for both.

SeaShells · 09/03/2005 10:06

Exactly Snafu, and what if we aren't around at the time, we'll miss out!

bathmummy · 09/03/2005 10:06

can anyone spell out exactly how a chatroom differs from a thread? Sorry if it is a totally stupid question but how does it work, can fellow netters really kick out people entering the chatroom? how/why/when???? really confused

snafu · 09/03/2005 10:05

Ooooh nooooo, think of all the really bad cybersex that could occur....

katierocket · 09/03/2005 10:04

but part of what makes a 'community' is history - good or bad. If you're not online you can still catch up (and it's not always bad whatabout really funny threads that you might miss if it takes place in the chat room and you're not there). I think that's what gives this site a loyal following.

psychomum5 · 09/03/2005 10:03

nutcracker...i get lost sometimes on my chatroom, and just start doing (,jsfdsjhfsdadsajfhdsaf)....makes the others laugh, and they slow down for me then!!!!

HardcoreEnid · 09/03/2005 10:03

Maybe its just part of the lifecycle of a site...

fastasleep · 09/03/2005 10:03

I don't want any more fun around here!! Well I have to go be sick now lol (morning sickness) but I hope you guys work it all out in a sensible manner (don't let them have it tech they'll dessssstrrrrooooyyy us all!)

HardcoreEnid · 09/03/2005 10:02

Yes can see that

SeaShells · 09/03/2005 10:02

HardcoreEnid I think MN has got to the point now where people are saying what they like about people anyway, despite knowing that it will be recorded for all to see, I think MN are probably sick to death of all the deleting posts they have had to do recently, it would certainly make their job easier!

redsky · 09/03/2005 10:02

don't think I like this idea.

psychomum5 · 09/03/2005 10:02

yeah...it could get confusing...but sometimes that is half the fun!!!

psychomum5 · 09/03/2005 10:01

sex site.....LOL

katierocket · 09/03/2005 10:01

lol fastasleep
and enid - mums on sex...

nutcracker · 09/03/2005 10:01

Hmmm not sure i fancy the chatroom, how is it different to what we have now ?? If it is quicker then i'll be buggered cos i can't keep up now.

katierocket · 09/03/2005 10:00

but equally seashells that in particular was really important and is it right to be able to post that crap and 'get away with it' because it doesn't appear anywhere?

psychomum5 · 09/03/2005 10:00

exactly seashells.....there is no need for what went on last night really anyway, but at least there is no record, and like you say, it would probably blow over quicker too

fastasleep · 09/03/2005 10:00

Half of us would have no clue why certain people seemed to hate each other every five minutes and it would get very very confusing!

katierocket · 09/03/2005 09:59

wouldn't active conversations die a death as most people would go to chat room? or alternatively it could create a them and us type mentality?

HardcoreEnid · 09/03/2005 09:59

I used to post on a music site - the draw was the database which recommended new music to you. It was ace. Then as more people joined they split the chatroom into different sections - lo and behold, within 6 months it was a sex site.

Don't say I didn't warn you!

SeaShells · 09/03/2005 09:59

I agree psychomum5, in a chatroom things are said and then gone so things won't get half as heated as it is now, I wasn't even on here last night and logged on this morning to see the cr*p that was said on one of the threads last night, then I got all angry about it and so did many others and the thread continued and continued, if it had all been said in a chatroom, it would have blown over much quicker IYSWIM.

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