Chat threads

[tech]

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.

I doubt very much people would 'abandon' the threads - it's just something else to do - if you're in a 'chatty' mood you'd probably do what I do - have 2 windows open - one with the threads, one with the chat (oh and one with yatzy, one with competitions, emails...........oh dearI really must get a life )

I've never known forums to 'lose out' because of a chat room! I think you're all over reacting - give it a chance will you!

no tablecloth woman!!!! How could we do without her!!! It wouldnt be fair....Stamps feet and sulks.

AAGHHHHHH...run away, run away, SAVE yourselves.

overreact? Moi?

I don't think it would be lost though - people wouldn't go into chat for advice and information, they would only go in for a laugh and gossip. The normal things would still be threads.

Thats what it should be anyway - would you really ask advice in the chatroom where there are only a selection of people there at that time, or post it in a thread where everyone can see it and respond?

I love the fact that even if a discussion starts in the middle of the night I can still come and read it in the morning or a month later because it hasn't disappeared into the ether. I have often searched on and linked to past threads and think it's part of what makes mn so amazing and so useful - we don't get the chance to do that irl.

TVI - pmsl

Hmmm...a sell-out you say...interesting...

Have-we-had-a-vote-yet?
Old-girls-like-me-who-say-No-form-a-line

It makes no odds to me, TBH. Am I an old girl ? Been around for 2 years....

Ks, here's a chat forum, albeit not a parenting one, just searched on any one . Mainly chat rooms are full of How r u? iam ok ty, u? asl? (meaning age, sex, location) can I pm u? (can I send you a private message), mostly bollocks imo, vacuous stuff.

I am in that line against a chat room. Definitely.

Enid Says NO

Two new threads now started - a yes one and a no one... just go and stick your name in your choice!

Oh, and I have never been in a parenting chatroom that had any kind of cyber sex. No-one wanting asl or pms - just gossip and giggles.

LOL WWW - there are so many chat rooms out there you can't put them all into the same boat!!

That's like saying all forums are the same!!!

I don't use ANY chatrooms like that! And those that 'are' like it are genereally ones open to 'anyone' without even having to register!

Yes, ks, meant to refer you to that!

ha ha ks at WWIII! Gwenick, I know they're not all the same but I still don't think one would improve mumsnet, the opposite in fact.

I agree www, I've not used chatrooms because I find them irritating.

I don't think people have 'proper' conversations on them, so I think the humourous stuff 'like the grapes thread' will stay on the threads, while mostly the people who tend to chat to MNers that they already know well will use the chatroom, you know like the insaniacs or the bar, things like that.

ks> camilla is old and ugly innit?