Comments on: Can chat rooms still add value to online communities? http://www.communityspark.com/online-communities-chat-rooms/ Community Building Tue, 31 Jan 2012 16:04:42 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.4 By: Christina http://www.communityspark.com/online-communities-chat-rooms/#comment-23754 Christina Tue, 23 Mar 2010 22:21:00 +0000 http://www.communityspark.com/?p=535#comment-23754 I came across this posting a little late. I typed the word "chat" into google to see how many results it would return 2 years after this post was created. The number is down to half of what it was, from 845 million to 440 million. I came across this posting a little late. I typed the word “chat” into google to see how many results it would return 2 years after this post was created. The number is down to half of what it was, from 845 million to 440 million.

]]> By: Martin Reed - Blog Author http://www.communityspark.com/online-communities-chat-rooms/#comment-16682 Martin Reed - Blog Author Mon, 06 Oct 2008 19:23:46 +0000 http://www.communityspark.com/?p=535#comment-16682 <strong>Guy</strong> - I don't think chat rooms need to have a set topic. Sure, you can suggest themes, but you should let people chat about anything they like (within your site rules) - after all, imagine trying to get a real life room of people to talk ONLY about one specific subject. Guy – I don’t think chat rooms need to have a set topic. Sure, you can suggest themes, but you should let people chat about anything they like (within your site rules) – after all, imagine trying to get a real life room of people to talk ONLY about one specific subject.

]]> By: Guy http://www.communityspark.com/online-communities-chat-rooms/#comment-16554 Guy Wed, 24 Sep 2008 22:15:50 +0000 http://www.communityspark.com/?p=535#comment-16554 One of the hardest things to do with running a chat server is keeping it on topic.. It's nearly impossible to police it all of the time, especially video and audio chats where log tracking is so hard to do.. Definitely making sure people know what you expect of them when they enter is a good thing, and a quick hand on the ban button helps too.. One of the hardest things to do with running a chat server is keeping it on topic.. It’s nearly impossible to police it all of the time, especially video and audio chats where log tracking is so hard to do..

Definitely making sure people know what you expect of them when they enter is a good thing, and a quick hand on the ban button helps too..

]]> By: Martin Reed - Blog Author http://www.communityspark.com/online-communities-chat-rooms/#comment-15404 Martin Reed - Blog Author Thu, 26 Jun 2008 22:23:09 +0000 http://www.communityspark.com/?p=535#comment-15404 <strong>Erin</strong> - Yup, I agree; chat rooms are evolving. The instant messenger programs will probably improve in terms of interoperability and website chat rooms will continue to become more accessible. It is also interesting to see new revenue generating techniques emerge. <strong>Larisa</strong> - You need to make it clear exactly what your site is for, and what is not permitted. Write up some rules, and promote these throughout your site. A clear, prominent mission statement would also help. Erin – Yup, I agree; chat rooms are evolving. The instant messenger programs will probably improve in terms of interoperability and website chat rooms will continue to become more accessible. It is also interesting to see new revenue generating techniques emerge.

Larisa – You need to make it clear exactly what your site is for, and what is not permitted. Write up some rules, and promote these throughout your site. A clear, prominent mission statement would also help.

]]> By: Larisa Spinks http://www.communityspark.com/online-communities-chat-rooms/#comment-15360 Larisa Spinks Tue, 24 Jun 2008 19:05:13 +0000 http://www.communityspark.com/?p=535#comment-15360 Hello, I would welcome some advice, we are running asocial networking site at present and trying to position it as non-adult, how do I keep guys off the site who only wish to sit in front of the webcam with their ding dong on display? Advice welcome! Hello,

I would welcome some advice, we are running asocial networking site at present and trying to position it as non-adult, how do I keep guys off the site who only wish to sit in front of the webcam with their ding dong on display?

Advice welcome!

]]> By: Erin http://www.communityspark.com/online-communities-chat-rooms/#comment-14869 Erin Wed, 14 May 2008 17:57:46 +0000 http://www.communityspark.com/?p=535#comment-14869 Great article. I could not agree more. I do not think that chat rooms are disappearing. THey are evolving, however... so some chat sites will be depleted, but not without the replacement of new sites... the miracle of life. Use AIM and IMVU for example. AIM last evolved into animated smileys, whereas IMVU is animated chat... the room, everything is virtual. And now, even IMVU is evolving into a revenue business, selling credits and objects for people to purchase in order to make chatting more stylish. Great article. I could not agree more. I do not think that chat rooms are disappearing. THey are evolving, however… so some chat sites will be depleted, but not without the replacement of new sites… the miracle of life. Use AIM and IMVU for example. AIM last evolved into animated smileys, whereas IMVU is animated chat… the room, everything is virtual. And now, even IMVU is evolving into a revenue business, selling credits and objects for people to purchase in order to make chatting more stylish.

]]> By: Smiley http://www.communityspark.com/online-communities-chat-rooms/#comment-14860 Smiley Tue, 13 May 2008 14:12:01 +0000 http://www.communityspark.com/?p=535#comment-14860 I believe it's only US legislation, since ChatBlazer is US, they've had to conform to the law and so have I, being on their servers. About 65% of our visitors are American anyway for some reason. Here's a snippet; ChatBlazer Helps Companies Meet New Mandatory Government Compliance Requirements Winston-Salem, NC December 18, 2006 -- Friday, December 1, 2006, a story hit news stations nationwide that would change businesses forever. The U.S. Supreme Court administration approved rules that would require businesses to track e-mails, instant messages (IMs), and other electronic communications and store that data for use in litigation that affects the business. Many businesses will now have to deal with the stress of finding software solutions that comply with these new rules. Link; http://www.chatblazer.com/news__a__events/press__releases/pr1166472886000.html I've had to include this in my privacy policy to make sure my users know they can trust me. I only ever read public transcripts. I never, ever, EVER read private transcripts <i>unless</i> there has been a serious complaint via the contact form. Only <i>I</i> have access to the transcripts, too. Privacy Policy on transcripts; http://www.friendlychatrooms.co.uk/privacy.html I believe it’s only US legislation, since ChatBlazer is US, they’ve had to conform to the law and so have I, being on their servers. About 65% of our visitors are American anyway for some reason.

Here’s a snippet;
ChatBlazer Helps Companies Meet New Mandatory Government Compliance Requirements

Winston-Salem, NC December 18, 2006 — Friday, December 1, 2006, a story hit news stations nationwide that would change businesses forever. The U.S. Supreme Court administration approved rules that would require businesses to track e-mails, instant messages (IMs), and other electronic communications and store that data for use in litigation that affects the business. Many businesses will now have to deal with the stress of finding software solutions that comply with these new rules.

Link;
http://www.chatblazer.com/news__a__events/press__releases/pr1166472886000.html

I’ve had to include this in my privacy policy to make sure my users know they can trust me. I only ever read public transcripts. I never, ever, EVER read private transcripts unless there has been a serious complaint via the contact form.

Only I have access to the transcripts, too.

Privacy Policy on transcripts;
http://www.friendlychatrooms.co.uk/privacy.html

]]> By: Martin Reed - Blog Author http://www.communityspark.com/online-communities-chat-rooms/#comment-14824 Martin Reed - Blog Author Mon, 12 May 2008 18:04:23 +0000 http://www.communityspark.com/?p=535#comment-14824 <strong>Sandra</strong> - I would never eject someone just because they weren't publicly getting involved; as you say, they may just be getting a feel for the community. The truth is, it is impossible to determine who is an 'undesirable' user without seeing what they are saying. There is nothing to stop undercover staff from using the chat room, though - they can then take action if such users initiate conversations of a nature that you do not want on your site. <strong>Cody</strong> - I agree with you. I think there is still a place for online chat rooms but sites need to be able to offer more if they want to retain their users. This is the reason why <a href="http://www.justchat.co.uk/" target="_blank">Just Chat</a> now has a forum, a <a href="http://www.justchat.co.uk/epals" target="_blank">free email penpals</a> section and <a href="http://www.justchat.co.uk/ecards" target="_blank">free ecards</a>. <strong>Smiley</strong> - I wasn't aware of the legislation you refer to, can you provide a link? Sandra – I would never eject someone just because they weren’t publicly getting involved; as you say, they may just be getting a feel for the community. The truth is, it is impossible to determine who is an ‘undesirable’ user without seeing what they are saying. There is nothing to stop undercover staff from using the chat room, though – they can then take action if such users initiate conversations of a nature that you do not want on your site.

Cody – I agree with you. I think there is still a place for online chat rooms but sites need to be able to offer more if they want to retain their users. This is the reason why Just Chat now has a forum, a free email penpals section and free ecards.

Smiley – I wasn’t aware of the legislation you refer to, can you provide a link?

]]> By: Smiley http://www.communityspark.com/online-communities-chat-rooms/#comment-14800 Smiley Sun, 11 May 2008 11:32:44 +0000 http://www.communityspark.com/?p=535#comment-14800 Oh, no. I wouldn't be libel. Just put a few more sentences in the TOS and I'm covered. Plus it's an optional feature, it isn't turned on all the time. They will 'request' cam similar to how it's done on MSN. Not sure if cam is private actually or group cam only. But if it's group we can see them. Anyone doing naughty things they shouldn't will be banned, despite paying for it. Oh, no. I wouldn’t be libel. Just put a few more sentences in the TOS and I’m covered. Plus it’s an optional feature, it isn’t turned on all the time. They will ‘request’ cam similar to how it’s done on MSN.

Not sure if cam is private actually or group cam only. But if it’s group we can see them. Anyone doing naughty things they shouldn’t will be banned, despite paying for it.

]]> By: Bat http://www.communityspark.com/online-communities-chat-rooms/#comment-14797 Bat Sun, 11 May 2008 06:32:15 +0000 http://www.communityspark.com/?p=535#comment-14797 Yes Tommy I know all private convos are logged, they are with us, I was asking how you moderate voice and video chat. If one user gets abuse whilst using this service,on your site, are you as the site owner libel in any way if it ISN,T moderated? I,m just not sure how this whole thing works and to be honest with you, I think that kind of thing is a perverts paradise. I mean just imagine dear old Tony using it. He finally gets to "see" who he is abusing. I,m glad that we don,t use it. As a "normal" user I certainly wouldn,t be comfortable using such a thing. Yes Tommy I know all private convos are logged, they are with us, I was asking how you moderate voice and video chat. If one user gets abuse whilst using this service,on your site, are you as the site owner libel in any way if it ISN,T moderated? I,m just not sure how this whole thing works and to be honest with you, I think that kind of thing is a perverts paradise. I mean just imagine dear old Tony using it. He finally gets to “see” who he is abusing. I,m glad that we don,t use it. As a “normal” user I certainly wouldn,t be comfortable using such a thing.

]]>