Chatbox removal discussion

[Ruth]

This might be a blanket rule, but it's also not simplistic at all, it's well founded advice. You shouldn't reveal things on the internet you don't want public.

I was going to reply to this but honestly it's quite offtopic.
Also I don't have any of the current regulars on fb so hatbox really is the only way I communicate with anyone on this site.

 

[Sherlock]

First thing I have to ask - if you could paragraph, that would be nice for readability.

As far as I can read, you are saying this...?

1. Don't remove chatbox
2. Implement rules - no UMAT/Medicine/etc discussion in chatbox and stricter rules
3. Increase the post limit as it is no longer relevant to new users with (2)
4. More staff to police chatbox

Yes.

 

[applecider]

It would be sad to see hatbox go, so change seems to be the only other option.
Voting for Ben's option 4 - "Implement rules for the hatbox and strictly follow them - any rule breaking is a temporary ban and a mark with successive bans leading to a permanent ban."

 

[rustyedges]

In response to "why not increase the post count required to post on the chatbox?" Making it difficult for new members to access information from people who are on here willing to give it would also detract quite heavily from the site. If a new member had to post 25 posts before they could speak to the majority of the community, there is something wrong with the site.

But if there is a post limit on the chatbox, new members are going to access information and interact with other members via the forums instead. New members asking questions is what generates the most useful discussion, so if they can only post in the forum rather than in the hatbox, there wouldn't be the problem of that discussion being only in the hatbox.

Hatbox can still be used for meta-discussion, random/instantaneous things that people wont really want to read in the future.

Up until about a year ago you needed 50 posts to access the hatbox. Members who have made some good posts that haven't been reported or anything are also probably less likely to cause trouble in hatbox.

I see where you're coming from in that it creates a two-tier system, but it also rewards those who are more active in the forum, and offers a more informal outlet than the forum itself.

 

[sirdaniel]

pls no i love chatbox

 

[Yamster]

I would like the chatbox to remain as well.

 

[Dazzy]

I agree with Mana.

 

[FlyingAce]

Harambe would like chatbox to remain.

 

[iStudent]

(selfish comment). I would vote stay - for the hatbox.
I can see how having a chit chat thread would boost forum activity, but personally I prefer the hatbox because of its accessibility and how it happens in real time. Much prefer not spam clicking the "View them" button every time someone posts.

But if the needs of the forum must prevail, then that is understandable. Just a minor adjustment

 

[Stuart]

Hi MSO,

I am pro-chatbox.

I witnessed the recent event(s) unfold and I understand where you are coming from @Mana and I do agree that removing chatbox will be beneficial (to an extent). However, I believe that is a bit too drastic but we need some changes, indeed. - it's kind of like 'avoiding/ignoring' the problem instead of 'fixing' it by getting rid of any potential triggers.

As most other members seem to agree, I think chatbox provides an excellent place for members to meet, socialise, relax, laugh and connect away from the 'formal' thread settings. The "instantaneous relay chat"/"live chat" feature is probably the most important feature that makes it excellent for such activities. I know that @Mana mentioned the "veiw them?" feature and it is a great feature but it just doesn't do the job. It it not the same as "live chat" It makes you have to click things and it creates a delay and I found it annoying especially when we have many participants commenting at a fast rate. Other members have already raised good points about chatbox so I won't repeat them. However, I disagree with those who think that the forum would suddenly die out as a consequence. I think there might be an instant decrease in activities but it should come back to normal level after a short while. After all, the general thread can allow us users to communicate in an informal setting (just not in the best way because chatbox is better )

I am pro-restriction also.

I really liked having the 50-post? restriction. I think it did more good than harm. Although I have no evidence, it appear to me that it was effective at preventing new members from asking questions etc on chatbox (which is one of the concerns that was pointed out). When we have the chat open to everyone it is SO easy for people to just ask there (I think this supports my claim that chatbox is easier/better for talking than the thread) rather than searching through the forum/posting new questions. However, I do agree some good, potential informative discussions frequently pass by without being archived. I think it will be challenging to completely stop this from happening but perhaps the active chatboxers can help out a little bit here. For example, refrain from starting/continuing any good discussions and/or promote users to start/continue them in a thread. - I don't think it is necessary to hire chatbox-police. If anything, just get more good moderators who could also do other jobs.

As mentioned in the beginning, I saw the recent problematic event(s) unfold and I must say it didn't go down to well. The fact that the comments are not archived didn't help resolve things. I see some members have suggest that we should archive chatbox 24/7 but I don't think that is necessary or efficient. I would rather suggest that we should promote users to 'screenshot' when necessary to archive any important information that need to be saved for later use (e.g. evidence for others/moderators to use for any disputes). There is also the 'report' feature that could be used - again, promote users to include screenshot for evidence.

To conclude/summaries:

• Keep the chatbox
• Bring back the 50-post restriction for chatbox (doesn't need to be 50 but something)
  
• We don't need chatbox-police
• Promote users to refrain from discussing useful, informative contents on chatbox
• Promote users to make use of the screenshot function where necessary

@Mana : It appears that the majority would love to see the chatbox stay. I hope my post (along with other members' posts with similar thoughts) will positively influence your (and other decision makers') decision. Chatbox is a great feature of MSO. It really is different from threads. We would love to keep having fun on it!

watch this space as I might edit (add) more thoughts!

Thank you.

 

[Sherlock]

Also, I think if the 24 hour archive is implemented on the hatbox, the right to edit or delete the messages from hatbox should be taken away. If the edit/delete function is there, it kind of defeats the purpose of 24 hour archive because one could easily write random stuff on the hatbox and later delete it before a mod is able to see it.

 

[Dr.Potato]

Also, I think if the 24 hour archive is implemented on the hatbox, the right to edit or delete the messages from hatbox should be taken away. If the edit/delete function is there, it kind of defeats the purpose of 24 hour archive because one could easily write random stuff on the hatbox and later delete it before a mod is able to see it.

Unless the archive also shows any edit/delete history

 

[Yamster]

I think the shout box should remain because the illuminati will soon take over and then when the new world order starts we will need a way to communicate. Jet fuel does not melt steel beams if you know what I am saying, the chat box remains an essential part of our community and our decleration of our constitution and independence plus civil liberties. Not as a way to segregate us based on our class, race, political views but as a way to unite us. It's on this day, the 4th of July that we shall declare our independence. We shall not go quietly into the night! We shall not vanish without a fight! We're going to live on! I need someone to implant the virus into the alien mothership btw.

I don't think removing the chat box will necessarily make people think before they post.

 

[Mana]

I think the shout box should remain because the illuminati will soon take over and then when the new world order starts we will need a way to communicate. Jet fuel does not melt steel beams if you know what I am saying, the chat box remains an essential part of our community and our deceleration of independent all rights. Not as a way to segregate us based on our class, race, political views but as a way to unite us. It's on this day, the 4th of July that we shall declare our independence. We shall not go quietly into the night! We shall not vanish without a fight! We're going to live on! I need someone to implant the virus into the alien mothership btw.

I don't think removing the chat box will necessarily make people think before they post.

wat

 

[pi]

wat

Maybe if we (re-)introduce a post count for hatbox use, it should be a dynamic rule of "May's post count + 1"?

 

[snowflake101]

we should not remove hatbox, that's too extreme

 

[Yamster]

we should not remove hatbox, that's too extreme

Hi snowflake!

 

[A1]

My hatbox has been terminally terminated haha.

 

[Dazzy]

My hatbox has been terminally terminated haha.

SOMEONE help him please!!!

@bennjamin

 

[Benjamin]

Hi all,

Thank-you for your feedback about the hatbox and its future on this site. A few things have changed and a few things will likely change over the week to come. I'll quickly outline the hatbox changes here:

1. Hatbox is only useable for users with >50 posts. There are some issues with this implementation (see A1's post above) and so if you have >50 posts but your profile has not updated with hatbox permission then please PM me.
   
2. All hatbox content will now be archived in the moderator subforum.
   
3. Regular users can no longer edit or delete their posts.
4. Competition winners/Gold Stars can be redeemed for the ability to edit/delete their chat, a custom username colour in hatbox/bypass the 'flood time' (currently 1 post per 4 seconds)
5. A number of rules will be strictly enforced with a three strike system - 2 day ban, 1 week ban, permanent hatbox ban. These rules are simple and violations should be reported to either moderators online at the time or to myself. Enforcement of bans will be made by myself and other admins only. There will be no appeals process, the admin decision will be final and the strike system will be forgone in the case of serious violations.
   
   The rules are outlined below:

• No personal attacks or harassment of any kind - if you are unsure about whether what you are about to say falls into this category then do not say it.
• No doxxing (i.e. revealing users in-real-life identity) - this will be met with a permanent ban.
• Content that deserves its own thread should not be posted in the hatbox - discussion about UMAT/ATAR cutoffs, interview questions, specifics about universities/cities, assignment help etc. should be posted in its own thread.

These rules are not all-encompassing and are subject to change. I will be reviewing the changes I have made over the coming week and updating them as required. Thank-you all for your feedback so far and please don't hesitate to let me know how you feel about these changes - I have tried to be fair and reasonable.