66 replies to this topic

[Daryl]

After Administrator and Moderator discussions we have come to a decision that the ShoutBox will be taken offline within the next few days.

Because of complaints, reports, misuse, PM messages and it being used for egos to be bolstered, we have agreed that this isn't within the spirit of FME or indeed Fruit Emu in particular.

We have a 'Chat' facility room... this is open anytime and any member or guest is welcome and will be welcome to use it.

Warnings were given about the use of the ShoutBox in the past, but they were not heeded - suffice to say we have received enough reports, complaints and moderation of it to know that now is the time for it to be removed and this will not be negotiated because requests for it to be respected and used as a ShoutBox should - ie quick messaging - were ignored.

Thanks

Daryl

[gemini17]

Not at all surprised.

 

Sometimes I scroll down the shout box and it's almost like a soap opera!!

 

Jay

[ady]

@gemini lol i know what you mean,I thought it was because of maybe money problems again etc,thanks for the heads up daryl.

 

The SB is standard tom, as Daryl said there's been a fair few that are using it as stated.

[nails]

hmm

[mocochoco]

Anybody tried the 'Chat Room' in the last month or so ?

This message appears

 

The IP.Chat room limit has been reached. You will not be able to join the chat room until some users first leave.

 

Nobody is indicated as using the 'Chat Room'

Yep, I have been getting exactly the same message.

[Daryl]

It will be looked into within the next few days

...it might be due to the fact that we are on a virtual server - duplu will know more

[jim2311]

I agree that the Shoutbox does get a little out of hand at times, but whats to stop the same thing happening in the Chat Room.

Would it not be better to warn those whose behavior (shouts) are deemed unsuitable, and if they do not heed the warning deny them access to the Shout Box

[convict]

That message is a standard error message when the IP.Chat users limit is reached. The free version from IPB (Invision Power) standard edition which comes free with every IPB license is 5 users. In order to up the limit you are required to buy the IP.Chat license. They range from $10 (every 6 months, 20 users) upto $40 (every 6 months, 250 users).

 

 

Just thought i'd give my knowledge on the subject.

[Daryl]

The Chat box has always been unmoderated to a great extent, and you get a notification (when it is working) about the conduct what will occur in the Chat Room before you enter it...

 

...I think that is more than adequate for those of us with some sense of decorum to know what to expect.

 

Warnings, suspensions from SB and other reminders have indeed been mentioned throughout the past few months, in fact years, but this has either been unheeded or deliberately ignored - plus the fact the ShoutBox is publicly seen, and therefore anyone wishing to even consider joining could take just one look at it sometimes and think to themselves:

 

'why bother'!

 

Chat is secure, unrestricted and away from public view - let's see if it used as it should've been, like the SB wasn't meant to be

That message is a standard error message when the IP.Chat users limit is reached. The free version from IPB (Invision Power) standard edition which comes free with every IPB license is 5 users. In order to up the limit you are required to buy the IP.Chat license. They range from $10 (every 6 months, 20 users) upto $40 (every 6 months, 250 users).

 

 

Just thought i'd give my knowledge on the subject.

...well that should be fine, as the SB is generally only ever used by a few regulars at a given time, and hardly ever have I seen more than that many people in SB conversing

[altharic]

Why not add a link to stanmarsh14s irc?

[vectra666]

I use the shoutbox for friendly conversation as that's what I thought this site was like "friendly" although it has been heated on various occasions by certain individuals including myself, taking away such a feature is hardly going to benefit the site as in new members staying and eventually donating or contributing its only going to mean more topic's on how does this run, can't see buttons etc so blocking up the site even more. You say you've given warnings in the past does that include ALL members regardless of status. Using the chat room WILL not stop this behaviour so chopping the shoutbox is pointless in my eyes people will just use PM's more to speak to individuals or leave the site.
Don't start having a go at me for this post its only my views on this subject.

[Daryl]

Don't start having a go at me for this post its only my views on this subject.

Your views are noted... and I'm not having a 'GO' - but:

 

I use the shoutbox for friendly conversation as that's what I thought this site was like "friendly" although it has been heated on various occasions by certain individuals including myself, 

 

You really think what has been happening in the SB these past few months has been 'friendly'? I really do think our views on FME differ there

 

 You say you've given warnings in the past does that include ALL members regardless of status. 

Why should all members be given warnings... especially as a vast majority do not use it.

 

 

Using the chat room WILL not stop this behaviour so chopping the shoutbox is pointless in my eyes people will just use PM's more to speak to individuals or leave the site.
 

don't they anyway?

 

Anyway 'Geddy' mode off (sorry mate ) - the demise of the ShoutBox has inevitably come because it hasn't been used as it was meant to be, and hasn't been for well over a year now.

 

If, as has always been the case, new members come here to ask for help, as an FME community we will give it. New members have to be approved for a number of posts anyway, so this can easily be moderated more by the staff than having to scroll and moderate the ShoutBox too - and because it has received reports, complaints and abuse and simply cannot be moderated ALL the time, it is inevitable that this conclusion has been reached.

 

The Chat has a warning before entering it about behaviour and its' moderation - so this feature, which has always been on here, is the solution for those wanting to converse, but are aware that they enter on their own discretion.

[vectra666]

Ok that's fine, I'll have a go at this chat room thingy later see how it all goes thanks for the info.

[vectra666]

can,t use chatroom as it don,t work doh!!!!!!

[Dougsta]

I rarely use the Shoutbox, and I agree that the use of it has often been inappropriate. Though the worst-offending member was banned some time ago.

 

The trouble is that I think it's become part of the site's identity now. It's there when the site loads, you can see who's around etc. There are a few members who use it a lot, and I don't grudge them that.

 

Without it, the site is going to feel even quieter than it already does. If it was boom time for FME then I'd see no problem in removing it. Removing a piece of the site when FME is struggling seems like a strange decision.

 

It's management's decision of course, but I hope all effects both positive and negative were considered.

[altharic]

Why not set the site to load sb to be closed by default so you have to manually open it then have the disclaimer in the site news part?