It's There For A Reason

[BigC]

Wish I knew how to use it

 

[minnnt]

Oh yes, even the mods join in on the fun. Tolak and I are regulars.

Wait, that might make people not want to go.

Nevermind, Tolak and I don't go near chat, not at all.

No comment...

 

[Lateral Line]

Doesn't work. Tried it, never got "in". Never mind.

 

[minnnt]

Nice to see you posting again LL.

 

[Lateral Line]

It is difficult for me now.

 

[This Old Spouse]

I think our forums move fast enough ... who needs chat??

 

[StandbySetting]

The topic generally isn't fish keeping though, as previously mentioned it's a different world when everyones online, it can be quite fun at times.

 

[Tolak]

Besides this link we also have this link, make sure java is updated.

 

[TwoTankAmin]

The topic generally isn't fish keeping though, as previously mentioned it's a different world when everyones online, it can be quite fun at times.

This might explain why on a large fish site the chat is not very active? The topic can't be fish all the time, but isn't it the primary reason for the chat to exist in the first place? I can not tell you how much I learned in the early 2000s from some very experienced people in fish chats. This included lfs owners, breeders, importers, plant people who ran nurseries etc. etc.

In years past I have been a mod in a couple of very active fish chats. I gave it up. But what made those chats popular was they followed a simple rule- fish chat first. What that meant is social chat was fine but when folks wanted to talk fish or had a problem they wanted helped with, the social chat suspended or got taken to the PM system.

Bear in mind there are all sorts of folks here from all walks of life and from all over the world. We are a very varied bunch. The one thing we all share however, is fishkeeping. What do you think a the average member would expect to find the very first time they go into the chat here, especially if they are newbies and/or don't know the people in the chat?

Just my 2 cents, oops, pence worth

 

[Tolak]

But what made those chats popular was they followed a simple rule- fish chat first. What that meant is social chat was fine but when folks wanted to talk fish or had a problem they wanted helped with, the social chat suspended or got taken to the PM system.

Pretty much the rule here. Countless times someone comes in with a question or problem, it's all hands on deck. BTW, just transitioned from marine tank setup to bettas in there, so a wide range of topics get covered.

 

[minnnt]

It is difficult for me now.

Shame mate, really enjoyed reading some of your old posts/threads. Hope to see you around here more often.

 

[DBT85]

The odd thing about the forum (as someone who uses several) is that it has a very high number of members but "only" has a record of just under 1100 people online at any one time. I'm new so obviously I don't know what the turnover is like for the hobby in general but it would suggest that people get involved and then for whatever reason don't continue or just don't come back to the forum for some reason.

I wonder if a thread on what users thought might help the forum grow, keep members coming back etc might be an idea.

I'll log onto the chat a bit later tonight though, maybe some of you Americans can keep me awake at work tonight!

 

[Ace Of Spades]

I wonder if a thread on what users thought might help the forum grow, keep members coming back etc might be an idea.

There's already a whole section for that, it's called 'Board Announcements & Suggestions' or words to those effect.

 

[Nosphaer]

Oh, fun... A forum I used to frequent had a chat feature, but it, too, was greatly unused. I'll try this one whenever people are online using it...

It sounds a nice way to spontaneously introduce oneself.

 

[Ps3Steveo]

This needed a bump