You guys make some good points, especially about the need help ASAP thing. Count me in, fundwise.

I've installed various chats (both paid and free) on a forum I run. In my case it did not prove worth either the funds or the effort, but the need for chat there was VERY VERY DIFFERENT than the potential benefit here. I know that I am myself not a chat-oriented person (besides being blocked at work, it physically hurts me to type, so I tend to resent having to type in real time) but I also know that is suits some folks very well. Long way of saying, I'd contribute, even though I might not participate.

And the fact that you're even looking into this tells me how much you care. Bless you.

Thank you PV and FB!

I can see some people are very enthusiastic about the chat room idea. I'm not a great fan of chat rooms and have a couple of cautionary thoughts.
1. I have seen on this board some time way back where either N101CS or Spring rider pointed out that often people post on this while drinking. I have also seen some very strong reactions to posts where people have taken offence etc only to later come back with a more considered response having given time to reflect. Am concerned about how chat would be moderated. Don't know an awful lot about how it works but what about situations like Rappelean or others who might get a kick out of posing as an expert etc. Lena and others have frequently pointed out that people on this board can be vulnerable.
2. Can't see it being much use for some of us in other time zones- i for one have never been online when anyone else is! and while i take you seriously nick that you would repeat posts on the board i suspect not everyone would have the time /energy and thus much wisdom might be lost.

I feel a lot of us have become very close and chat may just further our connection and commitment to TSM. Chat is not without it's drawbacks as stated already, but worth a try if it is not too expensive. I am on a budget but would be more than willing to contribute what I can to get it up and running. In times of need there is nothing like real time!

I had not paused to consider the ramifications of chat. I, for one, probably would not post what was stated during a chat session. And this information would be lost forever. Also, misunderstandings can erupt much faster in real-time, rather than re-reading a post and seeing it in the light of what was intended rather than how I took it. Posers and trolls could be a detriment to someone seeking real help. Also, it is likely my place of employment will block this site once chat is available, whereas currently it is not blocked and is one of the few places I can turn to when I am distraught at work. Folks respond to posts here very fast, so it's like a well thought out chat as it is.

I'll support it if the others are supporting it, but I am less inclined to use it now after considering the good points folks have made in this thread.

Bob

Hi Folks,

When I first started reading this thread, I didn't really have a view one way or the other regarding the benefits (or otherwise) of having live chat. However, some excellent points have been made by our thoughtful members. Having carefully considered the points made, I now feel that the disadvantages of having live chat outweigh the advantages. Consequently, I would suggest that we all take a vote on this. N101CS, is it possible to set up a poll on this forum? It seems to me that that would be the most convenient way to enable people to cast their vote.

V.

These points are all very good and I hadn't thought about most of them, quite frankly. Now I'm on the fence about the chat function. My biggest concern is that posers and trolls could give out lousy advice to vulnerable members and that their comments might not be clarified or corrected as they are under the current forum.

The hosting isn't very expensive and I'm afraid if I "passed the hat" I'd probably end up with far more money than needed to pay for the hosting. As I've said before, I don't want this board to generate a "profit", largely because that would change both the dynamics of the board and my obligations and responsibilities when it comes to running it (and I'm doing fine - I don't need the money).

I did have an idea, though... If we did pass the hat and there was extra money available, I could probably buy (cheaper) copies of the book directly from Eskapa or BenBella and mail them out free to members who are financially challenged (not unlikely if someone is on the rocks due to alcoholism).

Thoughts?

On the chat subject, I'll post a poll. I hadn't considered that valuable information would disappear into the ether if we have chat. I'd really hate to see posting frequency decrease. On the other hand, chat really could bring people together. Let's see what happens with the poll and we can all discuss further.

RV

In the very beginning, we discussed some limited sponsorship to defray the cost of the board.

How would everyone feel about asking the publisher of Eskapa's book for an order button in exchange for a few cents' donation per order? Better us than Amazon, right?

And we give alldaychemist some free props; how about seeking the same "sponsorship" arrangement with them?

I would want to avoid the slippery slope of advertising; I'm thinking more the tasteful "sponsors" of NPR, for example.

There would be no significant income from these two sources; just a few bucks to support the board. I doubt it would be enough for the chat start-up cost.

Another chat option: For no cost, people who want to chat could just set something up in GoogleTalk or some other IM service like Yahoo Messenger. There's a privacy tradeoff: A chat room here would allow the whole board to see what you're saying and I'm a little uncomfortable with that. On the other hand, setting up an outside IM arrangement would require surrender of a degree of anonymity with the members we contact this way. One could end-run the privacy issue by setting up a separate account with less personal information for chatting purposes.