Shoutbox?
 

Did the shoutbox disappear for everyone else? Was it supposed to go away? Is it planning on making a return?

I've looked around for a post on this and haven't seen something. Am I also going blind?

Yes, Yes, No, No

(EDIT: However, among the links at the top of your screen, you should see one that says "chat." That is still available for your real-time discussion needs and I encourage everyone who enjoyed the shoutbox to generate discussion in the chatroom - it is what you make of it :))

deleted - answered by someone else as i was typing

Yeah, it disappeared last night when I was in the middle of finding out more about Steak n Shake from Shani and DEI37.

Some warning would have been appreciated. I still think an explanation of why the shoutbox is gone is due. I understand some people don't like it, but there are a great many of us who do like it, and do use it, and would appreciate knowing why it's gone.

Indeed, and some who can't use the java/IRC chat at work, but can use the Shoutbox. Unless it's terribly taxing on the server, I don't see why it needs to go away. :)

So start a 'shoutbox' thread in nonsense...it's just a different way for threads to be displayed.


Full disclosure: I'm glad it's gone, now TFP home page loads much quicker on my blackberry.

I concur. We went through this before already, and it returned. I thought the *issue* (of what, some people like one thing more than the other? That doesn't seem like an issue to me *shrug*) was resolved.

I miss it already.

Yeah, I will miss the ShoutBox for sure.

yeah Im in the group of "the chat link its useless to me and may as well not be there)

oh well was fun while it lasted

/me heads back to my own shoutboxes to be able to have real time converstation with someone

Short answer: there are lots of things that lots of people like or would like - that doesn't mean they ought to be part of the site.

Long answer: The shoutbox detracted from the chat room and unnecessarily split discussion up into two groups: chatters and shouters. The occasional firewall issue aside, the shoutbox was only marginally more convenient than clicking the "chat" link at the top of the page, so that wasn't a compelling argument for keeping it. Moderating the shoutbox was a bitch: the logs were a pain in the ass to go through so it was difficult to catch up and get context, and if/when action needed to be taken, there were not many tools at our disposal other than full-on warnings, which are not often warranted. It tended to slow down the site - sometimes only by a little, sometimes by a lot. Arguments that chat is less active were also not compelling due to the fact that chat is what you make of it. If everyone who liked using the shoutbox were to click the "chat" link and leave it open the same way they did with the shoutbox, there would be just as much discussion in there (minus the couple people who can't get into IRC from work, or who refuse to go into IRC for whatever reason). Finally, while having fun and goofing off a bit is perfectly reasonable, having it displayed at the very top of the front page for all potential new members to see as their first impression is not an effective way to highlight the relatively mature and open discussion we try to foster here. The chat room - or Tilted Nonsense - is a much more appropriate venue for that kind of enjoyment.

I enjoyed it at times, but I think I'll still be able to function without it. Not a biggie.

***edit

I've changed my mind about participating in this discussion

I count 4 main reasons in his post, with subreasons.

Discipline is only one of those, and honestly, is pretty much the least important one of them. This place isn't exactly a frat house. We don't take much disciplinary action.

I'm just glad you all made up your collective minds about it...one way or another. I'm sure we can all survive without it quite happily. I would not expect to see those who used the Shout, to transfer the energy into chat though...its a totally different Vibe.

Exactally. Enough said.

I was also wondering what happened to the shoutbox. And, man, chat sucks. Namely because it NEVER works for me.

Different in what way?

eh, i'm in the chat now. it's not so bad. I miss shout though for it's own merits.

It just seemed more personal, and inviting. Likely the convenience factor came into play as well, but it felt more as if you were actually chatting with individuals vs. a crowd. Still....its no big loss, I stopped going in there after I learned Halx didnt want it used that way anyway.

a crowd is made up of individuals..

Chat is what you make of it. If you come in and idle..then it's idle.. if you chat then it's the same thing only a different interface.

.............Yup..............

I'd like someone to find the quote of me saying that I don't want people chatting in the shoutbox. I double dog dare you to find it.

Anyways, its gone now. I look forward to seeing more action in chat!

mmmm. theres the completely different dynamic and atmosphere, then theres always those of us that would rather be stabbed through the eyes with a white hot poker than be in the same chatroom with certain people.... hmmm....

what's the difference between being in a chatroom with certain people and a shoutbox with certain people?

the certain people that i'm not interested in being around. EVER. are in the chatroom. They rarely come into the shoutbox.

ya know, I really, really, <B>REALLY</B> hate this attitude. TFP is a community that is involved in growth and evolution. We are all adults and we should be able to put aside differences and have a good chat or debate. While everyone won't always "get along", it's the fucking internet. Seriously. If you disagree with someone so be it. Just ignore the person or turn the convo into something else. Chat is entirely up to the people involved. It's no different than using the shoutbox and that person using it at the same time. Chat is merely an easier interface to use with more options; and hopefully, more people.

...Life is too short to hold grudges :D

nope gucci. its completely different. and you can love me or hate me, its affect on me would involve my caring what you think, which i dont.

Well, you know, believe it or not, there are people here that I don't care for either, but I make the choice not to carry my luggage around when I'm not at the airport, if you get my drift.

It has nothing to do with hating your or loving you. It has to do with the fact that as adults we should be able to put aside differences and form opinions and conversations without thinking, "I wish I could poke my eyes out instead being in this room which I came into by my own free will"

That's really immature, and it makes me feel uncomfortable that you have such a hatred for someone that you must make an announcement of it. It makes me feel like you have no respect for the mature, adult nature of this site.

Allow me to put on my Worlds King hat for a moment, since he's conspicuously absent:

I hate you all.

Halx I have not heard the double dog dare in YEARS!! Damn I am old :(

MM, i see what you're saying, but just because some people prefer one airline over another because of the dickheads that are hired by the one airline, doesnt mean I've got to let my bags be put on those airlines and fly with them. Its REAL easy to find another one.

analog, you can see it as you like. you only see it as immature because you dont get it. im not the only one around here with strongly held opinions, and i didnt share mine until told to use the chatroom and "deal" . um, i dont have to. period. and wont. its simple enough.

Are you going to go tell his mom now? Your immature handling of this situation is making this space more hostile- nothing is being resolved or communicated.

Well said :)

This discussion is HILARIOUS!

And I hate you too, Jazz. I hope you die of gonorrhea and rot in hell.

Mind if I announce that in my sig, too?

ya know, this conversation would be so much better in chat..

Are you threatening yet again to leave? It sure seems like you spend a lot of time here thinking about leaving.

I bet you like this more than you want to admit. That's why you're still here.

Hal, you've given me the gift that keeps on giving. I should have never believed that you were drug and disease free.

I am honored to be in your signature. Then again, that may just be my diseased mind talking. Anyone got any pennicillin?

*Wonders what's with all the Midnight bashing*

When you air out your dirty laundry, you shouldn't be surprised when people complain about the stink. :)

the discussion in this thread makes about as much sense as this does:

Wow...all this over a little box at the top of a screen, that is so very much smaller than the Big Box just above it....and only a click away.

*tec goes into AOL chat so he can watch the professionals act like autistic children*

I will own up to my childhood. There was a point when I really liked Vanilla Ice- and I think some of you who say otherwise are liars. lol

A1A- BEACH FRONT AVENUE!

*let the whole video play*

ubertuber: nope. im here. i'm not as easy to get rid of as LS.

Analog: dirty laundry? now you DONT want me airing out dirty laundry. lol that would take a new thread.

gotta love it when the "higher ups" bash the members. dosent it make you feel all warm and fuzzy everyone? can you FEEL the love? *rofl*

Wow...... thats all I can say, just Wow. Ok, I will add unfucking believable.

I don't see anyone bashing you. I see a fairly measured response based on your public spectacle of hatred for another member.

Heck, believe it or not, I've been at odds with a few people here from time to time- I know, I know, ME? But yes, it's happened. I can't remember anyone actually making public declarations of hate over it. That's just inappropriate, and small. We may have been at each other's throats in a thread, but not making announcements about how much they don't like someone.

What!! The shoutbox is gone?!?! OH NO!! http://img.photobucket.com/albums/10...is/sp_ahhh.gif

Please...
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/10...is/panties.gif

I was thinking the exact same thing. ;) And I've got you by...a couple of years. :D

I'll give you that perhaps it's inappropriate, but would have been FAR more so to have come out name calling, and taking jibes at someone whose comments were not aimed at you analog.

I don't think I'd call it public. No names have been offered up.

Didn't you people watch A Christmas Story last year?

ehem, the double dog people


...carry on:surprised:

Everyone's easy to get rid of. We just like to make more work for ourselves by giving people a chance to change.

Never saw it MM. sorry.

Halx: oh yeah? and when being different is met by your staff calling them names? I suppose thats acceptable behavior then?


*note* anyone that knows me or has ever actually spoken to me - would have found the hot poker comment intensely amusing, and it wouldnt have started this VERY goofy mess.

I was....never mind

I know what you're saying, but I don't think a lack of name actually makes it ok... it would just be "totally unacceptable" instead of simply "immature, classless flaming".

but I dont have any on!!!!

this is going to go the same way other threads do...the mods will chant the same mantra, paraphrasing each other and not understand why some of us simply dont and wont use chat

those "some of us" will find other ways of communicating

and why hasnt crompsin come in here yelling about werewolves and such? :)

Its time for a group hug, I want BOR next to me.:wave:

Long as I get his other side :icare:

Man, those Vanilla Ice guys really knew how to dance.

I wish that kind of dancing would make a comeback.

I would just like to take a moment in this thread to explain a few things. First off, none of this is about bashing a member or is personal. My statements were merely to point out that as members of TFP, I'd like to hold higher standards and grow. So when I attack an attitude that isn't conducive to the very strands of DNA that TFP is composed of, it's not an attack on the person nor is it any way bashing. It's simply to point out that we need to be aware of attitudes that can negatively affect the community as a whole. While I may not always use the correct manner of getting my point across, I assure you that it's innocent and is purely done in the manner of see TFP continue to grow and thrive.

I think the entire mod and admin team feels the same way.


As for mod's chanting the same mantra, the decision has been made to kill the shoutbox.. so we can either keep complaining or we can use chat when we aren't at work (if you can't currently) or we can do as shani said and find the other ways to communicate.

post removed by pig. i stopped, collaborated and listened - and i do not want to get involved in this shitbird melodrama. the conversation occurring here will more than likely have no discernable effects on the underlying dynamics at play.

Excellent point JinnKai. I concur. terribly talented, those vanilla ice dancers. lol



OMG - Pig is a total genius. and a smart staff member could have/should have killed this thread ages ago

I'm getting an erection just thinking about it.:eek:

Oh we understand. Do YOU understand why we killed the shoutbox regardless? No, all the mods are having fun in this thread because we're all having a discussion amongst ourselves in a separate location and we all have our opinions on the matter. Evidently, a lot of us agree with each other (despite the fact that we're a very diverse group) and are kinda of boiling over because we REALLY want to say whats on our minds because we REALLY don't like the sub-plot to this discussion. Sure, you could say we're overpowering and this should all be handled by one mod and the rest should shut up... but like I said.. we REALLY wanna say something.

All kidding aside, just say it then.....

does it matter whether I understand or not? Some of us has expressed in public and in private why the shoutbox is better.and why we wont use the chat...dont see anyone saying they understand those reasons, we just get told..."come in to chat its no different"

well...yeah it is......cant you understand that?

I already said we did.

Our response is that we don't want the shoutbox to be a part of the TFP's offerings anymore.

then I will hush....on this subject anyway

I still want the group hug with BOR and Dave

oooh shani. i understand and concur. its a totally different bird, and im being told how freaking immature i am, when the imms that have said so could have responded to my post with "shame you feel that way, you might (but how are we to know) be missed in chat. oh well. your loss" and moved the hell on, but , they didnt, encouraging this lovely tangled mess that this thread has become

honestly, shani i don't understand the difference at all. they both facillitate real-time conversation. the only difference i can see is that you can't see who is watching in #chat, whereas you have a member list in chat. aside from that, i see no difference. i can see issues if you can't access chat from work...but then, you probably shouldn't be 'shouting' on a site with 'sex, philosophy and political discussion' in the html metadata if that's your work policy, no? this intangible issue of 'intimacy' and i think tec said 'a coffee shop vs. a bar' or something...i just can't see it. that's not to say it's not there for some of y'all, but i don't understand it.

the only thing i can see is a group of members not wanting to interact with another group of members. and that's possible to do in chat. just ignore who you want to ignore. i do it all the time. i haven't read a word that jumpinjesus has written in weeks - that dingy little fucker. so i don't get it.

i do think it would be interesting for hal or the equivalent to speak the mods mind on this subject, be it from the 'admin' position or from the position of 'long time member,' personally.

Damn....I knew his staff was Big.....but, IT CAN TALK?


*tecoyah bows before the talking mamba king*

I think thats pretty clear, I do understand that some members preferred the shoutbox over chat, but its Hal's board. I understand his side too, and why it may be for the best to eliminate the box.

I need a drink, its been a rough day for me, all the way around.

ROFLMAO. you're such a dork tec. hahahaha

I have the phrase,

'Live from New York it's Saturday Night!!!'

in my head. :)

I am certainly no Halx eqivalent, nor a Mod....but from experience I can tell you the primary goal of every member of TFP staff is to further this community, and help it grow (thus the evolution). At times this entails making descisions that are unpopular with some, but it is extremely rare that such moves are done in a vacuum, and NEVER without the best interests of the main body of members in mind.
If anyone decides to look at this from a community view, rather than a personal click they might enjoy it is relatively clear this is an attempt to bring us all together, not rip us apart. Though a few are certainly upset with the removal of the shoutbox, this too shall pass, and bitching about it does nothing to change the reality. I am in the chatroom right now, and though I admit I liked the shoutbox more than mIrc...I am willing to go back and try to reconnect with my friends there.

I suggest you try it as well.

Im only going to address part of this:

there are of those of us that are allowed to be online at work and as long as Im not having naked people on the screen it doesnt matter what forum I have up. The way the firewall is set up we cannot view anything that streams or anything that is chat related, the java for the chat here simply will not initiate.

I have been in chat many times.....I simply dont enjoy it, its not just IRC, I dont enjoy aol chat rooms or yahoo or any other group that has one, so why participate in something I dont like? Hell if I wont go in one with Alan Rickman as a guest Im not going in one just because its a TFP room, Im perfectly capable to going back to bugging people with PMs lol....with the shoutbox you can go back and see what you've missed, you cant do that with the other. Its no different from my own boards when I provided chat and SB...we'd have a group that liked one over the other and thats fine....Im not at all dissing anyone that enjoys the "chat" format....its just not for me

WEREWOLVES, ZOMBIES, VAMP...

Wait... this isn't... the box... of... shouting.

...

(sigh)

Please report all instances of the staff calling you names directly to me, via PM.

pig, SecretMethod70 gave a pretty good summary of why there is no more shoutbox. Would there be more satisfaction if it came from me?

I feel much better now :icare: maybe you could just pm me that once a day ahahahahaha

Unless I am mistaken and that is not an abbreviation for my screen name, would you mind elaborating?

I haven't ever been a huge participant in shoutbox discussion, so maybe I don't have a worthwhile opinion on the issue, however I disagree that its removal will be something that brings us together. Even before I ever posted on it for the first time, simply seeing it there gave me a feeling of contact with my fellow TFP'ers. It has a certain way of giving a sense of real human contact that I always found quite comforting. I'm sure there's a reason it was removed, but I'm not so sure that's it.

And for the record, there are often times when I can't get into the chat room.

Sorry, Crompsin, I guess you aren't invited to the group hug...

logan - no. its not you. "they" know who it is.

I don't believe this was given as a reason for the removal.

It's what tecoyah said, I was responding to him.

shanni: first, i am having a hard time believing anything you say after that 'alan rickman couldn't get you in chat' bit. i would have suspected alan rickman could have had you doing keg stands at a frat party if he was there. i mean, we're talking about severus mafucking snape here babe. second - i can understand that somehow its a different thing, or there may be technical differences...i don't understand the ambiance differences, but i'm totally willing to admit that they must be there since so many detect them, and i don't personally care two bits about this particular topic, other than than the commentary / thoughts on the community-building aspects.

tec: i'm already a moderate chat whore. i'm sure i'll see you in there at some point :)

hal oh, not really. i suspected already. you simply had a few posts hinting at things nefarious and spooky that yourself and/or other members of the mod staff REALLY wanted to say. so, i thought to myself - 'why the heck not? say them.'

pig...I would do it for Barry Manilow :thumbsup:

Fuck yo group hug! Chat rooms make me feel like I'm 16, anyways.

"ASL!" "Got pic?" "Stats!" "Any ladies in here?" Pfft. (burns off his face)

I don't come here for love. I come here for educational abuse.

And I have some pretty brutal teachers. Thanks, guys.

...

I suppose the TFP works because we're all relatively intelligent.

And we don't have to sit in the same room with each other.

...

I will miss the shoutbox, but whatever... I can get smacked down and insulted in threads just as well.

Poor Crompsin.

The Yowlpire is still in your TFP, sucking your blud.

pig, this is a good question. If you give me a PM, I'll tell you all about it.







Just kidding.

The reason why you're not hearing anything juicy is because we try our BEST to enact any official ruling only after thoroughly discussing things. We have our empassioned mods and we have our wise men comparing notes to make sure we do the right thing. Now, doing the right thing is not necessarily the thing that causes the least unrest, it is simply the conclusion that is smartest. Sometimes we get ahead of ourselves and start posting fast and furiously, but there is always a discussion going on. With the latest changes to the staff, you can be assured that a decision will be made and it will be intelligently done.

:D

Oh, the motivation to go on living!

Quick! Swallow this battery acid! It will leak into your blood, diluting and eventually working its way into Yowl's stomach, severely upsetting it.... yeah. That'll show 'ir.

Her.

I'm a girl, duh.

Why don't I fire a flare gun into my navel or eat a delicious depleted uranium omelet?

That would repel her, too.

...

(starts having shoutbox withdrawals)

(twitches)

(ejaculates)

No, no...I'd still suck all of your delicious blud.

Alright, cut it out. I can't take anymore. Ergh.

(drives to class with raging crotchbat intertwined in his truck's steering while)

(twitches, ejaculates, drinks Diet Pepsi Max)

What a great mental image. I have to go to class too, you know!

You fucker, I sat transfixed through the whole thing like a deer in headlights.

How about some warning next time?

I had no expectation that any of this would spray forth when I asked what I thought was a pretty simple question. I don't really have anything to say other than if you mod/admin squad people decide to make a relatively major feature change, could you please at least post an announcement so the rest of us know what's going on? Prior to this incident it seems like that's generally been the case, so I don't know why it was omitted here. Thanks.

The rest of this conversation is...a little strange, to say the least.