Shoutboxes

[Darthmaul]

So, what are you all's opinions on shoutboxes? Do they help a forum, or hurt it?

 

[StevenF50]

It reduces the forums post count but it helps the community feel.

 

[Darthmaul]

It reduces the forums post count but it helps the community feel.

Feel...what? :barefoot:
I honestly find that it really dampens the forum more than it should. Therefore I just stand clear of them

 

[StevenF50]

As in it makes it feel more like a community.

 

[Darthmaul]

As in it makes it feel more like a community.

Ah.
Honestly, the shoutbox never did that for me. It was just faster than replying to topics. I don't need that on my forum, because I can just use MSN or something

 

[Terry Harvey]

I use them but only for staff. Otherwise the members would post there instead of the forums.

 

[Tindris]

I hate shoutboxes, never ever want to see them. There are some forums I have left straight away when I saw their shoutbox

 

[Dean]

I think they could be a great option for premium members but I would never add them for regular users.

 

[StevenF50]

I think they could be a great option for premium members but I would never add them for regular users.

Hmm I may have a premium and staff only shoutbox, good idea.

 

[Darthmaul]

Hmm I may have a premium and staff only shoutbox, good idea.

Same here, seems like a decent enough incentive

 

[SeanFace101]

I dont like them. When im on forums with them installed on them i just ignore them & dont use them, and i wouldnt install one on any of my forums. Thats just my opinions though, many other people do like them.

 

[OhioTom76]

They were trendy like 8-10 years ago, but any more today I see them on web sites but nobody uses them that much. The worst is when forum owners put them horizontally toward the top of the page and I keep accidentally pulling the scrollbar of the shoutbox down instead of the scrollbar of the web page itself when trying to get down to the actual content.

 

[Jessi]

No, I don't tend to think they really help a forum.

If it's a super social forum where people like to sit there all day and chat as well, then meh, ok. Otherwise, though, they tend to be distracting from the rest of the forum.

 

[bauss]

I believe shoutboxes may prevent short posts, and chatty messages on your forum, but I don't like to use them on my forum, because I believe they also take away interest/discussions from the forum.

 

[jpvonline]

It all depends. It can severely hurt forums if there is no moderation. Though a well-kept shoutbox can keep active members going and reduce bounce times for your site.
It's your choice but in my opinion, I would keep the shoutbox exclusive to premium members, that way it reduces spam and gives another benefit to purchasing a membership.