Hi, please hear me out.

[3inone]

hi, im a new member in AQ, chanced upon it while surfing the net. So far, I learnt a lot from experienced members, and liked the Marketplace section since it doesnt operate like Hardware Zone, which generates millions of bumps daily.

I would like to give my opinion, to improve this forum. Hope it can be accepted.

My suggestion is to add a chatbox on forum, which was available in a game server i play in.

Advantages:

1. questions can be answered real time.
2. anyone can reply to a question instantly too.
3. random chats (non-spam types) can be done between members, easing communications.

Disadvantages:

1. people may spam.
2. people may advertise.

Hence, impose rules such as:

1. no more than 4 consecutive posts.
2. no advertising foreign websites/links/items/products.


IMO, this will only serve to benefit.

hope it will be implemented.

Regards,
James.

[vinz]

We have considered a chatbox before and we feel it does not fit with some of the goals of AQ.

AQ strives to be a repository of experience and knowledge in the aquarium hobby. Chat boxes are not suitable because:
1. It does not usually keep a historical record of postings.
2. Even if it does, the contents are not organised, so browsing for information is very frustrating.
3. Also difficult to search.
4. Encourages un-related chatter which would clutter and overwhelm the useful information.

Thank you for your suggestion. Do post if you have more ideas.

[stormhawk]

I agree with Vincent. While a chat box may serve as real time interchange of information from individuals, it is not advisable. This is because after the initial bursts of interest, such functions usually becomes redundant. I've seen many such "chatboxes" go to waste. Sadly, in the game I play, there is no such function for players to contact the game company staff for direct help regarding some problems, so at least you have one up on that aspect James.