[The Wyrm Ouroboros]

So my question is this: is it possible to install/create a chat for the SR forums?  It sometimes would be nice to send a PM to someone, saying 'meet me in chat', and just go ...

[DaveDaveDaave]

I`d love to think that Everyone that plays is capable of playing nice and could be trusted with a chat function ...... buuut the fact the rating system for used for pointless and malicious purposes would lead me to think a chat function would sink lower than 4Chan in a matter of hours.

[PeterSmith]

http://forums.shadowrun4.com/index.php?topic=3273.0

[The Wyrm Ouroboros]

Having been on game-system-specific chat convos, yes, to a certain extent they're casual conversation - which is fine.  (I'm looking at you, HeroCentral.)  However, when you are wanting to talk about a particular game mechanic or element of the game world, it's very useful to have a group of people handy who are right there and know what the hell you're talking about.

And Agent Smith, yes, well - IRC is crap.  Dumpshock IRC ... there are reasons some of us don't go over to Dumpshock.  Its denizens being severely unfriendly to anyone who hasn't been there for a decade, even if they've been online for two and playing for the full 25 years, is a big one. 

[Kot]

You'd think Shadowrun fans would be the ones who fight bigotry and xenophoby, not the ones who practice it...

EDIT: To stay on topic - Forum-based chat, for registered users only, would be a nice thing. We all know FastJack is an AI, he can deal with it as well when it comes to moderation.

[PeterSmith]

If you notice I was pushing Slashnet's IRC (which hasn't been part of Slashnet for a long while now), not Dumpshock's IRC.

[The Wyrm Ouroboros]

No, Peter, didn't notice.  Saw conversation a) regarding IRC, and b) involving Dumpshock, and c) pretty much ignored it - because again, IRC flat-out sucks.  It was great when it was new, it was okay five years ago; today, it sucks eggs.  I'm specifically talking about a link up top - 'Home, Help, Search, Profile, My Messages, Members, Chat Rooms, Logout'.  AFAIK, the baseline chat that places like the HeroGames.com forums are running isn't much to add on ...

[Paul]

Nyet comrade, adding such software is just a bit out of reach. Impossible? Nope. More than we can get off our plate? Yep!

[Warmachinez]

What are you missing for IT to be in reach. I can supply a Troll with long arms if required.

[Mirikon]

IRC? Really kicking it old school, there. Reminds me of logging on to one of any number of DikuMUDs via raw Telnet. Still the best line to give to players when they try to guess how tough an opponent may be is DikuMUD's "Death will thank you for your gift."

[Reaver]

Cost would probably be the big one.... good chat servers are kinda expensive... usually like $10 for the server and then like $0.40 per user after the first 5 or so.... so how many slots do they get? 200? 300? 50?

(but if you want to get us a mumble server, or teamspeak, or anything else and pay for it out of pocket, the community would love you bunches!!)

and then there is the legal issues when Mr. and Ms. Mirikon find out Mirikon junor,who is 11 is talking about blowing up cars and smacking hookers all night in his bedroom    (not that Mirikon is 11, or blows up cars....)