I was thinking it'd be pretty cool if we started up an IRC channel for SS. For those of you who don't know IRC stands for Internet Relay Chat and is basically a way to chat with others online. All you need is a simple client program, a server to connect to and a 'channel' (channels are like chat rooms) to join. We could either set up our own IRC server or just leech on a network like EFNet (my server/network of choice). What do you guys think? mIRC and X-Chat are two of my favorite programs. I really like X-Chat because it is free. If we need someone to provide bots (basically guards to keep our channel ours, anyone can connect to and join channels on IRC, these bots keep the peace) for the channel, I'd be willing to manage/pay for them as well.
This has been a topic of discussion in the past. The reasoning for not setting up a SS.com-based IRC or other chat medium is because it would detract from individuals posting in the forums.
Johnf514 wrote:This has been a topic of discussion in the past. The reasoning for not setting up a SS.com-based IRC or other chat medium is because it would detract from individuals posting in the forums.
Old-timers might remember the java-based chat we had here for a while.
It basically was always empty. Haven't looked to what the latest and greatest is and certainly up for suggestions. I do want a chat that uses the forum database for user authentication to keep things sane.
-Standardshifter
Shifting the Standard of Automotive Websites
Johnf514 wrote:This has been a topic of discussion in the past. The reasoning for not setting up a SS.com-based IRC or other chat medium is because it would detract from individuals posting in the forums.
That's true, hadn't thought about that. If there was a Java based client available on the site it'd be easy for those who are less tech saavy to chat. I don't think it would detract too many posts. I'm always hanging around on IRC in other channels and would idle in the SS channel as well. I think it'd be a nice resource in addition to the forums, not a replacement for them.
Johnf514 wrote:This has been a topic of discussion in the past. The reasoning for not setting up a SS.com-based IRC or other chat medium is because it would detract from individuals posting in the forums.
That's true, hadn't thought about that. If there was a Java based client available on the site it'd be easy for those who are less tech saavy to chat. I don't think it would detract too many posts. I'm always hanging around on IRC in other channels and would idle in the SS channel as well. I think it'd be a nice resource in addition to the forums, not a replacement for them.
phishy
I agree with phisy. The IRC channel would be an additional resource not necessarily a replacement. The forums have the advantage of having a bigger audience while IRC has the advantage of more real time response. Though I've noticed that the forums have a near real time response in some cases. :)
I also idle on IRC so there'll be at least two people in the channel. :)
If we need someone to provide bots (basically guards to keep our channel ours, anyone can connect to and join channels on IRC, these bots keep the peace) for the channel, I'd be willing to manage/pay for them as well.
Haven't looked to what the latest and greatest is and certainly up for suggestions. I do want a chat that uses the forum database for user authentication to keep things sane.