Chat is down! Future of integrated chat uncertain :(

[Delreich]

There's loads of issues with IRC though. The client issue can be solved reasonably easy with an applet or something, but then there's finding a suitable network (unless someone already knows of one), there's netsplits, there's the learning curve (might depend a bit on the client), there's... well, a whole lot.

The current solution (99chats) isn't much better, admittedly, but IRC isn't as good as you make it out to be.

[Elentier]

IRC FTW!!!!!!!!but i also like the mems only idea too.unless we can irc mems only?lol

[Essence]

IDK about IRC, but I back a members-only chat 110%.

[PuppyChow]

I don't mind the new chat, but members only seems appealing to me.

Those guests that entered the chat and asked a question oftentimes didn't get answered and were pretty much just ignored since they were only just numbers. And those guests that took the time to change their name usually ended up registering for the forum anyway.

One option is to have a nonmember trying to open the link provided with a hyperlink to the registration form (like "You must be registered to use this feature: (link)"). Or maybe even redirect a nonmember to the registration form automatically.

But I don't really mind, because I can see the problems with members only too. It's supposed to be a place for noobs to go and get answers, and some of them wouldn't bothered to register.