Realtime chat

[Uncle Ed]

I don't suppose this forum has a chat module that could be implemented?

Helping someone with a quickie would be a breeze.

I understand that the info in chat would not be saved for posterity, but those needing a quick walkthrough would at least get some help that they might otherwise forgo due to the time lag in posting and may avert setting someones hair on fire by being in a rush and stumbling through on their own.

For now, the majority of the folks drawn here and to these machines are new hobby users that can now afford to get into welding. They are going to lack some of the basic knowledge needed to weld safely and in instant exchange of information would be helpful not to mention the social interaction that would bind this community even tighter as a group.

Just an idea and I apologize if this has already been brought up.

Ed

[LONGEVITY]

Hello,

Currently, we have a general chat room section. I think real time chat will work great when we have a large amount of members on the forum so in the future it will be beneficial.

For now, real time chat may go against us as people cannot search the forum or do not have a record of what was posted. Most chats are not saved and are not searcheable under threads, but more of a place for people to talk.

We do have Live Chat on our website and will add that link to the forum, but we are having hosting issues and will have to move servers. We will let everyone know when this happens. It will probably happen very late at night so no one misses out.

Thanks

Simon

[Gadget]

Simon,
Backup, backup, backup and pray everything gets moved ok.

[Hamstn]

I think the chat would be a great idea. Just have somewhat of a rule that if a person can be helped in a shout or two great ask away but if it is more involved take it to the forums. But for BS and simple questions I think it could be an asset.

[Gadget]

We could just create a room in Skype, that way there would be a record of the chat.

[weldingtwopotatoes]

I think a live chat section would complicate things and interrupt the flow of the forum. I believe many people especially new users would post their issues there and not on the forum, thinking that it would get answered faster. For setup or operational questions that’s what the 800 number is for, so that people can talk to a live Longevity representative. Just my 2 cents.

[Gadget]

I agree. The welding information should be kept here where everyone can access it.

[bradler451]

If they get real time chat, this will be like facebook for welding haha!!! Good idea guys!!!

[bhardy501]

I like the chat section of facebook. you see who is on and can send a chat message and still browse the site while chatting with a friend.

[Bikespot]

At another small forum we had a real time chat area. It worked great for awhile we would meet up. But after awhile ppl started not coming on , then it kinda died. If you had alot of members it would be a good idea.

No point if nobody is on it though.