| Pages in topic: < [1 2 3] > | Why not a chat tool as an alternative to forums? Thread poster: Arnaud HERVE
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Tomás Cano Binder, CT wrote:
OK, but with the option to opt out to such contacts.
But of course. Since some people don't like long posts, I didn't want to elaborate in order to not take up too much room. But yes, users should have the liberty to appear off-line, to have a black list and a white list, to pick and choose when and to whom they speak. Needless to say, implementing such a system would require substantial contribution from site staff and programmers.
| | | | | I can think of one situation where it would have been useful | Mar 10, 2009 |
A couple of years ago a Proz user had a massive computer virus problem which I think locked her out of all all websites except Proz (I'm a bit vague on the details, it was a while ago and I wasn't involved). Some very kind soul managed to talk her through, step by step, some complicated procedure that succeeded in killing the virus and getting her computer back up and running.
In cases like that I can see that a chat tool could be useful (assuming she'd been able to access the chat ... See more A couple of years ago a Proz user had a massive computer virus problem which I think locked her out of all all websites except Proz (I'm a bit vague on the details, it was a while ago and I wasn't involved). Some very kind soul managed to talk her through, step by step, some complicated procedure that succeeded in killing the virus and getting her computer back up and running.
In cases like that I can see that a chat tool could be useful (assuming she'd been able to access the chat tool of course), although I imagine they're pretty few and far between. But it seems to me that between instant messaging and the Forums, there's not really much of a need for a chat tool. Still, I've never used a chat room in my life, so maybe I'm not aware of all their possibilities. ▲ Collapse
| | | | | Interesting idea | Mar 10, 2009 |
I think it could be an interesting feature, both for technical support between members and socializing. In order to be succesful, I think it should be a feature for paying and/or verified members only, in order to avoid:
- Turning it into an instant Kudoz (or even instant job-market)
- Turning it into an anonymous chatroom with all the dangers that implies
If the feature would contain some sort of "save conversation" button, any abuse could be sent to a moderator ... See more I think it could be an interesting feature, both for technical support between members and socializing. In order to be succesful, I think it should be a feature for paying and/or verified members only, in order to avoid:
- Turning it into an instant Kudoz (or even instant job-market)
- Turning it into an anonymous chatroom with all the dangers that implies
If the feature would contain some sort of "save conversation" button, any abuse could be sent to a moderator later on.
ProZ has thousands of paying/verified members, not everybody is able of willing to join a Powwow but still like a chat with a freelance colleague every now and than.
I would definitely use it. ▲ Collapse
| | | | Heinrich Pesch 
Finland
Local time: 22:10
Member (2003)
Finnish to German
+ ...
| To work or to chat, that is the question. | Mar 10, 2009 |
A chat is ok for special issues, e.g. people searching friends, chatting about the other sex or so. But I cannot imagine that someone would waste their time chatting away about Trados technical issues (most postings here are about Trados).
Technical problems need to be addressed carefully, often it is necessary to clarify matters by trying out the functions or looking up manuals. But the people who could be of help will not attend the chat, because they are working.
Regards... See more A chat is ok for special issues, e.g. people searching friends, chatting about the other sex or so. But I cannot imagine that someone would waste their time chatting away about Trados technical issues (most postings here are about Trados).
Technical problems need to be addressed carefully, often it is necessary to clarify matters by trying out the functions or looking up manuals. But the people who could be of help will not attend the chat, because they are working.
Regards
Heinrich ▲ Collapse
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Heinrich Pesch wrote:
...But the people who could be of help will not attend the chat, because they are working.
Whereas when I take a break, I check forum activity, and I do take five minutes to help those in need, before heading back to work.
| | | | | Are you serious?!? | Mar 10, 2009 |
Arnaud HERVE wrote:
I propose that chat would not be moderated.
I can imagine how people who would like to sell Viagra, penis enlargements and porn subscriptions, just to mention a few, would love for such a chat to exist... Not to mention those who feel like taking something out on someone... anyone!
| | | | Özden Arıkan
Germany
Local time: 21:10
Member
English to Turkish
+ ...
Mervyn Henderson wrote:
Let's try a dry run, shall we? I'll start the ball rolling ...
- Bit of a nip in the air today, isn't there?
...
- gotta check forums to answer U. Dis was dicsusd B4.
BRB...
[Edited at 2009-03-10 16:52 GMT]
| | | | | Do we want to be friends, or colleagues? | Mar 10, 2009 |
Let's face it: chatting is for friendship. Practical, professional uses of the chat system described are really limited, given that those in need of help and those who can help will not be there at the same time, and discussing serious things takes time. So it would lead us to the fora again, as today.
Do we want Proz.com to invest substantial resources in adding a tool that is for friendship? We surely share an interest in our profession, respect each other... up to a reasonable de... See more Let's face it: chatting is for friendship. Practical, professional uses of the chat system described are really limited, given that those in need of help and those who can help will not be there at the same time, and discussing serious things takes time. So it would lead us to the fora again, as today.
Do we want Proz.com to invest substantial resources in adding a tool that is for friendship? We surely share an interest in our profession, respect each other... up to a reasonable degree, of course... and show a friendly attitude to others, but are we here to make friends? Answer that question to yourself and you will have an answer about an eventual chat system in Proz. ▲ Collapse
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| Take the discussions on rates, agencies, clients, trados | Mar 10, 2009 |
How often have these discussions been repeated on the forums? Apparently people feel the need to blow off steam. Most of the conversations even follow a similar pattern, and I wonder if one of these threads has ever been read afterwards (through a forum search). Same goes for "the evil agency" threads, the "non paying client" threads, the "problem with Trados with XX-files" threads, and so on.
A chat feature would possibly avoid this multiplication of similar threads.
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Viktoria Gimbe wrote:
I can imagine how people who would like to sell Viagra, penis enlargements and porn subscriptions, just to mention a few, would love for such a chat to exist... Not to mention those who feel like taking something out on someone... anyone!
Would a verified/paying member do that?
| | | | | I keep getting spam | Mar 10, 2009 |
Riens Middelhof wrote:
Would a verified/paying member do that?
There is no way to know for now. In any case, being a paying/verified member hasn't been entirely successful in keeping some users from sending me spam through ProZ mail, so I can imagine that happening in a chat room. Also, I don't think simple users (not paying) and unverified users (who can't get verified simply because they don't have a credit card) would appreciate being left out just because they are not paying and/or not verified... It would be ridiculous to have to pay in order to use chat...
In any case, there are also rules for this forum, and paid/verified users and simple users alike do fairly regularly break them, even with moderators lurking in the shadows, so I don't see why this would be different in a chat room.
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Mervyn Henderson (X)
Spain
Local time: 21:10
Spanish to English
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| The Chatterbox | Mar 10, 2009 |
If it goes through, I suggest this as a name.
| | | | Aniello Scognamiglio (X)
Germany
Local time: 21:10
English to German
+ ...
| Contradiction! | Mar 10, 2009 |
A couple of hours ago this thread was closed:
http://www.proz.com/forum/site_forums/129296-proposal_for_slowing_down_heated_threads.html
The thread Proposal for slowing down heated threads was about slowing down heated threads in forums. The present thread Why not a chat tool as an alternative to forums? started three hours later is in contradiction with the other thread!
I do not see how a realtime chat tool can enabl... See more A couple of hours ago this thread was closed:
http://www.proz.com/forum/site_forums/129296-proposal_for_slowing_down_heated_threads.html
The thread Proposal for slowing down heated threads was about slowing down heated threads in forums. The present thread Why not a chat tool as an alternative to forums? started three hours later is in contradiction with the other thread!
I do not see how a realtime chat tool can enable less heated discussions, on the contrary!
Edited for typo
[Edited at 2009-03-10 17:24 GMT] ▲ Collapse
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