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That's what the chat rooms are for[1]. [1]: http://blog.stackoverflow.com/2010/04/do-trilogy-sites-need-a-third-place/ http://blog.stackoverflow.com/2010/04/do
by tikhonj 14y ago
That's what the chat rooms are for[1].
[1]: http://blog.stackoverflow.com/2010/04/do-trilogy-sites-need-a-third-place/ http://blog.stackoverflow.com/2010/04/do-trilogy-sites-need-...
I really like the "third place" idea, but I don't think the chat rooms have been successful in realizing it. Unfortunately, people just don't use them very much--even the StackOverflow rooms rarely have anybody to talk to.
I think the fundamental problem is that discussion in other parts of the site is asynchronous, like email, while the chat rooms aren't. The comments and posts stick around and allow people to talk about something across a longer period of time, which also allows more people to join the discussion. On the other hand, chat happens immediately--it only works for the people who are there at the moment and only works while everybody is on.
There is, of course, nothing wrong with chat in general. I just don't think it's the best match for the SE format.
- JohnMcG 14y agoSpeaking for myself, clicking on a "chat" link crosses a threshold for me from "I'm taking a break and checking stuff out" to "I'm goofing off." Maybe I'm kidding myself that my checking out SE threads isn't goofing off, but once I enter something called "chat" there's no way I can suspend my disbelief, so I don't do it.
- yrizos 14y agoHeh ;) So, you're goofing off on chat, a discussion oriented medium, and not on Stack Exchange, a platform that's feverishly against discussions. But on more than one occasion you've asked for Stack Exchange to change it's stance on discussion oriented questions and become more discussion friendly. Assuming that happens, how soon do you think it'll be before you dismiss Stack Exchange as goofing off?
- JohnMcG 14y agoIt's all about plausible deniability.... Seriously, I don't think I would dismiss the whole of SE as goofing off if its scope boundaries were relaxed a bit.