Dennis,

Excellent information. And, before people start to post threads to the effect of "get ChatSpace!" read further.

ChatSpace is an *excellent* product and (I think) what is in use at "the other" site. From what I have been told, even in that environment it has had its share of technical problems.

I evaluated that product when I evaluated Volano, but there were (and still are) two major reasons that I did not go with ChatSpace at the time I made the decision to move to Volano...platform and cost.

F150online has always operated on a Linux platform. ChatSpace does not provide a server product for Linux, just Windows.

 

I have to support Steve on this one... It seems that every time we want something better for the site, it always comes out of Steve's pocket. Hey Steve, how 'bout making a poll asking all members if they would be interested in a new chat, and ask if all would be up for donating $X. This wouldn't be a monthly cost that would make this site an EXCLUSIVE F-150 site, it would be a one time thing... kinda like taxes.... you know, to better the community. Steve, I'm sure that more than most would be willing to donate for a "good cause" such as that

-Flea

 

You're oversimplifying the problem here... The nice thing about the current chat is that your user name and password are guaranteed to be yours and also the same as your Online password. It's called integration. With many free services you choose your username everytime you log in, meaning that I could log in as you or anyone else and impersonate them...

What's the point of setting up a free chatroom if it's not really going to be part of Online? If you're so adamant about using another chat service, even if it means it won't be linked to Online then why not start your own? Or what about AOL IM? That has chat rooms too... If this is so important then make your own... My god, I wish I had the time to worry about chat rooms!!

 

Good info you brought to the table! A very informative post.
I think I'll look into it for my own site!

Hey everyone, remember it's just a chat room!

 

I myself do not use chat all the time but winter time is upon us and it will get more use as the colder weather sets in. More and more people will have less to do outside. This is a way to pass time instead of sitting in front of the T.V. and watching re-runs the whole winter. I can also understand the money situation as well, most everyone here has a truck payment, mortgage or pays rent. I do not consider myself rich by no means and if the gas prices keep getting higher I will be trying to get into the chat site like everyone else, if it costs a few dollars then it cost a few dollars. I have been to the other chat room and I was never greated by anyone there. If it wasnt for Cowlady welcoming me to the site and making me feel like I belonged to the group I may have never stayed with this one either. To sum this up you do what you have to do and we will do the same.

 

Just wanted to say that, as with clarkd60, Cowlady also welcomed me to chat and made me feel at home. She always acknowleges you when you enter which makes you feel good. And that makes it nice when you go into that room and there's someone there that you know.

Now I don't know Steve at all. And I sure don't know anything about running a website let alone a CHAT room. So, either Steve is telling the truth about, in short, it being a business decision. Or, he's a low down money grubbing S.O.B. that CAN afford it, but just doesn't care about it, the frustration, or the people involved. And THATS what some people are insinuating, and they take it V-E-R-Y personally. I have to say I tend to believe its a business decission, and nothing personal. And after all, it is his business, and we all hope it 's the right decision.

But, I do hope he keeps a sensitve ear to the voices of the patrons. Because, as in any business, that could be a BAD decision.

My .02

 

I side with the big man.
CL was correct when she said you can get a lot of information, but less than 50 people in the last six months, I guarantee there are more people that have benefited from the forums, probably just this past weekend. The chat is not what draws people to register and share information here. Sorry chatters.

HOSS

p.s.
sorry if i repeated what some other people said, i just didn't feel like reading some of those long posts. :o

 

OK. Just a short post.

The only time I really have to chat here is late at night when nobody is on. At any rate, I've been hitting the chatroom a few times in the past couple of weeks and haven't had a problem signing on.

There was a time a few months ago when Steve did some work on the system that we, including me, were having problems signing on. In my case, that problem seems to have been rectified.

I'm wondering if the problems others are having is due to some other factor besides the chat software. We may be blaming the software when it could easily be another problem, possibly something relating to server stability?

Cowlady, I know it sounds like I'm not supporting you in this. All I can say is I'm always thankful for what we have here now. Sure, things can be better, but for what I'm paying to use this service, I think I can put up with some inconvenience. That does not mean that I don't think anything of your point of view. I actually empathize with you and can understand your frustration.

Let's just hope that Steve's efforts to stabilize the server will pay off in having the chat be more reliable in the future.

 

Add one more vote for Steve. 1st priority should be the servers and the message board. The chat is low on any of my priorities becuase there are humdreds of places to chat. All you have to do is have Yahoo or AOL instant messenger and create your own chat romm, set up a time and date and chat away.

 

Steve:
When i first joined this site in the Spring of 2000, you had a great chat room. Then, for some reason, or another, you decided that it was "broke" and went ahead and fixed it. I love this site and visit it quite often. However, changing the chatroom was a HUGE mistake on your part. I wish you would just return it to the way it was, with Emoticons, different font styles and colors, etc.

Mark
Sunday6Niagara
BE THERE!!!!!

 

Well,

Since I have stated the reason why the current chat server will not be changed, as well as already discussed ad nauseum in the past why the old chat room was replaced, as well as heard the feedback of several chat users, it is time to close this thread.

I am now going to take off to the Cayman Islands with the millions of dollars I make each month from running this site. Let me just hop into my '97 F150 that I have been driving for 5 years now to drive to the airport. Bye for now.

Steve