Well I guess chat is dead - Empty Closets - A safe online community for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered people coming out

Dave · 29th Aug 2009, 10:23 AM

Well since the day the arcade arrived, I haven't been able to find a single person in the chat room. Arcade killed chat once and for all by the looks of it.

Should we start writing eulogies??
At this rate I dunno if it'll recover

EC is a support site not a gaming site and the arcade is just draining the true purpose of the site away. So should we also start writing Eulogies for EC as well?? I hope not, this site brought me back from the brink of Suicide more than anything else and the people who were in chat have helped me get through some of the toughest spots in my life.
So I say, Farewell Chat and eventually (though I really hope not) Farewell EC

Tim · 29th Aug 2009, 10:32 AM

I was in the chat earlier with Kevin, Cecile, Daniel, and Filip.

People go in chat, but it seems that instead of sitting waiting for people like before, they just tend to do games instead.

Which leads to people in chat at specific times (Primetime in the US and Primetime in the UK)

**Victor** · 29th Aug 2009, 10:33 AM

Martin addressed your concerns in the "What are you thinking?" thread.

What are you thinking?

I was in chat yesterday and a few days ago, and while it has indeed been slow lately, it isn't dead. One reason I could think of is that people here in the States (and probably other parts of the Northern hemisphere) are starting school again, and don't have as much time to be on EC in general.

Dave · 29th Aug 2009, 10:34 AM

which means no time in AU, while I think the arcade is a neat Idea, It's killing off the real purpose of the site

Dave · 29th Aug 2009, 10:40 AM

ok read martins reply, I posted a response, read it on the other page if you want, just sick of noone in chat

Tim · 29th Aug 2009, 10:46 AM

You are aware you can post wall messages to people at any time right?

Just see someone online, and send a PM to see if they wanna chat or something XD

**Filip** · 29th Aug 2009, 10:47 AM

Well, when the arcade was new and shiny it did seem like there was no one in chat, and if there was anyone, the only topic seems to be highscores.

But today I've been off and on in chat, and there was always someone there.
I'm guessing it's just a slow week. A lot of people are getting back into the school year, adjusting to uni or otherwise just outside enjoying the last of the summer (well, those in the northern hemisphere at least)

The only reason I'm not in there myself is because I'm getting ready to go out with friends.
But I'm sure it's just a temporary lull. Things will pick up again!

Dave · 29th Aug 2009, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Myzou

You are aware you can post wall messages to people at any time right?

Just see someone online, and send a PM to see if they wanna chat or something XD

I'm aware but it's not as upfront or as personal as chat

Dave · 29th Aug 2009, 10:59 AM

oh yeah and if you didn't realise from my obvious first post, I overeacted and overdramatized everything sorry

**Martin** · 29th Aug 2009, 11:11 AM

I think the reason for Chat's sudden emptiness is more related to outside factors rather than the Arcade and other EC features. The forum as a whole is at it's busiest between June and August due to both UK and USA schools being out, but the latter have now returned with the UK returning within the next week. That itself reduces time for many of the active members who have to keep a pretty tight schedule going.

I did see the concerns that were raised when the Arcade was first installed and have kept an eye on them to see whether they do hold any truth, and I have to say that so far the arcade hasn't contributed to the major decline that is appearing in chat. I admit that it isn't helping, but the regulars who you usually see around at that time aren't on EC at all. This time last month the Chat Room would have an average of about 7/8 members, whereas at this moment the people in the arcade are Eccentric, Fiender, musicgirl112233, Soofdope and zzzzzz123. None of those are regulars who would have a consistent schedule in the chat room (and I think one or two are regular members), so chats under-average activity at this moment in time is not a result of the arcade at all. I've checked this numerous times over the last few days (bar yesterday) and that has been the result that I have seen. The chat regulars who I have seen in the arcade have usually gone back to chat and had discussions about it.

I think it's fairly obvious that I'm not going to come in here and criticise the arcade, but if I thought that it ruined EC's reputation or features then I would quite happily see it go. I'm not a games fan in the slightest, but my intentions for getting it installed was to encourage interaction between all member ranks. There is no evidence to suggest that it has ruined support because, even at it's highest peak of activity, posting levels on the forum per day have stayed consistent. This idea that it also qualifies EC as a gaming site is also not very realistic due to EC's other features. School filters are able to block games at their own discretion, whereas chat rooms are banned completely and strictly forbidden in all school networks (at least in my academic experience). To use those arguments would result in the chat room getting dropkicked out of EC's door, which I am sure is not popular with anybody here.

As Filip said above, the arcade is a new and shiny feature. The consistent activity on the site, which is my priority, shows that the arcade is not having any effects to EC's support. The activity in chat I mostly put down to offline commitments, whether education related or work related. EC is primarily a support forum, but an arcade and chat room don't destroy that morale in any way. If Chat's activity has plummeted as much as people suggest then it sounds to me like the result of offline commitments rather than a few games. I think a few people have just interpreted the summer high as being the usual levels of activity in chat, and now that things are returning back to usual peeps are interpreting that as being a downfall. Once people have settled back into school then things may pick up a bit, but it's unlikely the levels will increase that much again until the next school vacations.

Dave · 29th Aug 2009, 11:27 AM

as I said in the other forum understood now, I hadn't read the other post before making this

Steve · 30th Aug 2009, 08:53 AM

easy . when you get a new gift you will play with it nonstop for some time untill you get bored of it .

crystaltriforce · 30th Aug 2009, 09:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vic

Martin addressed your concerns in the "What are you thinking?" thread.

What are you thinking?

I was in chat yesterday and a few days ago, and while it has indeed been slow lately, it isn't dead. One reason I could think of is that people here in the States (and probably other parts of the Northern hemisphere) are starting school again, and don't have as much time to be on EC in general.

yeah between work and school i barely have time to relax now

**Lexington** · 30th Aug 2009, 09:20 AM

So are we going to rename this section just "Chit"?

Lex

cicciux · 30th Aug 2009, 03:19 PM

I can't get into chat...

fallendream · 30th Aug 2009, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lexington

So are we going to rename this section just "Chit"?

Lex

yes. that would make my day.

29th Aug 2009, 10:23 AM	#1
Dave Eh Full Member Gender: Male Orientation: Gay Out Status: Out to everyone Location: Bendigo - Australia Age: 22 Posts: 362 Join Date: Oct 2008	Well I guess chat is dead Well since the day the arcade arrived, I haven't been able to find a single person in the chat room. Arcade killed chat once and for all by the looks of it. Should we start writing eulogies?? At this rate I dunno if it'll recover EC is a support site not a gaming site and the arcade is just draining the true purpose of the site away. So should we also start writing Eulogies for EC as well?? I hope not, this site brought me back from the brink of Suicide more than anything else and the people who were in chat have helped me get through some of the toughest spots in my life. So I say, Farewell Chat and eventually (though I really hope not) Farewell EC __________________ "If you can't convince them, confuse them."

29th Aug 2009, 10:32 AM	#2
Tim Psycho Glitter Btch Full Member Gender:* Guy, Unless Life Was a Horrible April Fools Joke. Orientation: Gay/Asexual/Confusing to Explain Out Status: Armed and Fabulous! XD Location: California Age: 23 Posts: 7,381 Join Date: Mar 2008	Re: Well I guess chat is dead I was in the chat earlier with Kevin, Cecile, Daniel, and Filip. People go in chat, but it seems that instead of sitting waiting for people like before, they just tend to do games instead. Which leads to people in chat at specific times (Primetime in the US and Primetime in the UK) __________________ Rawr! :3 ~The Stalker User Known As Tim~ Rawr! :3 EC's Sailor Star Healer, Oxymoron and All. Star Sensitive Inferno! Sailor Starlight, Stage On! [Vic] 7:49 pm: I keep my pants off in public.

29th Aug 2009, 10:33 AM	#3
Victor Moo EC Moderator Gender: Male Orientation: Gay Out Status: Pretty damn out Location: California Age: 21 Posts: 1,972 Join Date: Aug 2008	Re: Well I guess chat is dead Martin addressed your concerns in the "What are you thinking?" thread. What are you thinking? I was in chat yesterday and a few days ago, and while it has indeed been slow lately, it isn't dead. One reason I could think of is that people here in the States (and probably other parts of the Northern hemisphere) are starting school again, and don't have as much time to be on EC in general.

29th Aug 2009, 10:34 AM	#4
Dave Eh Full Member Gender: Male Orientation: Gay Out Status: Out to everyone Location: Bendigo - Australia Age: 22 Posts: 362 Join Date: Oct 2008	Re: Well I guess chat is dead which means no time in AU, while I think the arcade is a neat Idea, It's killing off the real purpose of the site __________________ "If you can't convince them, confuse them."

29th Aug 2009, 10:40 AM	#5
Dave Eh Full Member Gender: Male Orientation: Gay Out Status: Out to everyone Location: Bendigo - Australia Age: 22 Posts: 362 Join Date: Oct 2008	Re: Well I guess chat is dead ok read martins reply, I posted a response, read it on the other page if you want, just sick of noone in chat __________________ "If you can't convince them, confuse them."

29th Aug 2009, 10:46 AM	#6
Tim Psycho Glitter Btch Full Member Gender:* Guy, Unless Life Was a Horrible April Fools Joke. Orientation: Gay/Asexual/Confusing to Explain Out Status: Armed and Fabulous! XD Location: California Age: 23 Posts: 7,381 Join Date: Mar 2008	Re: Well I guess chat is dead You are aware you can post wall messages to people at any time right? Just see someone online, and send a PM to see if they wanna chat or something XD __________________ Rawr! :3 ~The Stalker User Known As Tim~ Rawr! :3 EC's Sailor Star Healer, Oxymoron and All. Star Sensitive Inferno! Sailor Starlight, Stage On! [Vic] 7:49 pm: I keep my pants off in public.

29th Aug 2009, 10:47 AM	#7
Filip Cecile's sidekick EC Advisor Gender: Male Orientation: Gay Out Status: All but extended family Location: Belgium, EU Age: 28 Posts: 3,366 Join Date: Feb 2009	Re: Well I guess chat is dead Well, when the arcade was new and shiny it did seem like there was no one in chat, and if there was anyone, the only topic seems to be highscores. But today I've been off and on in chat, and there was always someone there. I'm guessing it's just a slow week. A lot of people are getting back into the school year, adjusting to uni or otherwise just outside enjoying the last of the summer (well, those in the northern hemisphere at least) The only reason I'm not in there myself is because I'm getting ready to go out with friends. But I'm sure it's just a temporary lull. Things will pick up again! __________________ To the world, you're somebody, but to somebody, you're the world...

29th Aug 2009, 10:59 AM	#9
Dave Eh Full Member Gender: Male Orientation: Gay Out Status: Out to everyone Location: Bendigo - Australia Age: 22 Posts: 362 Join Date: Oct 2008	Re: Well I guess chat is dead oh yeah and if you didn't realise from my obvious first post, I overeacted and overdramatized everything sorry __________________ "If you can't convince them, confuse them."

29th Aug 2009, 11:11 AM	#10
Martin EC's Red Queen EC Admin Gender: Male Orientation: Gay Out Status: Some people Location: Merseyside, UK Age: 21 Posts: 8,047 Join Date: Nov 2007	Re: Well I guess chat is dead I think the reason for Chat's sudden emptiness is more related to outside factors rather than the Arcade and other EC features. The forum as a whole is at it's busiest between June and August due to both UK and USA schools being out, but the latter have now returned with the UK returning within the next week. That itself reduces time for many of the active members who have to keep a pretty tight schedule going. I did see the concerns that were raised when the Arcade was first installed and have kept an eye on them to see whether they do hold any truth, and I have to say that so far the arcade hasn't contributed to the major decline that is appearing in chat. I admit that it isn't helping, but the regulars who you usually see around at that time aren't on EC at all. This time last month the Chat Room would have an average of about 7/8 members, whereas at this moment the people in the arcade are Eccentric, Fiender, musicgirl112233, Soofdope and zzzzzz123. None of those are regulars who would have a consistent schedule in the chat room (and I think one or two are regular members), so chats under-average activity at this moment in time is not a result of the arcade at all. I've checked this numerous times over the last few days (bar yesterday) and that has been the result that I have seen. The chat regulars who I have seen in the arcade have usually gone back to chat and had discussions about it. I think it's fairly obvious that I'm not going to come in here and criticise the arcade, but if I thought that it ruined EC's reputation or features then I would quite happily see it go. I'm not a games fan in the slightest, but my intentions for getting it installed was to encourage interaction between all member ranks. There is no evidence to suggest that it has ruined support because, even at it's highest peak of activity, posting levels on the forum per day have stayed consistent. This idea that it also qualifies EC as a gaming site is also not very realistic due to EC's other features. School filters are able to block games at their own discretion, whereas chat rooms are banned completely and strictly forbidden in all school networks (at least in my academic experience). To use those arguments would result in the chat room getting dropkicked out of EC's door, which I am sure is not popular with anybody here. As Filip said above, the arcade is a new and shiny feature. The consistent activity on the site, which is my priority, shows that the arcade is not having any effects to EC's support. The activity in chat I mostly put down to offline commitments, whether education related or work related. EC is primarily a support forum, but an arcade and chat room don't destroy that morale in any way. If Chat's activity has plummeted as much as people suggest then it sounds to me like the result of offline commitments rather than a few games. I think a few people have just interpreted the summer high as being the usual levels of activity in chat, and now that things are returning back to usual peeps are interpreting that as being a downfall. Once people have settled back into school then things may pick up a bit, but it's unlikely the levels will increase that much again until the next school vacations. __________________ The blue whale ejaculates up to 40 gallons during sexual intercourse, but only 10 gallons enters the female. Do you still wonder why the sea tastes salty?

29th Aug 2009, 11:27 AM	#11
Dave Eh Full Member Gender: Male Orientation: Gay Out Status: Out to everyone Location: Bendigo - Australia Age: 22 Posts: 362 Join Date: Oct 2008	Re: Well I guess chat is dead as I said in the other forum understood now, I hadn't read the other post before making this __________________ "If you can't convince them, confuse them."

30th Aug 2009, 08:53 AM	#12
Steve EC's Soldier! Full Member Gender: Male Orientation: Sargeant sexual Out Status: whoever asks Location: Born in australia, but now living some where else Age: 21 Posts: 2,273 Join Date: May 2008	Re: Well I guess chat is dead easy . when you get a new gift you will play with it nonstop for some time untill you get bored of it . __________________ Soldier " there is no room for that in my pocklet" commander " if there is room in your heart then there in your pocket" Soldier " i cant fit my gf in there" -r " have you tried ? until you try you dont know"

30th Aug 2009, 09:20 AM	#14
Lexington The gay gargoyle EC Advisor Gender: Male Orientation: Gay Out Status: Out to everyone Location: Colorado Age: 42 Posts: 12,371 Join Date: Dec 2007	Re: Well I guess chat is dead So are we going to rename this section just "Chit"? Lex

30th Aug 2009, 03:19 PM	#15
cicciux Member Regular Member Gender: Male Orientation: Gay Out Status: Out to family and close friends Location: Buenos Aires Age: 25 Posts: 50 Join Date: Aug 2009	Re: Well I guess chat is dead I can't get into chat...