^I second this
I would say that for me personally the chat feature has actually increased my amount of posts, instead of just checking new posts once in a while I’m on for a more consistent period of time chatting with people. This allows me to read a post, take some time, and respond later on.
Just my 2 cents.
Like I said in all of my posts I’m not saying we should get rid of the chat. That’s great that some people enjoy the chat. I agree with Ed though…some members only chat…I mean whatever floats your boat I suppose.
It just seems as if the members that only chat are limited when they can access the pa. If no one else is around (i.e. weekends, late at night) what do you do? Do you only come to the pa during peak hours?
I honestly am just looking for feedback. Certainly not calling for any rash decisions.
Let me take this a step further, you have to have a valid account, be logged in and also post to the chat to ‘open’ that door… This way the ‘lurkers’ with accounts that never post have to either commit to the chat or just go post… They would not be able to see the postings in the chat without chatting themselves!!! 
^ Isn’t that almost exactly like much how the lounge worked?
You couldn’t see convo’s until you logged on, and went in. And that sweet music played when the door opened & closed. The only thing that made it anonymous was that you could change your name in there to anything… I can’t say I didn’t pick a couple dumb ones from time to time. 
^I think it might have worked that way, but the name changing thing made no sense to me…
Agreed^
Having been here since 2005 I totally understand this, hell the good friends I have, I met were before the chat stream, but the recent group and recent chat has allowed that personal touch grow for me…
Knowing so many great OKP folks and being a part of this site makes me smile and I am proud to be allowed to be a member!
Ohh, and the humor thing Glenn, we all still have it, we’re just all older now! 
Edited to remove 99% of it.
In a nutshell, I think the real question here (or at least the one that might have a productive answer) should be “how can we increase people’s participation in the threads?” not “is the chat hurting OKP” or “can we make people stop chatting somehow and force them into the forums instead.”
If you have more chat posts than board posts, I wonder about you.
And yes, I am looking at you, Kantastic.
::politely backs out of the now-heated argument::
::admires new extra post::
Considering I’ve NEVER used the chat feature I would say yes, yes it has hurt the Pa.
Yeah, this is definitely a good conversation to have. That was just my own part of the open discussion. Why are you jumping the gun, Glenn?
BTW: +1 post.
Yeah, me neither.
My ideal scenario for ‘chat’ would be the lounge style, where your user name stays with you like it does in chat on this board.
And more sound effects.
:whip:
meow
meow
meow
NO KITTY THIS IS MY POT PIE
whip
moseys into chat room
(+1 post)
Not at all, Eric, I was just curious if we even had those sort of powers w/o Ian on hand. I also think that moving could be an option if enough people don’t want it.
I could go either way on it and I think we should have a vote. I haven’t been on much, but am slowly getting back into it and I feel I can manage my chat/posting time accordingly.
I don’t use the chat much at all… but I have no problem with people who do. A lot of chatters probably wouldn’t post much more often anyways, even if the chat was gone. Most of the chats go something along the lines of:
Chatter 1: “Hey folks”
(5 minute pause)
Chatter 2: “Hey!”
Chatter 1: “What’s up?”
Chatter 2: “Not much! Just about to eat a twinkie and then I’m going to Wal-Mart to get a desk chair because mine broke.”
Chatter 1: “I hate broken desk chairs”
(20 minute pause)
Chatter 2: “Sorry, I went to Wal-Mart. I’m back now”
(crickets)
Chatter 2: “Gotta go! Peace Pa!”
Wouldn’t make the greatest thread, IMO. But, who knows…
I do both…Threads are good for important info on Phish (dates, tours, shows), and chat is good for small talk (asking Doug what dogfood he uses). They both have their use.
Keith, I read this as - “Ask Doug what bacon he likes…”
LOL
Chat is a good place for us regulars to have some discussions!