13-02-2009, 19:34
As many will be aware, the forum has a new chatbox. This is just a few words to explain why there was a change.
The original shoutbox got more use than is typical for a shoutbox and was actually using up quite a lot of forum resources with the amount of use it was getting, all the more so because it was located on the index page and was therefore being loaded by just about every visitor to the site. Usually being loaded by all visitors is regarded as good for a shoutbox, as shoutboxes typically contain announcements or shouts that the author wants to be seen by everyone who visits the forum. However, in our case the shoutbox was being used more for real time chat than for shouts to the forum, so it was being loaded by a lot of people who didn't need to view it.
The view was taken that it would be better for the shoutbox to have a page of it's own, as it would then only be loaded by those who actually wanted to view it. But having a page of its own also allows a better choice of boxes, so if the shoutbox was going to have a page of its own the view was taken that perhaps something more advanced shoud be used instead, i.e a chatbox that was more designed for real time chat rather than for just shouts. The original shoutbox worked pretty well and was about the best option that could be added to the site when it was located on the index page, but once you move chat to a separate page it enables something much better to be used.
Hopefully all those using the chatbox will find it an improvement on the old shoutbox, whilst those who aren't interested in the chat can rest asssured that it's no longer located on the index page and doesn't have to be loaded by everyone whether they are interested in it or not.
Forum Admin
The original shoutbox got more use than is typical for a shoutbox and was actually using up quite a lot of forum resources with the amount of use it was getting, all the more so because it was located on the index page and was therefore being loaded by just about every visitor to the site. Usually being loaded by all visitors is regarded as good for a shoutbox, as shoutboxes typically contain announcements or shouts that the author wants to be seen by everyone who visits the forum. However, in our case the shoutbox was being used more for real time chat than for shouts to the forum, so it was being loaded by a lot of people who didn't need to view it.
The view was taken that it would be better for the shoutbox to have a page of it's own, as it would then only be loaded by those who actually wanted to view it. But having a page of its own also allows a better choice of boxes, so if the shoutbox was going to have a page of its own the view was taken that perhaps something more advanced shoud be used instead, i.e a chatbox that was more designed for real time chat rather than for just shouts. The original shoutbox worked pretty well and was about the best option that could be added to the site when it was located on the index page, but once you move chat to a separate page it enables something much better to be used.
Hopefully all those using the chatbox will find it an improvement on the old shoutbox, whilst those who aren't interested in the chat can rest asssured that it's no longer located on the index page and doesn't have to be loaded by everyone whether they are interested in it or not.
Forum Admin
