Chat - Thread watched by the Chat Mods. Give your constructive criticism here!
Hey everyone!!!
Just popping into this forum, I've noticed the VAST amount of complaints made about chat. Since all of these threads are being locked because of their lack of constructive criticism, I thought I'd start this thread to let you know that the chat mod team is AWARE of all the issues that are being brought up and that we are working on them as well as rule revisions.
In the meantime, just a few guidelines to help you get the better out of chat:
1. Say hi when you enter instead of waiting for people to greet you. They may be LOTS of people coming in at the same time or very serious support going on and you may go unnoticed. Don't take it personally ,it happens to everybody, mods included!
2. It is difficult, but if a general conversation is going on and you feel left out, just add yourself in it! If support is going on and you think you may have some insight, post it!!! Everything is useful.
3. If trouble arises with another member, don't involve yourself. Put them on ignore and contact a moderator. If the moderator is already in the room... PLEASE do not intervene in the fight. It makes our job VERY difficult and you may end up in trouble.
4. If you feel someone is openly aggressive, the best solution is to ignore them. If they keep baiting you, send us the log. If you involve yourself in the fight, we will have to infract you too for bad behaviour.
5. If you feel you've asked clearly for support and you're not getting any, try whispering to members you've noticed are more supportive or you get along with better. ASK for support, don't demand it. Saying please also helps. Also, EXPLAIN the situation as best as you can. It's very hard to support someone who won't explain the circumstances of their trigger or problem.
6. Leaving in a huff, dramatic exits, crying faces, curling up in corners etc... are not asking for support. People are not psychic and they may not always realise how badly you need help right there and then. They may underestimate your need for support and this usually results in you getting even more stressed and them getting mean.
7. PLEASE TALK TO THE MODS. our email box is ALWAYS open. We may not respond directly to your emails but that's because we have to discuss things first!
here is a little reminder of the address: chatmods@recoveryourlife.com
I'm really glad this thread has been made, as Chat can some times be a very intimidating place these days. More of an effort needs to be made to make sure people are using the right rooms for the right reasons and tha people aren't over looked or ignored.
~*~ Proud Cat Owner ~*~
"The smallest feline is a masterpiece." - Leonardo Da Vinci
On the use of rooms, I have to say it's very very difficult to enforce for a number of reasons, but we've seen a GIGANTIC amelioration since the room names have been changed to something obvious and easier to remember and that's amazing already so thanks to everyone who participates in moving rooms when the topic changes.
To be honest as a member of the site for six years and i've seen every version of chat, like daisy and a few of the other mods will have aswell and some of the members, this has been one of the better but it is only made great by the people in it. This chat is more friendly and more supportive, and despite the few threads popping up to disagree this fact that is only a few people that more than likely weren't doing what Daisy said or just sat there and did nothing.
I don't think it's chat that need to change at all as it's fine as it is.
Ok, this is going to sound really lame, and probably isnt do-able, i dunno, i dont really use chat, but ive noticed that a lot of the threads seem to be from people that dont use chat often feeling left out etc..
could you have like.. an hour one evening a week/fortnight/month that general chat is dedicated to the new people talking to other new people... or to regulars that want to talk to new folk.. and sort of.. break them in gently? make it purely for random chit chat and not for new people wanting support..
That's definitely an idea and it wouldn't disrupt chat since we have the possibility to make new rooms. A few concerns arise from it but definitely something to mention on the mods boards
Thanks!
I can't believe this list is necessary, everything that Daisy has said is basically just common sense.
Alas, common sense is not that common.
Wake me up before I change again
Remind me the story that I won't get insane
Tell me why it's always the same
Explain me the reason why I'm so much in pain.
I've pretty much already exhausted my ideas, I just want to say thanks and good job for the mods actually listening to complaints and critisms and working to make things better.
i think those tips are great and everything but sometimes like if you really need support and you do all those things and your still not getting it it is hard not to leave in a huff.
I think if you're not getting the support you need at that precise moment in chat, the best you can do is post a thread in the support boards, distract yourself for a while at the arcade and try again. Sometimes support is just not available because no one is in the right place for it and new people may come into chat. Or they may be busy supporting another member.
I like the idea of having specific time/specific temporary rooms to have general chit chat with newer members.
Anything we can do to get rid of the strange smell in chat? A spring clean is in need I think.
Sophie.x
Soon... Now will be then...Today will be yesterday... Present will be past...And thought will be memory... So...Live for the future! Make your future how you want it!
I think the introduction chat open to those new to chat and regulars who want to break people in gently is a great idea. chat can be very intimidating and is very hard to breal into if you are in need of support and trying to navigate it as a new member. I also think that trying to go into chat when you are in a good space and going into a non serious room to get the rhythm is something for people to try
listen and learn
the universe speaks
as we crawl and crave
as we love and weep
there is no fate
there is only what we make
Can i just comment and say that tonight in chat it was horrible! there was so much tension in most of the rooms, a sitution had arise before i entered but it was awful to be in chat.
♥ If you don't like how things are, change it. You are not a tree! ♥
One of the things with chat is that it's in real time. Unlike the forums, there is really no time delay in order to do things behind the scenes, so everything is super visible. This makes it difficult to handle at times. :(
Daisy, Thank you. Well Said. The mods have a tough job and I appreciate that they are there at all!
Please may I add, please don't critisise the way regular members are supporting? We do our best.
My husband is my best friend.
In forgiving others, we are not exonerating them. They may not deserve exoneration. Rather, in forgiving others we are giving up our anger over the fact that what happened is not what "should" have happened or that our life is not the way it "should" have been.
I like the idea of having a period of time dedicated to welcomming new members, I think at least the general chat rooms should have that enforced for a couple of hours each week. It can be publicised on the main boards and in all the 'How to' threads etc.
I rarely go in chat, Im a regular member and dont feel hugely unwelcome or anything but I still find it hard to 'break the ice' and actually be part of a conversation.
L_M_G is my mummy :) inkerman and razorbladedarling are my two non-identical twin sprogs (concieved on same day) Scabette< cos she has the cutest puppy dog eyes and i cant resist!feeling-afraid< my bottle of glitter!! which i just have to have :Pmidnight stars< my gorgeous sister, whom i love to bits ;) Dance With The Fairy< *star*gazing*buddie :] Broken-Fairy is my partner in crime ;) little_miss is my real life saviour PaperClip is my stationary queen
A spring clean is in need I think.
