Hi there -- I didn't see a thread like this, so I apologize if there's already been one!

Has anyone looked into implementing a real-time chat room, like through IRC or something similar?

Spam comes to mind, but we could lock the link to the chat in a subforum only accessible to members registered to 20+ days, like we do with signatures...

I think it would be so cool to chat in real-time with other 3FC members! Can you just imagine hopping on when you get a chocolate craving?

That is an amazing idea!!!! Why don't you contact 3FC. I have e-mailed them before and they are quick to respond. Just click on contact us at the bottom of the page. Your idea would help so many people! I have accidently opened a number of posts at all times of the day and night where someone is just looking for someone to talk to to gety through a craving. Why didn't I think of that!! Good job! Hope it works out.

We have had a chat room in the past, but unfortunately it didn't work out. Teenagers and porn come to mind!

Oh jeez! That is priceless!

How about something like a messenger contact swap in a similarly protected forum to prevent spam? Would that work?

WOW! Love this idea. Hope we can do something like this!

Raichu, I'd suggest PMing your info to people you want to chat with via messenger. Having a separate forum doesn't really stop anything, it just gives them one more step.

If the chat function had been really successful otherwise, it would be more worth looking in to for an alternative. It was a very expensive program. required lots of moderation, and utilized very little compared to the rest of the forum.