Friends of Comic Cons

Forum Development => Forum Rules and Announcements => Topic started by: alyssa on October 12, 2019, 08:44:32 AM

Title: ANNOUNCEMENT: ChatBox turned off please use DISCORD -- LINK inside
Post by: alyssa on October 12, 2019, 08:44:32 AM
https://discord.gg/WYzS6z

^^^^ link to discord group
Title: Re: ANNOUNCEMENT: ChatBox turned off please use DISCORD -- LINK inside
Post by: Miss Kitty on October 12, 2019, 07:49:06 PM
For those in the same boat as me, what does this mean?

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk

Title: Re: ANNOUNCEMENT: ChatBox turned off please use DISCORD -- LINK inside
Post by: Car_Low on October 12, 2019, 11:45:40 PM
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login
For those in the same boat as me, what does this mean?

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk

Basically a more modern version of instant messaging crossed with skype. Its kinda similar to Slack if you're familiar with that. Makes it easier to communicate with others at con versus using the forum.
Title: Re: ANNOUNCEMENT: ChatBox turned off please use DISCORD -- LINK inside
Post by: Miss Kitty on October 13, 2019, 06:09:38 AM
So is this platform going away?

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk

Title: Re: ANNOUNCEMENT: ChatBox turned off please use DISCORD -- LINK inside
Post by: SamTurtledove on October 13, 2019, 08:58:40 AM
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login
So is this platform going away?

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk
The PC/online version of the forum had a chat function called a "Shoutbox," seen at top.  That's what is being referred as the Chatbox here.

Seems that part of the forum hasn't been working the last few months and noticed right before the sale yesterday.

https://www.friendsofcc.com/forum/index.php?topic=11234.msg289040.msg#289040


 The Chatbox got heavy use during badge and hotel sales, in previous years.

I think the Discord link was meant only to replace that chat dynamic, only.
Title: Re: ANNOUNCEMENT: ChatBox turned off please use DISCORD -- LINK inside
Post by: chocolateshake on October 13, 2019, 11:17:35 AM
The issue I see with this is that it splits the forum.  There will be people that never use discord.  At best, now we have to monitor two sites.  This was a problem during the last comic-con.  I never looked at discord.  Some posts made on this site weren't seen until later.  I don't understand why making and reading posts on this website is so slow that we need discord.  Messages show up instantly.  It's quite common to have a real time dialog using posts.

May I suggest that instead of disposing of the chatbox, that it be re-implemented using discord as it's back end.  It's possible to embed a discord discussion onto a page.  That way, this site can still be the common place for all friends to meet.
Title: Re: ANNOUNCEMENT: ChatBox turned off please use DISCORD -- LINK inside
Post by: alyssa on October 13, 2019, 02:31:56 PM
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login
The issue I see with this is that it splits the forum.  There will be people that never use discord.  At best, now we have to monitor two sites.  This was a problem during the last comic-con.  I never looked at discord.  Some posts made on this site weren't seen until later.  I don't understand why making and reading posts on this website is so slow that we need discord.  Messages show up instantly.  It's quite common to have a real time dialog using posts.

May I suggest that instead of disposing of the chatbox, that it be re-implemented using discord as it's back end.  It's possible to embed a discord discussion onto a page.  That way, this site can still be the common place for all friends to meet.

Interesting idea [member=6586]chocolateshake[/member]
there are folks working on integration of discord and SMF https://www.smfhacks.com/index.php?action=downloads;sa=view;id=212
[member=3710]SteveD[/member] [member=13]Car_Low[/member] ....thoughts ?
Title: Re: ANNOUNCEMENT: ChatBox turned off please use DISCORD -- LINK inside
Post by: Car_Low on October 13, 2019, 04:59:36 PM
Problem I had with the forum is you can't curate notifications to only be on just the announcement of something you have to get it for all the messages. With the role tags if you only want Conan updates on discord someone can just type "@Conan tickets are up for CocoHouse" and you will only get the notification for that instead of the hundreds of comments on the thread saying "I wonder when the tickets will drop I think it probably will be on X". Its more for time sensitive things rather than long term discussion. Many times by the time its posted on discord its gone within a minute or two so you have to have that instant role tag notification so it doesnt get lost in the shuffle of other things. Also, I found that the discord was a lot more active when on site during con. I found that during the actual con the forum would be a ghost town there would only be a few posts here and there that come in at the end of the day after stuff had happened where as the discord had people posting right away when they found things with the role tags. You don't have to monitor discord like you would the forum just have the right roles selected and mobile notifications on and you can set it and forget it until something important comes up.
Title: Re: ANNOUNCEMENT: ChatBox turned off please use DISCORD -- LINK inside
Post by: alyssa on October 13, 2019, 06:09:25 PM
i've long wanted an integration of a chat feature and the forum.

I'm not sure the package from smfhack will further that goal or not

You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login
So is this platform going away?
no!
the forum is the easiest way of dealing with big goals- like planing for hotels, badge sales. Discord is the easiest way of communicating while at con. Tapatalk is too cumbersom, the old chatbox it too generic as [member=13]Car_Low[/member] said
Title: Re: ANNOUNCEMENT: ChatBox turned off please use DISCORD -- LINK inside
Post by: chocolateshake on October 14, 2019, 01:38:16 PM
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login
I found that during the actual con the forum would be a ghost town there would only be a few posts here and there that come in at the end of the day after stuff had happened where as the discord had people posting right away when they found things with the role tags.

That's the split I described earlier.  During the last comic-con there were the discord people and the non-discord people.  Effectively, discord became just another comic-con forum separate from this forum.  This year there was definitely a noticeable loss of activity during comic-con on this forum because of that.

Discord by it's design, requires an account.  You just can't browse it without one, even if it's a temporary account.  It's effectively private.  The majority of people that visit friends don't have accounts or don't log in.  Right now there are 58 guests and only 8 people logged in.  Those guests won't transfer over to discord.  The lack of activity here because it's happening on discord leads to less content here.  During this last comic-con, I had to look elsewhere to see what was going on.
Title: Re: ANNOUNCEMENT: ChatBox turned off please use DISCORD -- LINK inside
Post by: Michaelnaut on October 14, 2019, 05:51:17 PM
Maybe we should see/try the discord chat embed just to try it out.  See (1) the level of effort to integrate it in, and (2) see how the site handles it (both from a site-hosting perspective and a user-interaction one).
Title: Re: ANNOUNCEMENT: ChatBox turned off please use DISCORD -- LINK inside
Post by: Car_Low on October 15, 2019, 01:47:15 AM
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login
The majority of people that visit friends don't have accounts or don't log in.  Right now there are 58 guests and only 8 people logged in.  Those guests won't transfer over to discord. 

If they don't have forum account they won't exactly be contributing on the forum to add to the activity either. I see it as just a perk of joining the community versus lurking.

You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login
The lack of activity here because it's happening on discord leads to less content here.  During this last comic-con, I had to look elsewhere to see what was going on.

I found it lacking in activity in previous cons also not just this year. Like theres a big shift on how much posts there is pre con versus during con. With Discord there's a lot of active users during con since its just as easy as sending a text to get messages out. Maybe its just me but I found that people would post stuff as things are going on more in discord versus in previous years on the forum people would post after it already happened at con so you would still be missing out. Or you wouldn't see it before its too late. With discord you can set notifications to what you like and it will notify you if something pertaining to your interests shows up.

We set it up super last minute last year so I can see why that split happened and some were left in the dark. But I just think discord lends itself to rapid spread of information better than the forum can handle. Like the forum is great for long form discussion and searching for info but if you need something time sensitive sent out Discord is better. The Discord group had a lot of success when it came to the RSVPs and event tickets as the role notifications would tell everyone to get on and sign up. The forum would have it posted at roughly the same time and we had better luck getting tickets than those outside because its just easier to get notified with Discord and see something new is up that needs your attention.
Title: Re: ANNOUNCEMENT: ChatBox turned off please use DISCORD -- LINK inside
Post by: stl_ben on October 15, 2019, 07:10:29 AM
Dischord or bust.
Title: Re: ANNOUNCEMENT: ChatBox turned off please use DISCORD -- LINK inside
Post by: alyssa on October 15, 2019, 07:59:32 AM
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login
Maybe we should see/try the discord chat embed just to try it out.  See (1) the level of effort to integrate it in, and (2) see how the site handles it (both from a site-hosting perspective and a user-interaction one).
i have not found an integration to add discord into the forum. there is one that works the other way
Title: Re: ANNOUNCEMENT: ChatBox turned off please use DISCORD -- LINK inside
Post by: Car_Low on October 15, 2019, 11:05:10 AM
I found this https://widgetbot.io/ not sure how well it will play with the forum.

I would have to change the permissions on the server to make it open so that you no longer have the read the rules page and select the attendee role to see the rest of the channels. I think you’d still need a discord account to post.
Title: Re: ANNOUNCEMENT: ChatBox turned off please use DISCORD -- LINK inside
Post by: chocolateshake on October 15, 2019, 11:26:05 AM
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login
If they don't have forum account they won't exactly be contributing on the forum to add to the activity either. I see it as just a perk of joining the community versus lurking.

As with any forum, the vast majority of readers don't contribute.  That's just how it is.  But those lurkers contribute in their own way.  For most forums that run off of ads, they generate revenue for the forum.  Even without ads, someone who does contribute is more willing to contribute if they know that their contribution will be read by hundreds of people instead of tens.  If not many people will read a post, then there's really no reason to post.

You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login
I found it lacking in activity in previous cons also not just this year. Like theres a big shift on how much posts there is pre con versus during con. With Discord there's a lot of active users during con since its just as easy as sending a text to get messages out. Maybe its just me but I found that people would post stuff as things are going on more in discord versus in previous years on the forum people would post after it already happened at con so you would still be missing out. Or you wouldn't see it before its too late. With discord you can set notifications to what you like and it will notify you if something pertaining to your interests shows up.

Having it in discord makes it private.  Especially to a search engine.  So if people are searching for sites that will help them stay current during comic-con, this site will simply not show up if everyone is on discord during that time.  Also having it on discord loses that information for future reference.  As what tends to happen, people look back to previous years in the forum to see what to expect this coming year.  But if all those posts happen on discord, then there's nothing to look back upon.
Title: Re: ANNOUNCEMENT: ChatBox turned off please use DISCORD -- LINK inside
Post by: chocolateshake on October 15, 2019, 11:51:14 AM
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login
I found this https://widgetbot.io/ not sure how well it will play with the forum.

I would have to change the permissions on the server to make it open so that you no longer have the read the rules page and select the attendee role to see the rest of the channels. I think you’d still need a discord account to post.

Here's another way to do it.  Instead of integrating something into SMF, just have a discord powered chatbox share the page with SMF in an iframe.  An iframe can be embedded into a SMF powered forum.  Nothing has to change with the SMF server.  It's just inserting a line of HTML code.  It can be put into the space where the old chatbox was.

Here's the software to run a discord backed chatbox in an iframe.

https://titanembeds.com
https://github.com/TitanEmbeds/Titan
Title: Re: ANNOUNCEMENT: ChatBox turned off please use DISCORD -- LINK inside
Post by: stl_ben on October 16, 2019, 06:37:37 AM
I really don't want to sound harsh, but I don't understand telling others the dischord should be removed and not used.
I think last year everyone that used it found it EXTREMELY helpful.
So are you asking them to stop using something that made the con better for them?
As technology changes I think it's for sure better to evolve with it, as if you get stuck in the same ole ways you will miss out.

...

Or you can dig up my geocities page about the cool things coming to SDCC next year.
Title: Re: ANNOUNCEMENT: ChatBox turned off please use DISCORD -- LINK inside
Post by: SamTurtledove on October 16, 2019, 10:33:53 AM
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login
If they don't have forum account they won't exactly be contributing on the forum to add to the activity either. I see it as just a perk of joining the community versus lurking.

A limited number of folks did use that part, the Chatbox, as an informal place to post during badge sales.  Chat area got way more activity that the Returning and Open Registration threads during the Live Sales. And forum members who participated even offered extra Registration advice, even as they ran their own groups.

In sales, the Chatbox, which still required you to sign in to view and add posts, could also be popped out as a separate window, "physically split" from the forum. No one could lurk the chat until they had already signed in. We did try to archive Chat successes in the forum threads the last few years, to honor those contributions, though!


You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login

I found it lacking in activity in previous cons also not just this year. Like theres a big shift on how much posts there is pre con versus during con. With Discord there's a lot of active users during con since its just as easy as sending a text to get messages out. Maybe its just me but I found that people would post stuff as things are going on more in discord versus in previous years on the forum people would post after it already happened at con so you would still be missing out. Or you wouldn't see it before its too late. With discord you can set notifications to what you like and it will notify you if something pertaining to your interests shows up.

We set it up super last minute last year so I can see why that split happened and some were left in the dark. But I just think discord lends itself to rapid spread of information better than the forum can handle. Like the forum is great for long form discussion and searching for info but if you need something time sensitive sent out Discord is better. The Discord group had a lot of success when it came to the RSVPs and event tickets as the role notifications would tell everyone to get on and sign up. The forum would have it posted at roughly the same time and we had better luck getting tickets than those outside because its just easier to get notified with Discord and see something new is up that needs your attention.

It seemed that Chatbox was being used as a Messenger perk, for it's Live function, during sales. I think if previous Chat participants saw us using Discord more (and surviving it's learning curve), they'd feel more comfortable.

You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login
The issue I see with this is that it splits the forum.  There will be people that never use discord.  At best, now we have to monitor two sites.  This was a problem during the last comic-con.  I never looked at discord.  Some posts made on this site weren't seen until later.  I don't understand why making and reading posts on this website is so slow that we need discord.  Messages show up instantly.  It's quite common to have a real time dialog using posts.

May I suggest that instead of disposing of the chatbox, that it be re-implemented using discord as it's back end.  It's possible to embed a discord discussion onto a page.  That way, this site can still be the common place for all friends to meet.


Yes, a Chatbox or similar replacement will be needed for Open Registration, IMO. 

Chat Messages posted Live results a lot quicker than forum thread posts. If Chat is moved to Discord, it may allow for Tapatalk users, and those on work-restrcted devices, to view all aspects of these sales during real time.

Forum threads have the drawback of a frequency limit of how often you can post in the thread, the "your last post was 30 seconds ago, please wait" problem.  I'm also not a current Discord user, though I'm getting close to acceptance.
Title: Re: ANNOUNCEMENT: ChatBox turned off please use DISCORD -- LINK inside
Post by: Mel on October 16, 2019, 11:51:48 AM
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login
I really don't want to sound harsh, but I don't understand telling others the dischord should be removed and not used.
I think last year everyone that used it found it EXTREMELY helpful.
So are you asking them to stop using something that made the con better for them?
As technology changes I think it's for sure better to evolve with it, as if you get stuck in the same ole ways you will miss out.

...

Or you can dig up my geocities page about the cool things coming to SDCC next year.
I believe he's trying to tell Admins how to integrate Discord into the forum. He's also saying that moving "during con" over there means that we haveno way now to search or look up things people were saying during Con in the past, so that's something we lose with the Discord.

I've had similar concerns. Without integrating it somehow people are just going to choose one or the other. One of the best things about this forum is the archives and discussions. It's really the only place on the internet to get the real picture and reliable advice from real conheads.

Anyone can use as they wish and what they wish, but attempts at or ideas about integrating are certainly welcome by me. Searching Discord isn't my favorite thing......guess we will see how it progresses. I find the "advancements" in communication technology definitely don't favor substance, which is disappointing to me most of the time.

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk

Title: Re: ANNOUNCEMENT: ChatBox turned off please use DISCORD -- LINK inside
Post by: alyssa on October 16, 2019, 12:14:36 PM
fyi, i'm loving all the feedback -- this is a community run by its' members and as such i try and keep it on track for us all.

the reality is technology is changing and we have to change with it. evolve or die which means trying to use the engine of discord to our benefit

but we do have choices- we're trying to sort out the solution suggested by [member=6586]chocolateshake[/member] however irl time issues and knowledge base become hurdles

i can also throw money at the problem & sort out the old chat box... tbh, i was contemplating deprecating it anyway tho


Title: Re: ANNOUNCEMENT: ChatBox turned off please use DISCORD -- LINK inside
Post by: Transmute Jun on October 16, 2019, 12:30:50 PM
The problem with Discord is that the chat happens so fast and it is difficult to follow unless you are on it constantly. On FoCC, if I am working for 6-8 hours, I can come and easily find the new messages and catch up and participate by responding to the specific things that are relevant. On Discord, everything is buried so quickly that you can really only respond if you are on at the time the original message is posted. Yes there was a lot of information posted during the con this year, but I missed the majority of it because I was busy during the con. I checked in a couple of times a day and found way too many messages to sort through.

Essentially, Discord is designed for short-term chat and discussion. Discussion during a badge sale is ideally suited to Discord. But the forums are suited for long-term discussions, and archiving of old discussions/information. IMHO, this is far more valuable than immediate chat needs. 
Title: Re: ANNOUNCEMENT: ChatBox turned off please use DISCORD -- LINK inside
Post by: alyssa on October 16, 2019, 12:37:13 PM
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login
The problem with Discord is that the chat happens so fast and it is difficult to follow unless you are on it constantly. On FoCC, if I am working for 6-8 hours, I can come and easily find the new messages and catch up and participate by responding to the specific things that are relevant. On Discord, everything is buried so quickly that you can really only respond if you are on at the time the original message is posted. Yes there was a lot of information posted during the con this year, but I missed the majority of it because I was busy during the con. I checked in a couple of times a day and found way too many messages to sort through.

Essentially, Discord is designed for short-term chat and discussion. Discussion during a badge sale is ideally suited to Discord. But the forums are suited for long-term discussions, and archiving of old discussions/information. IMHO, this is far more valuable than immediate chat needs. 
My plan is ....
focc is for everyday longterm chat, discord for quick moving stuff like badge sale for general folks (not buying groups) swag drops & line updates at con etc. the heart of the community is the forum-
Title: Re: ANNOUNCEMENT: ChatBox turned off please use DISCORD -- LINK inside
Post by: Car_Low on October 16, 2019, 06:39:03 PM
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login
Essentially, Discord is designed for short-term chat and discussion. Discussion during a badge sale is ideally suited to Discord. But the forums are suited for long-term discussions, and archiving of old discussions/information. IMHO, this is far more valuable than immediate chat needs.

That's basically how it is now. The discord is pretty quiet until something new drops that people get notified about or everyone is onsite at con. There's more regular discussion here at all other times.
Title: Re: ANNOUNCEMENT: ChatBox turned off please use DISCORD -- LINK inside
Post by: chocolateshake on October 16, 2019, 09:07:16 PM
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login
Essentially, Discord is designed for short-term chat and discussion.

That's exactly what discord is.  It's teamspeak for people while playing multiplayer games.  What happened 15 seconds ago let alone 15 minutes ago is old news.  No one cares.  It's about what to do right now.  You go left, I'll go right.  That's also why it's private.  The last thing a team wants is for the rival team to eavesdrop on tactics.
Title: Re: ANNOUNCEMENT: ChatBox turned off please use DISCORD -- LINK inside
Post by: stl_ben on October 17, 2019, 09:26:51 AM
Short term is fine for me...
I know some people like the archive, but it does nothing for me.
Much like the con itself lots of different things that interest all people.