Hi Sammi,
Welcome back , I have to say 2 weeks back from Sept 5 is still Holiday period , and it would not be that unusual for things to be quiet. Having said that , my experience of the chat room is that it very much depends on the voluntary participation of individuals and does most times rely upon a small core to keep it active. As you demonstrate yourself its not usual for many who join this site , to come and go and there to be understandable long breaks . Its kind of not surprising that the chat room is a bit Fickle thing therefore .
A bit like keeping an open air fire going under English weather conditions [ not to mention those of Manchester]
The facilities are there ,but it needs the people to use them . Personally I would not say that there is a concern for overregulation in the Chat room.
Maybe its an issue of why so few people who join migrate to the chat rooms in time , and then become active enough in keeping the fire going.
Donna.
The atmosphere in any chat room is entirely dependant upon the nature of the people that use it and the dynamics between them.
As you say, its not as good as it was back in the day, I miss the headcases lol.
A lot dates back to when The site was called ''Trannyweb'' think the hint is in the name, the name attracted all sorts, quite a few that we did'nt want or need. We needed a revamp, the old chat room kept breaking down, the site in general was acumulating problems with software that could not be repaired or maintained. The solution, a whole new site and a new name, Why a new name? Advertisers and users in general associated the term ''Trannyweb'' with some fith rate sleaze site not very inviting to the more serious.
The Gender Society, seemed a more upmarket name and more serious, as to the chat room people come, people go, some return after a period of time, some don't need us anymore. Some take on other comitments, relationships and circumstances change and find is neccesary to cut back on the amount of time they spend in the chat room. A few left because they did'nt like the new format, BUT it was vital that we upgraded or slowly go under. I even has a new chat room created for those who did'nt want to engage in trans orientated conversations, the social and music room, where one could upload videos in real tims and basically just chill out, or have parties,
Very few of the members here now will remember the theme parties I used to host on the old Trannyweb site. I would decide on a theme, the notable couple were the sleepover and the beach party. where we would change our profile pictures to show ourselves in nightware or beachwear. very succesful, over the sleepover a total of 50 odd people logged in and out and there were at least 20 in the chat room at the height of the party, armed with a couple of bottles of wine and nibbles we would sit at home slowly get off our faces, the ultimate cyber party.
I spend less time in chat now because my domestic circumstances have changed, my GF no longer works late nights. we have to accept things change, its taken me a long time to accept it. I did organise a party a couple of weeks ago in the social room, there were two of us??? Lucky the other person was amusing and interesting. (Maggie) perhaps it was the fact trans related subjects were banned for they event, that put the damper on things.
For the amount of newbies that join on a weekly basis, you would think they would head straight for the chat room, to get the low down on the site, ask questions and socialise. BUT with the new facebook style home page most of the social discourse seems to go on there.
Layla has it, the atmosphere in any chat room depends on the participants, what we need in chat are more diverse people, especially those with a sense of humour. not saying those that use it don't have a sense of humour, what we need is just newbies, joining in.
Its a bit late now but if you wanted headcases in there you should have just asked.
Hi!
As a newer member of the site, I love the layout and feel of the place. But ( you knew i was going to toss a "but" hehe )It took me a week or so to notice chat, and then it was empty. If you wanted to boost chat usage, you may consider moving the link, or adding one, outside the member menu.
Personally, I love a lively chatroom. The ebb and flow of a good conversation, the instant replies, the feel that it is living beings on the other end. That said, I do check the chat to see if anyone is there several times a day, as time permits.
Hope this helps!
Julia your my most favourite and loved headcase xxXxx
Crissie these are the special bits I shall miss . You make me laugh and at times you can do what no other can and that is bring a tear to my eye.
Luv ya to bits xxxx
I wonder if getting rid of Chat Hostesses has removed the "fire watcher" who kept throwing sticks on the fire until someone wandered into chat and found someone else there instead of an empty room. Hey, this chat room works and you can't beat that. I used to have a macro telling people to update Flash and come back, lol.
Maybe I should go into the chat room when im reading my daily news and RSS feeds. Would increase the chance of meeting another member in there.
Be nice to see you in there Wendy. The chat rooms now are more or less self moderating, unfortunately, on TW, a couple of the chat mods, thought they were the tranny police and if anyone disagreed with them, they got booted.
I've never seen anyone in the chatrooms when visiting... is this site a sham?
No Kelly, this site isnt a sham, it just distanced itself from the likes of those that show their ass in their profile pics.
Sammi
I think the reason chat is less prominentl that it previously was is that users kept involving Katie when they felt moderators treated them unfairly.
Katie doesnt seem to involve herself very interactively.
Layla
Chat is more or less self regulating now Layla, the people who use it don't realy need moderators. If people become obnoxious then the group as a whole tend to deal with them. Some of the moderators we used to have became power crazy, ejecting people from chat if they had differences of opinion. I think you and I were the only ones that realy kept things going.
As to Katie becoming involved, she is so busy most of the time beavering away in the background.
But allways look forward to seeing you in there, witty banter and repartee, lol, non sensical exchanges and now and again inteligent discourse.
I used to love the chatroom but Christine is right in saying that the new facebook style of home page is where a lot of the 'chat' now happens.
Yes, there were issues and it did need hostessed in TW to deal with the ones who were there for the wrong reason but it was usually buzzing. Certainly, it tended to be the same kind of crowd but that's normal anywhere you go, whether it's your local bar or cafe. The hostessed did help to keep things moving as well, as Wendy has stated, which I think helped.
I have looked in chat several times since returning and have yet to find anyone in there and there is only so long you can wait on your lonesome without looking rather sad. Maybe theme nights are the way to entice people back into it, or at least to start the ball rolling?
The chatroom was often about personalities and people do come and go, myself included, due to other commitments but those who knew me, knew that I could often be found in the chatroom in the evenings.
Chrissie, as far as non TG chat is concerned, that suits me fine, after all, we are people too and there are plenty of other forums (excuse the pun) to discuss TG issues.
Nikki
kelly anderson said:
I've never seen anyone in the chatrooms when visiting... is this site a sham?
So Kelly lets sum this up then! This site is a sham yeah? Well what were you expecting?.
This website just happens to be unique in more ways than one . It is not sex driven like most Transgender websites and it also has some very well educacted and respected members (not me I am thick).
People come here for many reasons and just because you walk in and find an empty chat room gives you no right to call it a sham.
Looking at your profile seems like you are really busy and very well paid too . So being well paid maybe you could help keep this place going? Of course no one has to its a choice but every little helps from anyone .
Or as you are so totally sexy you could go take a hike with you tennis racket and go play baseball with it . All said in humour of course or was it? You figure me out. but just think about it.