POLL - The Shoutbox

[Red]

I didn't know there'd been racism and homophobia in there. If that's happened then at least get Shoutbox off the front of the forum.

 

[Aberstone]

I haven't done so but I'm quite glad that others have felt moved to complain. I've always harboured reservations about the shoutbox but I always felt that I could at least appreciate its appeal as a place for irreverent, though essentially good-natured, bantz. I find it altogether harder to find anything enjoyable about some of the casual racism, sexism and homophobia that increasingly seems to crop up there, nor the tedious exchanges in which the word "c***" crops up about a dozen times. Now, I'm not really fussed about bad language and I don't want this forum to be become particularly censorious but I can't imagine that any of these things are really going to do much to entice prospective new members to join. So yes, it ought to enjoy a less prominent position on the forum, but I think the culture of the box needs to change somewhat too because at the moment it's absolutely fine one minute, a huge great clusterfuck of awfulness the next, depending on which members are hanging out there. Needs to lose some of the nastiness in my very humble opinion.

I didn't complain, but recommended that the Box be moved to the bottom of the forum layout. That coupled with genuine complaints is what's triggered this poll (and good on the Admin for putting it to a popular vote). The prospective new members argument is irrelevant as the shoutbox is only visible to those who have signed up to 1FF. Toning down the issues you've alluded to before may result in greater numbers of people using the box as I can appreciate that it looks quite cliquey to outsiders.

Box etiquette is simple - treat others the way you wish to be treated.

 

[Stevencc]

What if you are a masochist though?

 

[Aberstone]

What if you are a masochist though?

Great, I've felt so alone in the box.

 

[Vanni]

I'm with Veggie Legs - make it accessible only to site supporters. That way those that log in only to read the forums don't get to see it.

 

[Don Tonberry]

I like the shoutbox as it is. Gives me the opportunity to chat to other members of the board I wouldn't otherwise see. I wouldn't pay for it, though. I'm a tightfisted bastard.