Chat room suggestion from Nathaniel

I propose that we have biweekly or monthly sessions that last between say 2 - 3 hours' date=' where a specific topicis discussed in

depth, with the view to enrich ones knowledge of composition and further expand ones musical palette.

For example, a date could be set and a 2 hour slot, where the topic could be "Pointillistic technique and ways in which to use it"

- we could discuss examples from composers past and present, and discuss ways in which one could incorporate the technique into ones own music.

The sessions could be structured so that the first hour is spent discussing what pointillism is, so that everybody is clear on the

technique, and how composers of the past can use it. The rest of the session could then be spent talking about the technique or concept in more general

terms and altogether being more philosophical.

after the sessions a thread could be opened that has the entire convo copied and pasted for references and where examples of

the exploration of the technique can be posted by users[/quote']

Thoughts? I know we tried scheduled chat times...but since the chatroom seems currently to be completely abandoned, I thought we might try something new.

Assuming some of the members would step up with the coordination and organizational efforts required, this might work and might be interesting

Maybe. I'll try to set something up so there is a link to the chatroom above the shoutbox at the appropriate time, or something.

How are we going to decide on topics etc.?

How are we going to decide on topics etc.?

I think that's where some sort of "chat-topic" committee or chairperson would work.

I'm going to move this thread to the suggestions/announcements thread so we can get some public perspective.

I think the "only" way to encourage chatroom activity is by eliminating the shoutbox. I know most of you do not want this to happen, however, I think this is what needs to be done if we are to have a chatroom (which in fact, is better anyway). Now that the site is getting bigger, perhaps eliminating the public shoutbox should be considered, and replaced with chat schedules on certain topics. This is almost a "for sure" way to get the chatroom active on a regular basis.

We are NOT eliminating the shoutbox. It works.

Chat room activity can be encouraged, but not at the expense of a valuable, much used forum tool.

I agree with Daniel. The shoutbox is valuable and it works. Even when we first got the chatroom and people actually used it, what happened in there was different from the shoutbox. Besides, why force people to navigate to another page and load an app just to see what's going on? The chatroom will never have the same draw the shoutbox does: being right in front of their faces whenever they log in forces people to use it.

I like the idea of having scheduled, topic-oriented sessions. The conversation in the shoutbox is too hard to control for something as structured as that but I think people would really enjoy being able to discuss a topic without being interrupted every few minutes.

...does that make any sense :blink:

Before I get my head chopped off here, I'm certainly up for any suggestions on how to encourage chatroom activity. Chatrooms can be fun too. We could possibly create a wiki page with chat schedules, and have the link to that schedule near the shoutbox at all times.

By keeping the shoutbox, having themed compositional discussion in the actual "chat room" could feel like a real event.

Chatrooms can be fun too.

I don't know why but I find that a hilarious. Duh :laugh:

I like the wiki-schedule idea though.... we just need some themes :shifty:

Hey, this would be a cool thing to have a poll on. Just interest in the chatroom, the shoutbox and potential topics.

[[chatroom schedule]] goes there. Create and collaborate.

I set up a bit of a layout.... I can make a fancier and more user-friendly template later... but now it's nappy time :sleeping:

Is it functional enough?