Leopard Gecko Chat Nights... need input!

I think our scheduled chats on the 1st Tuesday and 3rd Sunday of every month have been very successful, and it's great to see several Fauna members utilizing the Leopard Gecko Chat room for 'impromptu' chats more often! I think this is what Webslave had in mind when I volunteered to help promote these scheduled chats. I would like to mention that I have had members contact me about making some changes and improvements, as well as voice some concerns in regard to the content of discussions during the chats, so I am starting this thread to get an idea for how everyone else feels. Please keep in mind that I do not want to be looked upon as a chat 'moderator'... just someone who wants to help Webslave by taking some of the burden off.

The legitimate concerns some of the people have in regard to the content of our chats are primarily in regard to off-topic conversations, and especially when they are of an adult nature. Sunday night's chat became offensive and inappropriate for other members when the conversation drifted from leopard gecko reproduction and anatomy to pornography and Mr. Bobbit's anatomy. Also, several chats ago quite a few male members began a barrage of suggestive remarks and connotations toward one of the female members in regard to her physical appearance and attributes. Several chatters (including myself) found this to be disrespectful and sophmoric to not only her, but the rest of the members. Please... let's be considerate of others, and realize that there are minors on board as well as folks that do not find this type of conversation amusing and are offended by it. Staying on topic will also help alleviate this from occurring, and if we are not utilizing Leopard Gecko Chat the way it was intended, it would not be out of the scope of reality that Webslave could just pull the plug on it!

Now, with that being said (whew!) I would like to ask how we would like to see our scheduled chat nights improve and become a better tool, and be utilized for the benefit of the majority of it's users. Some points to ponder might be: do we want a specific topic each chat? Would we like to see guests for Q&A's? Should our chats be moderated and more structured, or just keep them as kind of an open free-for-all conversation platform? So... take the poll, and post your ideas and feelings on how we can make our two scheduled chats each month even more worthwhile!

Marcia, I voted that we need to stay on topic more. I have not been offended by the (in your words and a good choice I might add) sophmoric behavior. I am not easily offend but I do become annoyed when it gets out of hand and this does happen quite easily. Some good topics would also be nice. I am not a fan of the heavily regulated and moderated chats. I do however see why they are done that way. The occasional guest willing to answer questions would also be great. I think that when and if there are guest chats it should be handled with more moderation. Some people just can't help themsleves from being obnoxious.
Some wouldn't even know if they were doing it. I am thrilled with the fact that chat ihas been taking off anf do enjoy it very much. I thank everyone involved for their efforts. I also thank everyone who shows up.

I think the moderating should be left up to the people using the chat.... If it gets out of hand WE should police ourselves..... I think it should stay on the topic of leos but I do not think just one topic in particular, would be very interesting...... I say free chat as long as it stays on the topic of leos....

last sunday was my first leo chat and i thought it was a great way to communicate with people and share info but i have to admit i was a little surprised by some of the content but i would much rather censor the content myself by disregarding the nonsense than i would have someone babysitting us, im sure whoevers job that would be has other things to do, if the majority of us who dont care for the nonsense would not encourage the behavior by giving them the attention maybe we could do it ourselves
anyways i did enjoy the chat and would hate to see it end when imjust gettin started

I voted to stay on topic more, also. Its not that I'm offended by the other, just bored. It seems a waste to be in a room full of top leo breeders and not talk leos. For the adult chatter, one can go to any of the many many chats on IRC any time of the day or nite!

Tough topic. It is hard to keep up with so many people when we have free chats, and it leaves open a chance for straying. I have been chatting since I have been online I think. I guess that is how it works for a teen. If we keep a strict topic and have guests it may be cool, but with too many chatters (which is actually good, a high #), our chat will be more like a moderated Q and A like on KS. I dont particularly like that... so I dont really know. I think if we could self moderate, then it would be nice. Keeping the topic on leos. If we could switch over to IRC chat instead of Java we could assign operators, to keep out the adult chat, etc. Just an idea..

matthew

Yeah I remember that whole mess last Sunday, I was quite active in the chat until it began straying off course...... I do believe though it can be handled without moderation. If you feel uncomfortable with the topic simply say something, I noticed that no one said anything. They simply left or remained quiet. Next time try saying something, you can rest assured the majority of those visiting the leo chat are there for just that, to chat about leos. Not a porn stars appendages......... lol

Good point though, I voted the same as Jeremy. Its fine the way it is, it just needs to remain on topic. Atleast for designated chat nights........

Originally Posted by TopShelfExotics

If you feel uncomfortable with the topic simply say something, I noticed that no one said anything.

I did say something, a couple times. Didn't have much effect. Correction: didn't have any effect.

Keep the input and votes coming! I voted for staying on topic more myself, and am usually a pretty good about saying something when the conversation digresses. I did say "let's keep the conversation PG rated", or something to that effect... but left shortly after and wasn't aware of how the conversations continued.

I think if we could self moderate, then it would be nice.

I think the moderating should be left up to the people using the chat.... If it gets out of hand WE should police ourselves.....

I completely agree with this, and don't see why it couldn't work this way as long as we are all on the same page! I would also like it if we could have guest speakers from time-to-time... wouldn't it be cool if we got RT on here? LOL!!!

One of the last things I want to see happen would be for Webslave to pull the chats off, or have the chat gestapo hovering over our shoulders. But, I do think we could be a little more aware of when the conversation drifts too far over the line of general acceptability.

I agree that we should try to stay more on topic. It's cool that many of us are friendly and open with each other, and get along well, but some of the topics discussed are rather pointless, and although I don't get offended by any of it, I can see how it could be offensive to others.

I also think moderation is probably not needed at this point. As long as we can moderate ourselves, so to speak.

I do think that it would be cool to have some more guest chats like we used to. I would be happy to volunteer to be a guest sometime.