Ok I'm just throwing this out there to see what others have to say about it. What do you think about having a live chat added to OcPaddler? I'm not trying to add more work for Keizo and I have no idea what it takes to add live chat to a website. But wouldn't it be cool to talk story with other paddlers from around the world or in your own area and get instant feedback? It's like having a "real" conversation with someone without having to wait for a response in the regular forum, which by the way there's nothing wrong with. I'm not trying to fix something that's not broken, but only talking about adding features to it. The forum is good for people who just want to check in once in a while when they have time and still keep up to date with whats going on but some of us who have too much free time on our hands could hang around and talk story. Imagine talking to someone who just completed the Moloka'i Hoe or the Na Wahine O Ke Kai? Most everybody here has one thing in common, paddling. It's a pretty tight knit community and most share the ohana and kokua spirit that is passed down from our kupuna so we have some pretty cool people. On a side note, it could also benefit OcPaddler and us the users. People would hang around the site longer and that would make the advertisers happy because it gives them more exposure, which in turn means Keizo could charge more for ad space which in turn would mean more fun stuff for us and so on and so forth. Like I said, I'm just throwing this out there to see what others think and if this subjects already been brought up before I apologize for bringing it up again but I was too lazy to dig through the archives to see if it was. Malama pono.
Lopaka
Submitted by hawaiian_paddler on Fri, 01/20/2006 - 3:54pm
Hey Lopaka,
I've actually been meaning to put out a survey type thing looking for input on new features for the website, but maybe instead I can kind of hijack this thread for that purpose. :)
As for my thoughts on a real time chat, to be honest, it's not on my list of things to add. I think some might get a kick out of it for a while, but in the long term I think it would be less useful. It might keep people around like you mention, but I think for the wrong reasons. I imagine conversations like
southsider "ho braddah, I did the sickest run today"
bigcanoe "oh yeah"
southsider "yeah it was epic"
bigcanoe "where was?"
southsider "kauai"
mauigirl "any one from maui in here?"
hotpaddler "woohoo, maui no ka oi"
hotpaddler "are you hot too?"
hotpaddler "age?"
bigcanoe "I'm hot and my canoe is big enough for four!"
:-D lol, k not to get carried away, or even suggest that the community here would ever begin to use it like that. But I do think aol, msn, yahoo are pretty good at the instant messaging services and small talk is best done over those rather then use the limited resources here. However, I do have some ideas and plans for more 'social networking' type features that might have the kind of functionality that you were looking for in a chat.
That being said, I'm very curious to hear about any feature ideas anyone else has.
Keizo
ps. I reread this, and maybe I sound a little like some others on this forum.. cough. goto. :-) haha, anyway, I was just trying to get my opinion across and am in no way trying to put your idea down. I really welcome more comments, suggestions, or tips like this regarding this website. It always helps. Thanks.
#1 Sat, 01/21/2006 - 11:49am
Nah Keizo no offense taken. I can see what you're talking about with a chat and idle talk about everything except paddling. Good intentions can always go awry. Like I said, just throwing things around to see what others say and your point was well taken. I know Yahoo and AOL and others do a good job at chat but was just mentioning the chat thing here since we all have the same things in common. Yeah and I noticed the Outrigger Group on Yahoo has a chat room but I've never seen anyone in there so you might have a good point Keizo. Maybe paddlers aren't chatters after all.
#2 Sat, 01/21/2006 - 1:22pm
If you're hot, legal, and like big canoes, give me a call.
PUNJINCHAO!!
#3 Sat, 01/21/2006 - 3:31pm
No offense either ..... maybe hard to set up the timing but it would be cool if everyone who ever checks out this site agreed to come 'round ( @ the same time ) for one good day ( when is the superbowl ?) of brainstorming for Keizo's sake and storys ..... "My best day was ........"
I am usually hanging at another major paddling forum just to sort of stay in touch with the opinions of folks who are my customers and potential customers and slide on over to OCPaddler to see what else is going on in the Fast-boats-on-the-ocean-world that I like too. I think Keizo is doing a great job here and I love how it is always up to date w/ photos too. The main reason I like the other site is all the characters who are regulars and post often with info, questions and varied opinions from all 'round the country and world. Seems the median age for this group is about 50 something and most of these guys have a good sense of humor and are not threatend by others opinions. Refreshing to have some good conversation about stuff we love.
I come over here in hopes of seeing something new ( to post / talk about) but the flow of responses is just not there IMO and I really wish it were as I figure all you guys have alot to say too...... gonna shut up now and put my money where my mouth is..... Keizo, sending over a loong artical, if you want to post it up you are welcome.
Sea ya,
onnopaddle
#4 Sat, 01/21/2006 - 10:58pm