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A Hybrid Between Chat and Message Boards?

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the not-so-instant-messaging dept.

qirtaiba asks: "Synchronous discussion software (in simple terms, chat) allows discussions to take place instantly and interactively, but asynchronous software (discussion boards, a la Slashdot) have the advantage that they allow people from different timezones to participate equally. Does anyone know of a hybrid? The closest thing I have found is a proprietary 'Commons Console' offered as a service by Conflict Lab. This is not just an idle question. The Internet Governance Forum (or IGF — you can find more information here) is meeting for the first time in Athens from October 30th to the 2nd of November, this year. A lot of people who might like to participate aren't going to be able to make it to Athens, so the IGF has asked for ideas on how best to enable remote participation. Can Slashdot help?"

4 of 52 comments (clear)

  1. Take a squiz at Campfire by NeuralAbyss · · Score: 4, Interesting

    I've been using Campfire as part of a group project. Initially I was against the idea.. but it's become useful, in that there's also logs of prior entries. About as close to a cross of chat and message board that's practical..

  2. Slashdot's new comment system by BadAnalogyGuy · · Score: 2, Interesting

    One thing that I think is really cool in Slashdot's proposed new commenting system is the micro-update commenting where the page periodically and frequently pings the server to pull down a small amount of update data. This eliminates the need to do a full page refresh just to get new comments. It cuts down on Slashdot's server strain as well as clientside button-pressing.

    When that becomes a reality I expect commenting to take off here like it hasn't before.

  3. Re:It's not the instantaneousness by Jaruzel · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Parlano's Mindalign has sticky 'backchat' where recently joined users can scroll back and read the history of the conversation.

    Mindalign is one of the major IM/collaboration players in the Investment Banking market, and is installed on the desktops of a lot of global banks.

    (No, I don't work for Parlano)

    -Jar.

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  4. Re:Simple is best by MikeFM · · Score: 2, Interesting

    I like email mailing lists best. It moves along fast but it works just fine for people to jump in anywhere in the conversation even after several days.

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