[DocJohn]

Hi folks,

In order to create a safer chat room environment and after much internal discussion, we've decided to create a new category of membership -- chat host.

A chat host is a member who has the added feature of being able to create their own chatroom in our chat system. Yes, that means most members will lose the privilege of creating their own chat room. We will be shutting down member-created chat rooms Wednesday morning, and they will remain closed for a few days while we implement this new feature.

Any member can be a chat host, but they have to abide and agree with the Chat Host Guidelines:

http://forums.psychcentral.com/commu...uidelines.html

To apply, PM any administrator with your request. As long as you meet the criteria, your application will be approved.

Being a chat host now means you have responsibilities as well as control of your own chat room. That means you will be responsible for helping uphold the community guidelines while in chat, and in generally keeping the peace in your chat room.

We hope this results in a more supportive and safe chat room environment for our members.

Best,
DocJohn

[DocJohn]

PS - You won't hear back from us regarding your application as Chat Host unless there's a problem in adding you as such. Once the new system is online (by Friday), you'll see you'll have access to create a chat room (just as you do today), as well as access to the new Chat Hosts forum.

[Healing the Damage]

Are Chat Leaders also going to be Chat Hosts? Or do we need to message an admin about being a chat host?

[Gus1234U]

does this policy affect the Pass-Worded rooms also?

i am participating in an ongoing chat which screens its participants in advance, and it will have to close if no one can commit to being there every week.

it is the only chat room i consider suitable for my needs; and the pass-word chat has prevented any problems with unwanted behaviors.

Thanks~

[DocJohn]

We will make all existing chat leaders chat hosts by default; no need to apply separately.

Yes, it affects the password-protected rooms as well.

[Healing the Damage]

Will there be a list anywhere of members who are approved chat hosts? It would make it much easier to know who is and isn't allowed to be made into a room mod in chat.

[pegasus]

Originally Posted by Gus1234U

does this policy affect the Pass-Worded rooms also?

i am participating in an ongoing chat which screens its participants in advance, and it will have to close if no one can commit to being there every week.

it is the only chat room i consider suitable for my needs; and the pass-word chat has prevented any problems with unwanted behaviors.

Thanks~

Gus, you just need to apply to be a chat host (which is different to a chat leader) by sending a PM to one of the admin team and then all's good, you'll be able to open a password protected room as before.

[tradika]

LIC, the auth servers will probably already have a database with who is available for host while in room if the feature is not turned off to promote. They will also have a special forum from what DocJohn already posted. Should be very clear cut.

[DocJohn]

It will be incumbent of Chat Hosts to ensure they do not promote another member to Chat Host unless they know that person is also one. If a Chat Host promotes a non-approved member, they may lose their privileges. Yes, there will be a way to confirm whether a member is a Chat Host or not outside of the chat system.

[googley]

What would it mean if the person who opened the chat wanted to leave and there are still people in the room that they opened? Are they responsible for getting everyone to leave when they want to leave?

Wendy will become this Chat Host, Correct?

I enjoy this Chat Room as This Moderation at this

[Crazy Hitch]

Originally Posted by BlindedByTheDark

Wendy will become this Chat Host, Correct?

I enjoy this Chat Room as This Moderation at this

Anna as Best Friend I shall ask nicely to please make a room and you can come and chat to me in the room as my Best Friend Number 1 Anna on Friday

[Caring_Soul]

That's a good question googley I was wondering that myself.
However, I have a good feeling the list of chat Host will answer that question for us

[-jimi-]

Originally Posted by DocJohn

Yes, that means most members will lose the privilege of creating their own chat room.

THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!

[Steiner of Thule]

I like this change. Thanks!

This is good.

We've lost a lot of good people from chat due to disrespect & abuse.

Hopefully, this will bring them back.

[Healing the Damage]

Originally Posted by Pfrog

This is good.

We've lost a lot of good people from chat due to disrespect & abuse.

Hopefully, this will bring them back.

I agree completely!

[DocJohn]

I apologize, but we were not able to make all Chat Leaders automatically a chat host, as some of them would not meet the guidelines for chat host.

So not all Chat Leaders are chat hosts, I'm sorry to say. Please check this link to see who the pre-approved Chat Hosts are now:

Forums at Psych Central - Show Groups

Only Chat Hosts can host their own room and they can only approve other Chat Hosts as moderators in their rooms. (All community support team members -- moderators, super mods and administrators -- are also Chat Hosts.)

Thanks,
DocJohn

[Healing the Damage]

Originally Posted by DocJohn

I apologize, but we were not able to make all Chat Leaders automatically a chat host, as some of them would not meet the guidelines for chat host.

So not all Chat Leaders are chat hosts, I'm sorry to say. Please check this link to see who the pre-approved Chat Hosts are now:

Forums at Psych Central - Show Groups

Only Chat Hosts can host their own room and they can only approve other Chat Hosts as moderators in their rooms. (All community support team members -- moderators, super mods and administrators -- are also Chat Hosts.)

Thanks,
DocJohn

If a Chat Leader was not approved to be a Chat Host, then are they still able to be a Chat Leader and run weekly chats? Are they allowed to mod in that room to host the weekly chat? Or will those people no longer be Chat Leaders? I'm confused as to how that will work, if they weren't given the privileges to run and host a chat...

[DocJohn]

Two completely separate roles which have nothing to do with one another.

Chat leaders are still chat leaders and can host their chat in the auditorium if they are not also a chat host.

Only chat hosts can be promoted to be a mod in a room. Period. If the person isn't on the chat host list, they cannot be a mod in a chat room.

DocJohn