[size=4]What is it? How does it work? Why have it?[/size]
To explain this I've put together the following. I think it makes sense and I hope you do too.
[size=4]Scenario[/size]
A large number of people all enter the same room, because the room is especially for people with the same interest or hobby. Hardly any of them know each other so its basically a room full of strangers.
There is a lot of helpful information up on all the walls of the room and the people look around a lot of it gathering knowledge as they go. Some people stay doing that but many others congregate to the space in the middle of the room and stand around looking at each other, only knowing who each other is by the name tags they display.
Now if it stays like that it’s a bit like being at an awkward wedding!
![:o](http://www.clubmotorhome.co.uk/media/com_easydiscuss/images/markitup/emoticon-surprised.png)
hmy: But human nature being what it is people like to communicate and different people will deal with this in different ways and they do all, at least, have something in common. There is usually some sort of greeting or handshake when people first meet.
Because people are different you would see this work in different ways. Some would circulate around the room meeting everyone they could, whilst others might just overhear something that’s said and then introduce themselves to the person who said it so that they can talk to them about it themselves. There will be those who only want to speak if someone else makes the first move and there will also be some who don’t really want to meet others they just came for the information they could gather.
Whilst this is happening new people are entering the room wondering what its all about and keen to learn from those already there. Inevitably a few who have been there a while leave because its not for them of they have decided to give up their hobby.
With the people already being in the room and enthusiastic about their interest, it would be natural for some of them to say hello to the new people and start talking to them too.
[size=4]So, in the real world….[/size]
Hopefully you can see by that scenario, there are similarities to the ‘virtual’ club that is Club Motorhome. The website provides that ‘room’ and you, the members, are the 'people’. Now because there isn’t a physical presence of people its easy to remain quiet and isolated behind a keyboard. You may even identify with a type of person in the scenario. Whatever type is absolutely fine, what’s important is that all are members and most are interested in what’s going on, but its not as easy to meet and get chatting….. or is it?
[size=4]It’s actually very easy - a handshake greeting with another member is just a ‘click’ away.[/size]
Every member has a ‘profile’ and these can be looked at by other members. These profiles provide some (some more than others) relevant information about the member themselves. You get to the profiles by clicking any members name that is highlighted on various parts of the website or you can look through a list of them in our membership list. Each profile has a button to ‘Request Connection’ by clicking that you are saying hello and offering a handshake just as you would to someone in the ‘room’.
[size=4]Key to the 'scenario'[/size]
room = club
interest or hobby = motorhoming
people = members
information on the walls = stopovers, classifieds, articles, reviews etc etc
people’s name tags = usernames
greeting or handshake =
‘Connection'
[size=4]What’s the difference between ‘Chat’ and the ‘Forums’ ?[/size]
Simply ‘Chat’ is just that, more one to one but others who are connected can join in whereas a ‘Forum’, to use the ‘room’ scenario is like someone standing up in front of everyone and saying what they want and then others standing up in the room and giving their individual answer or comment - while everyone else looks on.
Each type of communication has its own uses and both help to bring members together.
Now, in answer to the original questions....
[size=4]What is it?[/size]
The 'Chat' facility is a way for fellow members to make friends and communicate with others easily.
[size=4]How does it work?[/size]
Members simply 'connect' with each other - they use the feature to say 'Hi!' and offer a virtual handshake. Being connected allows them to communicate via the 'Chat' facility.
[size=4]Why have it?[/size]
The 'scenario' explains this :dry:
As more features are developed and added to this facility I will put together a more detailed guide as to how to use it and by then more members will be using it anyway.
In the meantime please just carry on and get connected with your fellow members B)