Live Chat

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   Marie Flintposted 9 years ago

   I think it would be nice for Hub Pages to have a Live Chat feature on our site for hub writers to get direct assistance when they are really frustrated, confused, or stuck. At least one other writing site that I  know of has it, and it's really nice. It's amazing what a little timely morale support can do!
   
   Merry Christmas and happy New Year to all!

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      sallybeaposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      That sounds like an interesting idea.  I know I have a couple of friends on Facebook from HP but I have never had the courage yet to chat to them, or even type to them on that forum.  I might do it though here if the subject matter were related to writing, such as this.  Perhaps a suggestion for new features!
      Best wishes to you to Marie.

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      The Examiner-1posted 9 years agoin reply to this

      That does sound good Marie but what is to stop certain users from calling the 'Live Chat help' for the wrong reasons. This may be a little far out as an example, but such as people who call 911 about barking dogs being pests. They are tying up the phone lines for those who actually need it for important issues.

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      peachpurpleposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      yes, i would like to have a live chat forum too, chat anything under the sun

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      relacheposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      People complain we don't even have decent moderation coverage.  How is this Live Chat going to be staffed when the company seems to have capped itself at 15 employees who take days to respond to huge problems already?

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         The Examiner-1posted 9 years agoin reply to this

         The computer could do it with filters.

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            relacheposted 9 years agoin reply to this

            If computer filters can't moderate these static forums, they can't moderate situations and abuses in live chat.

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               The Examiner-1posted 9 years agoin reply to this

               Perhaps they could separate the comments/chats to certain staff members to lighten the load on each member.

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                  relacheposted 9 years agoin reply to this

                  There are 15 staff members (only some are the moderators) and over 83,000 site users.

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      Stove And Homeposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      To the original poster, this is not meant as a snarky reply to you, just what I think the idea would result in.
      
      A live chat here might be nice in an ideal world, but I doubt the HP staff really wants to deal with thousands of people inundating them for things they the writers could probably find out by poring over the guidelines already listed on this site.
      
      Like, "How come I am not approved for AdSense," or "Why are my hubs not published?" (meanwhile they can't write an English sentence to save their life).

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   sallybeaposted 9 years ago

   I must say I did wonder if the idea of live chat would be between writers rather than from hub staff members.  The idea perhaps that followers or people you follow you might be able to help each other could work.  They would be visible much like they are on facebook or skype.

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      TIMETRAVELER2posted 9 years agoin reply to this

      I don't see the point.  The staff is too small and overworked to handle a life chat on their end, and we already help one another in the forums as well as through private emails.  I have never felt like I did not get enough advice and help here and do not think a live chat would make any real difference.  The staff has always responded to tech questions I have had, and I feel they will continue to do so.

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      relacheposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      And how do you have this live chat between followers, and then moderate all the arguments, abuses and misuses that come with a live chat system?  Do those of you advocating for live chat actually comprehend what that entails?
      
      Having live chat would be one of the lowest-value-added moves this site could take at this time.  I think resources are better allocated towards features and functions that truly improve traffic and/or earnings across the entire site.

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      ChristinSposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      I don't like that idea at all, unless there's a way to opt out of being visible.  If I'm here writing, or participating on Q&A or something, perhaps I don't want just anyone who follows me knowing when I'm on and being able to message me.  Is that just me? I know I tend towards being a bit antisocial lol - but I think that a lot of people might have pause with that, simply because we don't get to choose who follows us and you never know.  I think it could open the doors to abuse.

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         The Examiner-1posted 9 years agoin reply to this

         They could place 'opt out' in Profile as usual.

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   Millionaire Tipsposted 9 years ago

   I would prefer not to have a chat function between Hubbers. That is, it's fine if other people have that option, but I would disable mine.  I don't want people to know exactly when I am on the site, and I don't want to be interrupted when I am busy reading or writing a hub.
   
   It would be nice to have a chat function with the team, but that would mean they would have to schedule the time to be available when someone happens to have a question.  The work I do here isn't urgent, so I have no problems waiting for a response from an email.

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      The Examiner-1posted 9 years agoin reply to this

      What if they put in an option in the profile to opt in or out?

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      sallybeaposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      I have to say that after some thought I agree with Millionaire Tips, sometimes it can be difficult enough to find time to finish what you are doing online without interruptions.

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   Marie Flintposted 9 years ago

   Thank all of you for responding. The type of chat I had in mind was not the kind that's on Face Book. The actual chat I saw was on Book Country, where peers review each others eBooks; however, writers don't chat with each other when doing this. The live chat was directly connected to a staff member, who only answered if available. My situation was a technical one because I couldn't submit a lengthy review I had just finished. I was fortunate to get a staffer on chat, and that person offered a helpful suggestion that I hadn't tried (I had lost an entire review on a previous occasion). She  alleviated the frustration and fear I was feeling. I really appreciated the support.
   
   There are kinds of writers at Hub Pages. I just thought if someone were available during those times of stress that a writer would feel better supported and more apt to stay.
   
   Personally, I can't imagine someone truly wanting help and getting abusive toward a staffer. If that happened, of course, the staffer would simply end the chat.
   
   Overworked? No matter how much work there is, basically only one thing gets done at a time. Stress management is an art.
   
   So, anyway, it was an idea. I realize that most ideas posed to the Hub Pages team and owner do not become implemented.
   
   Having exhausted my explanation, I wish all of you a very Merry Christmas and a glorious, fruitful New Year!

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      The Examiner-1posted 9 years agoin reply to this

      That is different Marie but are there not live chats on the sites which the eBooks came from? If there are, then why add another one at this end? If this was done then having the staff only answer when available is a great idea. Maybe it is useful in some way. When the staff reads this, they will decide whether they want to use your idea in some way.
      Merry Christmas and Happy New years!

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         Marie Flintposted 9 years agoin reply to this

         Thank you, Examiner, for this comment and well wishes.
         
         I  know I would personally feel a little more connected here with Live Chat, but I may very well find a new way of connecting to Hub Pages in 2015. ~~~

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            The Examiner-1posted 9 years agoin reply to this

            Maybe it will be a New Years present for you, you never know!

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