Since we are discussing the influence of chat rooms, I feel I can contribute some historical commentary. BTW, thanks Smouch for spreading the MB sentiment indicator around.
Chat rooms, Message Boards, Bulletin Board Systems (BBS) and such have been around for a long, long time. Compuserve started in 1978 and most colleges and universities were *connected* to each other by then as well. Of course the primary use was sending message back and forth. At first, with little structure, but as topics were developed into threads and then converted into newsgroups it became simpler to find others interested in *chatting* about your particular topic. Most of these newsgroups still exists today and can be accessed with several different software or Web based programs. As an example of just how powerful yet private this can be, more copyrighted material (especially music) is transferred via these newsgroups than Napster ever thought about transferring. At last count there are more than 39,000 of these groups each devoted to a specific topic. One of the best feature of MB's is that you don't have to post to benefit. Many systems report 10 times as many readers as posters.
Here at IHub, it seems that a return to the old style (and very effective) *moderated* MB is being developed. In my over twenty years of "treading the boards" *moderators* seem to be the only effective way of handling the malcontents and abusive posts. It does have it's drawback in that some *moderators* can develop massive ego's. That usually tends to destroy the group though so they end up ruling a kingdom of one.
I like to think of MB's as Flea Markets of Ideas. I can usually find a laugh, cry, or something new that I never knew before. There is no better means of distributing detailed information. Used correctly it is a powerful advertising tool, used incorrectly it can destroy the very business you wish to promote.
As always if you remember the things your mama taught you about dealing with others you'll do fine when posting on message boards. But for those that forget...
there is the Bird of Prey, the moderators moderator. The moniker given me after proving time and time again the best weapon in a flame war is a dragon... the ultimate Bird of Prey!
Peace to all and a successful 2001
Dave