I know that openstudy chat has always been more relaxed, but I find (based upon my own recent observations) that there isn't much productivity going on the the subject chats. I don't really see the point in so many subject chats if the only subject chat used is math and a few others, and the only subject discussed is how tall someone is or what they got for Christmas. I think we need some sort of off-topic chat or at least a main chat room for more casual conversations.

Question

I know that openstudy chat has always been more relaxed, but I find (based upon my own recent observations) that there isn't much productivity going on the the subject chats. I don't really see the point in so many subject chats if the only subject chat used is math and a few others, and the only subject discussed is how tall someone is or what they got for Christmas. I think we need some sort of off-topic chat or at least a main chat room for more casual  conversations.

inkyvoyd · Answer

I do have to admit that I have been guilty of off-topic discussion in these chats as well, but I think that only reinforces the utility of having a chat dedicated to this, so others who want to study or talk about a subject can do so without being flooded by unrelated discussions.

anonymous · Answer

Just because you have a maths chat doesn't mean you have to discuss maths. Same goes for any other chat. The chats are used to take a break from studying. Who cares what people talk about in the chats?

e.mccormick · Answer

They actually are for off topic chat, which is why I wish they were not named after the topics.  I also wish there were far less of them.

inkyvoyd · Answer

@e.mccormick and @ComeAlongP0nd - I'm curious as to why we favor having off topic chats over on-topic chats. I know it tends to keep some of the OT trash from entering the Q/A part of the site, but I always think it would be nice to have a place to discuss math, or science, or biology, or history, or English, and a place to discuss unrelated items. What do you think?

anonymous · Answer

I guess a chat for unrelated things would be nice, because if someone just wanted to ask a quick question in chat, then they could use the subject chat and no one would ignore them.

blues · Answer

I consider OpenStudy a "social learning" site - with the chat rooms being the a "social" component and the forums being the "learning" part. The chats are for off topic conversations, blowing off steam and relaxing which would otherwise spill over into the threads. But there should be far fewer chat rooms.

e.mccormick · Answer

When people ask questions in the chats, it avoids the smart score system.  So by using chats for questions, you end up limiting the chances of others to improve their SS.  That is part of why they have us keep the chats more off topic and the question areas more on.