Subject: chat alternative?

Date: Fri Sep 16 14:39:46 2011
User: Denny
Message:
The chat server has mysteriously become unstable, threatening to take the entire site down. Rather than spend time working on a site feature which is pretty underused these days I'd instead recommend the handful of folks who use chat start looking for an alternative. There are tons of free chat rooms you can set up and there's probably some way to use Facebook. Please work to find something that's OK for you and I apologize for the disturbance in the force. As I frequently say I'm just one guy and I need to allocate my time appropriately. Denny

Date: Fri Sep 16 15:12:27 2011
User: damgud
Message:
sounds like the executioner is sharpening his blade.

Date: Fri Sep 16 16:24:52 2011
User: sharoco
Message:
You are doing a superb job - without the chat server. I really enjoy this site.

Date: Fri Sep 16 17:02:55 2011
User: Feenix
Message:
Don't really use the chat, so won't miss it. Do what you need to do with our thanks.

Date: Fri Sep 16 20:36:47 2011
User: sillama
Message:
I appreciate chat very much. The game isn't the same without it. I like being able to visit. Freecell chat is possibly the only chat room that isn't blocked by company firewalls.

Date: Sat Sep 17 04:35:56 2011
User: damgud
Message:
not to mention over crowded by either sex offenders or foul-mouthed morons. life would simply NOT be the same without fc chat...and i totally agree with sil...chatting AT freecell & freecell go hand in hand. if i can't have both, well, then, there probably ARE 'alternatives'. "There are tons of free chat rooms you can set up and there's probably some way to use Facebook". the same can be said for freecell, denny, but I'm sure i speak for most of us when i say we'd prefer not to look for those, either.

Date: Sat Sep 17 07:02:50 2011
User: dede
Message:
Is chat on again or what I went on and its on ... I am confused Denny you know you should not confuse a blonde....

Date: Sat Sep 17 09:59:13 2011
User: TNmountainman
Message:
Denny, I know it's a huge hassle and I understand your predicament, but add my vote to those who would dearly miss it, and hope you can find a way to keep it. I don't 'do' other chat places, and don't imagine myself going to do that elsewhere.

Date: Sat Sep 17 10:04:47 2011
User: caharris
Message:
I for one would miss chat as facebook is already crowed with so many users it would be difficult to discern our chat friends. How else would I have met Olblue, Mrbuck, Sillama, Dede, Julia, Damgud, Hannibel_Lechter, Ann13,Dadof3 without chat, to just name a few. Is there anything we can to to continue to have our chat? You do such a wonderful job Denny and we would understand however, would be very sad to lose it.

Date: Sat Sep 17 10:12:34 2011
User: joeygray
Message:
*snif* Admittedly I don't come in there much anymore. Still, when I do I always get the warm comraderly feeling I've never gotten from any other chat facility and believe me, I've tried lots of them over the years. I do love your site anyway even if you are going to pull this feature... but I really really hate to see it go... *snif*

Date: Sat Sep 17 11:34:57 2011
User: calicokid
Message:
My .02 If chat is threatening freecell, then chat's gotta go!

Date: Sat Sep 17 11:43:25 2011
User: xeena
Message:
maybe denny could fix it and make it a premium feature, and that would pay for it. if you want it, fork out the bucks. me, I don't care one way or the other. here is another idea. make your own minute board. they all have chatrooms. denny made them so they are like the one in here with the same smilies and stuff. minuteboard.com. created by our own denny.

Date: Sat Sep 17 11:58:33 2011
User: mrbuck
Message:
minute board chat feature seems to be disabled. the chatroom opens but that's it. mrbuck

Date: Sat Sep 17 12:03:57 2011
User: sillama
Message:
we've got a chat room going at the Chatzy site. Come on over and join in.

Link: Chatzy

Date: Sat Sep 17 12:43:41 2011
User: Twixthill
Message:
Freecell is my mind cleanser and chat isn't even on my radar. You do a great job with Freecell; is it possible for you to set up an outside chat site with a password you could share with Freecell People so that only they could access it? I agree that "public" chat rooms are full of perverts and pranksters that are more than annoying!

Date: Sat Sep 17 23:10:04 2011
User: mickyiw
Message:
I know I'm rarely there...work is a killer. But it's the only chat room for me. It'll be a shame to lose the place. Met some great people there.

Date: Sat Sep 17 23:27:13 2011
User: EZ-Ed3-LAnseMI
Message:
.hug mickyiw Say hello to merc for me, micky. Been a long time.

Date: Sat Sep 17 23:31:30 2011
User: olblue
Message:
it's amazing how the people who don't frequent chat are the most vocal about killing it. I bet if it was a part of this site that you liked that was being threatened, you wouldn't be quite so vocal.

Date: Sat Sep 17 23:40:29 2011
User: mickyiw
Message:
Would going back to the old chat program help?

Date: Sun Sep 18 00:00:53 2011
User: oink
Message:
Denny, Just want to thank you for the fantastic job you do on this site, and the excellent way you approach problems. As far as I'm concerned, you can do whatever you like. It's your site, it's never cost me a cent, and given me a lot of enjoyment. (even more if I could ever win a touranment!)

Date: Sun Sep 18 09:54:49 2011
User: Oink
Message:
Oink?

Date: Sun Sep 18 14:11:16 2011
User: Catailong2
Message:
IMHO, if my appendix was about to burst and the doctor said my only options were to have it removed or risk dying of sepsis, I'd be handing the doctor the scalpel. Freecell first, social networking second. Chat was an okay feature to have, but as you pointed out, its lackluster usage means there are only a few visitors who will truly miss it. Perhaps to be completely fair, you could offer a prorated refund to any premium subscribers who claim that chat was the primary driver for them joining. I doubt you'd have anybody contact you. Now if the site were to go down or if gameplay significantly slowed because of the chat server's erratic behavior, I'd surmise that the business impact would be a bit worse.

Date: Mon Sep 19 07:34:44 2011
User: oink
Message:
2 oinks who'd a thunk it. Hard to be original nowadays. Now tell me your surname's Bacon!

Date: Mon Sep 19 17:37:52 2011
User: machbannai!
Message:
I will really miss the .cognac. I always enjoyed my snifter of Remy Martin and fine belgian chocolates.

Link: Need LED?

Date: Mon Sep 19 20:13:42 2011
User: julia
Message:
olblue, you're right. If you don't have a dog in the fight, what's with all the vocalization, except to give the enemy bullets? Now Sahib, this is not the first time you've threatened to pull chat. Best I can tell, all the other times was your sneaky underhanded way to gin up support, and insure there was someone out there. With all due respect, (after all it's your site, we are mere peasants in Denny world, but this site does add a little star in your crown, admit it, you've bragged about this place and all your minions)you've also played the "I'm getting rid of all the mods" card on several occasions. I haven't noticed any problems with chat, but being a minion I might not see the great server disturbance with electrons flying errant about the atmosphere. Will the world come to an end if chat goes away? No. But it would be a shame to rid the world of a site that is responsible for so many friendships, and so many wonderful netcell parties. Heck this place, ergo you, are responsible for a few marriages. Dude, you got to take pride in that. Some of us have even had the pleasure of meeting his greatness. (I still think that steak you cooked at Libby's was one of the best I've ever had.) Lot of memories tied up in this place. Where in the world will the cereal killers go now?

Date: Mon Sep 19 20:57:03 2011
User: Oink
Message:
Nope, oink. Surname is Oink, sired by AlGoreInventedPigs out of PigsInventedAlGore. Mostly I just say Oink. Oink

Date: Tue Sep 20 11:02:54 2011
User: pagollum
Message:
Chat will be missed. I would like to know what it would take to save it?

Date: Tue Sep 20 11:05:22 2011
User: hotnurse
Message:
Although I haven't had time to go to chat for quite a while I would hate to see it go. I can think of about a dozen people whom I would never have met and all the CellStocks I would not have attended, countless memories, friendships and laughs I would not have had. Plus all the cyber-sex I could have hoped for, lol. Seriously, I would hate to see it die.

Date: Wed Sep 21 08:55:31 2011
User: exceller
Message:
You're right: without using even an ounce of imagination, there are a zillion places to chat on the Web. People come here to play Freecell. You've done an amazing job maintaining this excellent site over the years. If the chat is more trouble to you than it's possibly worth, you should feel comfortable dropping it with every user's support and appreciation.

Date: Wed Sep 21 19:25:31 2011
User: hyperone999
Message:
if anyone is interested, i've registered an IRC channel - #freecell on freenode.net and if any regular is interested in being a channel op just drop in on the channel and i will try and respond ASAP. beware tho, i may not respond in a timely fashion as i am working on several projects (and playing freecell of course). use #freecell for the channel and whatever for your nick.

Link: Freenode Webchat

Date: Wed Sep 21 20:05:59 2011
User: julia
Message:
exceller, with all due respect, have you even been on freecell chat? Re: blue's earlier post. There used to be a LOT of people that came to freecell just for the chat. Schoolie is a prime example. She played like one game a year just to say she did. Granted they might not come in anymore, but your statement that people only come here to play freecell is not totally correct.

Date: Wed Sep 21 21:10:23 2011
User: Katzby
Message:
I have met some truly wonderful friends through chat and finally got to meet some of them in real life just this year. I will miss chat a LOT if it goes. Just my two cents' worth. . . .

Date: Thu Sep 22 09:18:07 2011
User: exceller
Message:
Julia, Thanks for the respect, and, yes, I have been on freecell chat. It's workable, but not nearly as sophisticated as many chat sites. Why would anyone come to this Freecell site just for chat? That's not it's primary purpose. Besides, the only reason any of us can come to this website at all is by virtue of its very generous, competent, and patient creator and maintainer (amazingly, he also seems to have a good sense of humor). If he's finding the chat function to be too much trouble, who are we to tell him he should just work harder...for free....for us? The Web is full of game sites and chat sites, free and for pay. Believe me, whatever it is you think you could only get here, you can get somewhere else. As I said in my first post, it just takes a little imagination (and maybe parting with some money). With all due respect.

Date: Thu Sep 22 18:17:45 2011
User: mickyiw
Message:
exceller, you asked why anyone would just come here for the chat room, as it's not as sophisticated as many others. Netcell chat, for many people, is a room that stands alone in the world of chat rooms. It's hard to explain why. Maybe it's just the chatters who have been here for many years who feel this way about our chat. Or those who have met some of the great people from here in real life. I've not visited other chat rooms, but the general consensus from the many chatters over there years has been that netcell chat is unique. And those netcell parties! Paying for chat here is not the issue, if it were just money I'm sure there'd be plenty of people who would happily contribute. The issue is the time needed to maintain things. Trust me, we all appreciate Denny's hard work! ( even if we moan about things sometimes). And he does have a great sense of humour. Some of us have got to experience his humour and cutenicicity (Ok, I made that word up and it really upset the spell checker on this thing) in real life, thanks to netcell chat. Ultimately, Denny will do what he needs to do. Whether it's fix chat or close it down. And we understand that fully. We just hope if he's wavering between the two, then maybe our appeals will help him make the right choice. .wink Denny.

Date: Thu Sep 22 18:31:46 2011
User: exceller
Message:
Wow, mickyiw, nice solution to the problem! All Denny (or one of the chat fans) has to do is find some for-profit service to manage the chat function at the site that will also contract directly with users willing to pay it a fee for chat. I'd probably rather play freecell here for free, and chat somewhere else for free. But, based on your assurance that those who can't dream of chatting anywhere but here will pay for the ability to do so, your fix let's everyone have their cake, and eat it, too!

Date: Thu Sep 22 18:50:06 2011
User: mickyiw
Message:
exceller, nice sarcasm... I wasn't trying to be inflammatory. But take it as you will. Nobody's asking to have their cake and eat it. I happily make my small donation, as do a lot of players, to use the premium feature here for no ads at the moment. And there has been research made (not by me) into setting up a chat room independently, but linked to the site.

Date: Thu Sep 22 20:17:34 2011
User: julia
Message:
aw geez. After exceller's response to me, tossing rose petals on the red carpet when denny comes in is no longer going to be good enough. We're gonna have to get dede and micky following him around with those big tree frond fans, and hotnurse feeding him grapes. Somebody best be fabbing an ornate staff too. I'm not doing the foot massages. Forget it. But maybe Ann can work on a nice Roman outfit for him.

Date: Thu Sep 22 20:40:28 2011
User: hotnurse
Message:
julia, thanks for the thought, but I have never been one of Denny's favorites, have no idea why either, so let's sub xeena for me and let her feed him peeled grapes. She seems to be the one who cries the loudest and gets the most grease. I know, meoooooooooowwwwwwwww. But really........ In life, like here, I don't kiss ass and I don't play games (other than freecell). About chat; the only reason I haven't been in eons is out of concern for my hubby and my life's priorities have changed. I would gladly give whatever amount to keep chat open as it is just to have it there for all the other great friends I have had the pleasure to meet i.r.l. Some of my best laughs were during the wee hours in chat with all of the oldies. I'm sure some of the newbies are just as much fun. Btw, nice seeing your name again Jules!

Date: Thu Sep 22 21:10:24 2011
User: caharris
Message:
I thought I posted a note a few minutes ago, but apparently it did not go thru. Kathy: Sure hope all is okay with your husband and my prayers are with you. I too would miss the fun I have enjoyed in chat. I have met amazing people, had many laughs and just plain enjoyed it. Looks like chat is not working tonight or is it gone?

Date: Thu Sep 22 21:41:41 2011
User: hotnurse
Message:
Thanks CH. You also, were a jewel i.r.l. Hubby is doing o.k. for now. A few yrs ago I had to chose between chatting and lol-ing late into the night or spending precious time with him. I always thought that chat would be there long after him, lol. It has always amazed me what fantastic people I have met through an internet game site. Even the cereal killer was a delight. Not a single disappointment yet and several life-time friendships to boot. Let's all just look forward to the next CellStock, hopefully coming soon.

Date: Thu Sep 22 21:54:05 2011
User: caharris
Message:
Have to you spoken to Buck? Looks like a meeting sometime in May

Date: Thu Sep 22 22:20:23 2011
User: snowguy
Message:
You were a jewel to meet, Kathy. Same with dede and the rest. My wife also enjoyed meeting and dining with the two of you.I'm sure she would have;liked the others as well.

Date: Fri Sep 23 13:57:02 2011
User: mrbuck
Message:
While Freecell Chat is down, or if it goes down again, most of the regular chatters have been meeting at the Emergency Freecell Chat. No FEMA funds were used to set up the chat site. mrbuck

Link: Freecell Emergency Chat

Date: Fri Sep 23 14:07:56 2011
User: PatsFan
Message:
I see both sides of people's posts here. Chat has been a great place to meet new people. No doubt about it. There have been many people who have come here just for the chat. And there are people who couldn't care less about it and would rather game. both are valid, and both have a right to say they will miss or they won't miss it. I think everybody should be able to weigh in. and yes, undeniable that Denny will be the ultimate decision-maker. If it is so much time and effort with ZERO payback to keep it, I wouldn't blame him if he nixed it (which looks like he did). On the other hand, I *know* many many devouted chatters will miss it and the place will not be the same. Best of luck with the Emergency Chat. [btw, wasn't a big fan of the thought of FB chat for FC! I don't know how that is done anyway, but right now, I'm not diggin' the FB changes!] hmmm... as an afterthought: Denny said it wasn't a money-maker for him... what if there was a subscription? Then it'd be a money-maker...

Date: Fri Sep 23 18:27:41 2011
User: dede
Message:
Actually I am with that idea I would gladly pay a subscription...

Date: Fri Sep 23 18:42:34 2011
User: mickyiw
Message:
Hey Denny, would it be a big job to change chat back to java, like in MC/jezzball? And would everyone be able to use the java version?

Date: Fri Sep 23 21:02:23 2011
User: caharris
Message:
Denny: Thank you for trying to restore chat; please try again - at your convenience. We all appreciate your efforts so much.

Date: Sat Sep 24 00:59:56 2011
User: Denny
Message:
Chat is four main pieces, the HTML client, the Java client, the chat server program, and the database the tracks users, etc. I can't really peel anything loose. The chat server is the thing that's been acting strangely and that's a component of it all. There's no such thing as a Java/MC chat unfortunately. The MC server has been holding together for some reason. Maybe go over there? See link below. Denny

Link: Mad Chatter

Date: Sat Sep 24 01:25:47 2011
User: mickyiw
Message:
This was the java chat I was talking about.

Link: jezzball chat

Date: Sat Sep 24 04:58:20 2011
User: dede
Message:
Thanks Mickey works great... hope dadof3 can get it for work...