I was wondering if someone set up a linuxquestions.org chat channel for people to ... chat. Having so many members on the boards it must be a nice place to meet people.

Nope, never going to happen and explained many many times. Try searching to find our reasons why.

Hey trickykid, I searched the boards before asking the question (ofcourse) but had tons of results asking about irc in general. Also googling did not help.

I think the main reason would be that people would use it to have a problem answered, and thats why we have the boards here, instead of using it to 'socialize'.

That's one of the reasons we don't want or will officially make one. When people post here, its recorded, backed up and anyone can search for answers to questions already asked.

On IRC, they are not recorded, we don't want to have responsibility of having an operator always on IRC for trolls, etc as the forums keep us busy enough.

And not sure what you searched for but I found these:

http://www.linuxquestions.org/questi...&highlight=IRC

http://www.linuxquestions.org/questi...&highlight=IRC

http://www.linuxquestions.org/questi...&highlight=IRC

And those are just from within the last year, usually asked probably 2 times a year.. etc.

Drew is correct, but I'd like to add (as many other people have commented) that many times you will receive an answer to a question on LQ almost instantly, which is why many people think they need an IRC channel.

--jeremy

I see why it would be a bad idea. I would hate it if people started asking questions there instead of on the board. An irc channel is often a fun place to meet the people irc (in real communication ), but a help chat would ruin that.

well what about an irc just to socialize with LQ members? I'm sure if questions were asked, mods could redirect them.

I wish it were that easy. Just like I mentioned before, having an operator on IRC 24/7 to redirect would be near impossible at times. The mods and Jeremy have full time jobs, a life, etc, watching over an IRC channel for such activities is just really out of the question. Plus there are plenty of other channels available, even to get technical questions asked. Its just not a responsibility any moderator or Jeremy want to endure at this time, etc. No one is stopping anyone from LQ to go and participate in any of the existing IRC channels already available.

no I wasn't suggesting that they could, I totally understand that. I just figured an irc would increase the sense of community, but just a thought.

That's what the mindless, dumb and pointless forum called General is for..