idea: PH.com Discord server

[Labrev]

How many of you cats use Discord?

For those who are not familiar, Discord has "channels" in which you can post messages instantaneously (pertaining to whatever the topic of the channel may be, e.g. video game discussion, posting memes, etc).

This format could make for a more seamless alternative to our usual gameday threads, where you have to pull up a new web-page for the text box to make a new post, wait for the subsequent web-page (notifying you that your post has been sent) to clear before being able to view the thread again, and having to pull up the text box 'page again when you want to edit your post (you also get an ugly "edited by" thing beneath your message when you do that). Discord allows you to do all that without going to a different page every time.

Discord also has voice channels where users can audio-chat on a given topic of discussion as a group, which could be another neat gameday feature. (In truth, this could also be a nice feature for some 'Podium topics as well). Both text- and voice-channels are also very easy to use from a smartphone, whereas the forum website is not (our site does not even have 'mobile view).

-----------------------
To be clear, I am not saying we should replace weekly gameday threads with a Discord server channel; I would keep GDTs for the folks who prefer to post there while also offering the server as another option.

I also don't think that the server should become a replacement to the forum more broadly, and I don't think that would inevitably happen, because the current setup for non-gameday threads works perfectly, we all partake in the discussion at our leisure. That's fine for when we are not all online at the same time, not talking about a live, regularly-scheduled event. A gameday channel text- and voice-channel, maybe one of each for 'Podium as well, a Rules section, maybe one or two other channels but keep most stuff here. What say you, folks?



***EDIT*** Please vote here: https://forms.gle/cznEJujK3dwhBDx6A <-- LOOKY LOOKY LOOKY LOOKY LOOKY

[Drj820]

Ive never done anything with discord. I wouldnt mind being in a chat about random stuff, sports stuff, funny stuff, whatever stuff etc with guys from the forum, but I dont think many (especially our more seasoned members) would be wanting to diversify their tech use. We would lose alot of valuable commentary on gamedays. Il be sticking to the forum for Packers stuff including GDT.

[BF004]

I am steadily growing into discord more and more.

I don’t hate the idea. I can look more into it, if anyone wants to be involved or have already done leg work, let me know.

[Labrev]

We could give it a test run if like 5-7 guys are interested.

Okay people, I made a form for it: mark your interest here! https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIp ... w/viewform

[wallyuwl]

I am open to it during games. Would want to try it before committing.

[Pckfn23]

The thing I would say is that it would basically split the community and then one would eventually die. I don't foresee it being a good thing for the forum if we try to 2 platform it. I am on Discord a lot and like it, but I don't see this as a good idea unless we want to completely move to that platform. Even then I don't think it works well for what we would want it for. It would be completely stream of consciousness and not segmented into topics. For Game only chat, that would be great, but I doubt we are shutting it down after every game. Then if you want to create other forums in that Discord channel... I have a very bad feeling it would fracture an already small community. Sorry to rain on the parade for this one.

There may be an add-on chat feature for phpbb.

[Trudge]

I've used discord before...I'd use it for game chat but...eh

[BF004]

The thing I would say is that it would basically split the community and then one would eventually die. I don't foresee it being a good thing for the forum if we try to 2 platform it. I am on Discord a lot and like it, but I don't see this as a good idea unless we want to completely move to that platform. Even then I don't think it works well for what we would want it for. It would be completely stream of consciousness and not segmented into topics. For Game only chat, that would be great, but I doubt we are shutting it down after every game. Then if you want to create other forums in that Discord channel... I have a very bad feeling it would fracture an already small community. Sorry to rain on the parade for this one.

There may be an add-on chat feature for phpbb.

Those are good points for sure.

Doesn't appear to be much discord integration other than being able to login to a forum via your discord credentials.

[Pckfn23]

The thing I would say is that it would basically split the community and then one would eventually die. I don't foresee it being a good thing for the forum if we try to 2 platform it. I am on Discord a lot and like it, but I don't see this as a good idea unless we want to completely move to that platform. Even then I don't think it works well for what we would want it for. It would be completely stream of consciousness and not segmented into topics. For Game only chat, that would be great, but I doubt we are shutting it down after every game. Then if you want to create other forums in that Discord channel... I have a very bad feeling it would fracture an already small community. Sorry to rain on the parade for this one.

There may be an add-on chat feature for phpbb.

Those are good points for sure.

Doesn't appear to be much discord integration other than being able to login to a forum via your discord credentials.

We would definitely need to find an add on, not discord specific. Another Packer forum had one for Gamedays, can't remember who ran it though.

[salmar80]

It's an interesting idea, but I personally wouldn't use it. There are two problem with the idea: 1) it would split the gameday thread actives, and there aren't THAT many posters active there except for the biggest games, and b) a live chat inevitably comes with the problems of lag and spoilers.

We have people posting live from games, some get small delay on TV, those who stream the games can have very long lags. I like the gameday thread format, since I can choose to update the page after a key play or at a commercial break, and won't get spoiled by someone going YEEEEEAAAAH or NOOOOOO in chat after a big play...

But if others wanna try it, go for it! Let us know how it goes.

[texas]

I use discord, but I'm usually not on the gameday thread except for the occasional check-in at halftime and then after the game to give my thoughts.

Didn't packersplanet used to have an actual chat room that a bunch of people from here would use?

[salmar80]

I use discord, but I'm usually not on the gameday thread except for the occasional check-in at halftime and then after the game to give my thoughts.

Didn't packersplanet used to have an actual chat room that a bunch of people from here would use?

Yeah, planet had that. I used it for a while, and getting the raw reactions to plays was fun for awhile, 'til I got fed up with the spoilers.

[Labrev]

b) a live chat inevitably comes with the problems of lag and spoilers.

Frick, that's a good point.