2012 Chat Record Breaking Attempt Thread

[The Avatar 1,089]

With the positive response from the community, I have decided to organize the 2012 Chat Record Breaking Attempt. In this event, we will try to break the current record of having the most people in chat at one time, which is 90. However, I think we can do even better, so I suggest our goal should be 100.

The attempt to break the record last year failed due to poor organization and advertising. This year, that will be changed. In order to accomplish our goal, I have set up the date and time a couple of months in advance, to give everyone enough notice, scheduled the event at a date and time that will work for the "Big Three" - New Zealand/Australia, Canada/US, and Europe, and organized some advertising for the event.

The event will be on Saturday, September 29^th, at 11PM GMT. I have tried to schedule the event at a date and time that will work for the majority of our users. If this time doesn't work for you, I apologize. I cannot please everyone.

You can help by advertising for the event. To avoid spam, I have set up some rules and guidelines:

- Do not send out PMs advertising for the event. People will constantly be receiving spam PMs about the event if this is allowed.

- Do not create any other topics regarding the event

- Do not spam in any way regarding the event

- Do use status updates to get the word out

- Do (if you feel so compelled) use other social media to get the word out

- Do use common sense when advertising. Don't post something like "GO TO THE CHAT SESSION NOW!!111!!!one"

- Do follow all site rules when advertising

Here are some rules to follow during the event:

- Do not show up, and then leave immediately after (unless you have to). Doing this does not help us break the record.

- Do not spam (a given)

- Do not go crazy (Night chat can get pretty crazy with only 20 people; imagine what it's like with 90-100.)

- Do not post the number of people in the chat session. Eventually, everyone will start to do this, and the chat becomes flooded with numbers, so let's prevent that from happening.

- Do listen to what the moderators and admins say. It is difficult for them to moderate 30 people at night (when things can get crazy), so imagine how difficult it is to moderate 90-100.

- Do have a good time

Feel free to post your suggestions and opinions.

A note for the moderators: I made another topic titled "2012 Chat Record Breaking Attempt?" which was for the purpose of collecting the opinions of Simtropolis members on having a chat record breaking event. This topic is for the purpose of providing information about the event, and allowing for discussion about the event. That's why I made two separate topics. However, if you feel they should be merged, please do so.

Chat Record Breaking Attempt 2012: Be there or be square! (Or trapezoidal, if you're a hipster.)

[deathtopumpkins 43]

Just pointing this out... you realize the chat software maxes out at either 99 or 100 people and we a few years ago got into the upper 90s, so you can't really go more than a few people higher than last time.

Also... I have to ask... WHY!? What is the obsession with chat record breakings?

[jacksunny 741]

Every time this topic is discussed, is it really neccesary that last year's attempt be brought up? Last year's attempt failed because the site was so slow, it was difficult to even get on. There was about 300 active users per 15 minutes, now there is about 700.

Can we just forget about it already?

And if there is a limit to the number of people in chat, there is no point in even doing this. Imo, we would easily be able to get more than 100 people this time around, but if the chat can't support it, we can't break the record, right?

[The Avatar 1,089]

Thank you for pointing that out. I did not know that. I assumed it maxed out at around that point, and if we reach it, we won't have to try and reach it again.

That sort of answers your question. To fully answer why we should try to break the record: progress. If improvements were never made; if goals were never set and reached, society and the world would never progress. Plus, some people enjoy the event.

[deathtopumpkins 43]

How is trying to reach the limit of people in chat (aka maybe 3 more people than last time) progress? How is that an improvement? How does that help society progress? Setting goals of curing disease, or finding new energy sources, those are the kinds of goals that help world progress. Cramming as many people into an internet chatroom as possible even when we already know the limit and have gotten extremely close before does not help world progress.

if we reach it, we won't have to try and reach it again.

Why do we have to in the first place?

[SimCity4IE 202]

What's with all of the negative criticism? It's just meant to be a fun night for all, it's not a serious event of whether we get to the chat limit or not.

Count me in, I find it fun, it creates a nice and electric atmosphere in the chatroom

If you are considering to continue with this, maybe make a list of the names of who is attending to create a rough estimate. Count me in.

How is trying to reach the limit of people in chat (aka maybe 3 more people than last time) progress? How is that an improvement? How does that help society progress? Setting goals of curing disease, or finding new energy sources, those are the kinds of goals that help world progress. Cramming as many people into an internet chatroom as possible even when we already know the limit and have gotten extremely close before does not help world progress.

if we reach it, we won't have to try and reach it again.

Why do we have to in the first place?

Lighten up a bit; no one is forcing you to attend, you don't have to. Progress or whatnot, would you say that playing SimCity helps the world progress in any direct physical way?

  Edited July 24, 2012 by SimCity4IE  

[Cockatoo 2,257]

Why do we have to in the first place?

Very rarely do I visit chat, but I was there for the 2010 attempt and I actually really enjoyed it.

IMHO, A community like ST needs events like these once in a while to help bring a little extra excitement into the 'daily routine' of being here. I'm not sure how much it actually has to do with breaking a certain number or ‘record’, I think what really attracts people is just the novelty of the whole thing. Even with only 60,70,80 people, it should still be considered a success.

So in answer to your question... well… why not?

[Haljackey 17,355]

Exactly. Having a bunch of members crowding the ST chatroom isn't going to hinder humanity's progress DTP.

Events like this are perfectly justified. It's fine to have good simple fun with events like this. I don't know what I'm doing yet that day, but I'm pretty sure I'll be there for it.

[StanislavSoltys 47]

Such negativity DtP, I agree with what others said so I don't have to repeat it. I'm excited for this event, and hopefully I'll be able to attend.

[The Avatar 1,089]

How is trying to reach the limit of people in chat (aka maybe 3 more people than last time) progress? How is that an improvement? How does that help society progress? Setting goals of curing disease, or finding new energy sources, those are the kinds of goals that help world progress. Cramming as many people into an internet chatroom as possible even when we already know the limit and have gotten extremely close before does not help world progress.

if we reach it, we won't have to try and reach it again.

Why do we have to in the first place?

I'm not saying it will help society progress; I was just saying that if society didn't try to improve on achievements like this, we would never progress. To be honest, this is an unimportant event. We don't have to try it, and nobody is forcing anyone to try it. It will not cure cancer. It won't help anyone. It won't do much of anything but provide fun for some people; but as long as some people enjoy it, I say why not?

@Jack: I know you helped to organize the attempt in 2011, and I'm not trying to insult you by saying that last year's attempt failed. I'm not saying it was anyone's fault; the statement that it failed is my opinion. If anything, I'm trying to motivate people to attend this year. Nevertheless, I won't mention it any more.

@All others: Thank you for the support.

[deathtopumpkins 43]

I'm not saying you shouldn't do it. Just that it's completely pointless and your reasoning behind it is ...questionable.

I'd like to make clear, for the record, that that is my personal opinion, not my opinion as site staff, so there is no authority behind it.

Finally, please stop telling me to lighten up. Just because I think something like this is stupid doesn't make me some mean old grouch who ruins all the fun. I'm a fun guy. I just don't think of things like this as fun. Then again I think setting records just to set a record in any field is pointless.

[The Avatar 1,089]

I'm not saying you shouldn't do it. Just that it's completely pointless and your reasoning behind it is ...questionable.

I'd like to make clear, for the record, that that is my personal opinion, not my opinion as site staff, so there is no authority behind it.

Finally, please stop telling me to lighten up. Just because I think something like this is stupid doesn't make me some mean old grouch who ruins all the fun. I'm a fun guy. I just don't think of things like this as fun. Then again I think setting records just to set a record in any field is pointless.

I respect your opinion and I understand where you're coming from with your points. My reasoning behind this event, in a nutshell, it that breaking the previous record, no matter by how small a number, is an accomplishment. I understand you're a fun guy, so I assume you can recognize that sometimes accomplishing something just to accomplish it is a good thing; there doesn't have to be a point behind all things in life to make them a valid thing to do. If life were all about doing things for a relevant purpose, people would live very dull lives. Besides, if we don't break the record, who cares? If people enjoyed it, then I'm proud to have organized it.

EDIT: Please excuse my double post.

  Edited July 25, 2012 by MamaLuigi945  

[elavery 1,013]

Does this mean chat will be working reliably by September?

[Vahr 341]

I'm on the fence on this one in terms of support, but I'll probably be in chat anyways, so it won't matter. Good luck

[Follarch 326]

Yeah, it's just a big, "ehh.." I'm all for community events to bring fun to everyone. But I believe I was in one of the attempts, with like 70 users logged in at the time, and I swear, soooo many messages. But who are we to tell others to not do something that's harmless? Even if this is a Dirktatorship.

I'm never in chat anywhos so, eh. Oh and your idea to plan the even two months from now. A lot of people will probably forget about this as time goes on.

[The Avatar 1,089]

Yeah, it's just a big, "ehh.." I'm all for community events to bring fun to everyone. But I believe I was in one of the attempts, with like 70 users logged in at the time, and I swear, soooo many messages. But who are we to tell others to not do something that's harmless? Even if this is a Dirktatorship.

I'm never in chat anywhos so, eh. Oh and your idea to plan the even two months from now. A lot of people will probably forget about this as time goes on.

It's better to plan ahead two months than to plan the event too early. I figured that planning two months in advance would help in getting the word out.

Does this mean chat will be working reliably by September?

I'm not sure. It seems like a lot of the issues with chat have been getting better, so I hope by September all issues will have been fixed.

[Terring 6,476]

I'll be there too

[Larks2242 251]

Good that there is a time frame, Some people schedule these things like a week ahead and wonder why no one comes, With planing and strategic promotion, looks like it can be down.

I'm in.

  Edited July 26, 2012 by Larks2242  

[Ace3 1,209]

Be there or be square! (Or trapezoidal, if you're a hipster.)

Hipsta time.

I'll see if I can be there!

[The Avatar 1,089]

I'd just like to give a big thanks to Jack3oh3 for his help with the event. Thanks, Jack!

To everyone, I hope to see you all there!

[Jazzmaster 716]

I think it's fine if you want to do it. Personally, I'm pretty busy these days, and I tend to forget about this record breaking attempts sooner or later.

I'm just in chat, when I'm in chat...so have fun, really.

[Kruness 176]

what do you mean with ''11PMG'' what timezone is it?

[Jack³ 291]

what do you mean with ''11PMG'' what timezone is it?

11 pm, GMT (Greenwich Mean Time). I'm in Central Time; so it will be 5 pm, GMT-6. There is a conversion chart here.

[simmaster07 1,221]

Throwback!

  Edited August 6, 2012 by simmaster07  

[westy177 203]

Yep count me in (unless something comes up ) sound like fun good idea MamaLuigi845

[A Nonny Moose 8,261]

what do you mean with ''11PMG'' what timezone is it?

11 pm, GMT (Greenwich Mean Time). I'm in Central Time; so it will be 5 pm, GMT-6. There is a conversion chart here.

Just as a matter of interest, the abbreviation for Greenwich time is Z (Zulu). So I assume what you really wanted was 2300Z.

[aaaling 83]

I’m going to participate! It’s 7:00pm if you’re in the Eastern Time Zone (Remember DST?).

[Monster's Cat 120]

The event will be on Saturday, September 29^th, at 11PM GMT.

So what time would it be in central time? EDIT: Oh never mind i didn't see the post above mine that answered my question.
  Edited September 8, 2012 by MatthewB13  

[kagamiya 5]

count me to_ at 5.00 pm GMT+7

[The Avatar 1,089]

Thanks to all of you. I appreciate the support.

The date of the event is getting closer, as it is now mid-September. Don't forget: Saturday, September 29th at 11PM GMT (or 2300Z), and try to make it if you can. Thanks again!

  Edited September 15, 2012 by MamaLuigi945