An idea...
What if the folks at CD simply took out the chitchat forum, and began STRONGLY enforcing a no chit chat policy. Then, the chatter wouldn't just slide into the other forums (or, if it did, it wouldn't last long.)
To take it's place, someone else starts
www.firstsocialboard.com
which is a message board dedicated to chit/chat among FIRSTers.
This way, CD remains the communitty hub for team/FIRST/technical support and discussion. fsb.com turns into the "chatty" board.
Delphi doesn't have to deal with the liability.
The level of quality of cd.com will increase.
The chatters will have a new home.
fsb.com could have it's own set of moderators who enforce a (much relaxed) code of conduct from the *new* CD.com.
I see this as my ideal world.
If I want to talk robots in a serious manner, I hit up CD.com (obviously some jokes would remain, ala Dave Lavery type humor joking about FIRST)
If I want to socialize with other FIRSTers, voice my political views, talk about the newest movies, etc etc... I go to fsb.com
Any thoughts?
JVN