You may notice the site has implemented a new private messaging and Chat system. Some are reluctant to use it, others aren't sure they would care for it.

 

But thanks to an interesting fiasco today, a group of users ended up getting a crash course not only in how the new Chat operates, but in just how important personal preferences and settings can be. I'm posting this both to help, and admittedly, for the lulz.

 

So today one particular user kept goading ppl into following him into Chat. Acting sweet as can be, one by one ppl decided to check it out to shut him up, only to find message alarms annoying, and no obvious way to exit the Pool (main chat room).

 

About three or so hours later, I noticed more ppl had gathered there than the main page, so I decided to check it out for myself.

 

Turns out this loser had been stuck in the Pool since about 6 in the morning, bombarded with chimes at every new post and unable to figure out how to exit. He decided to turn this into a scheme: abuse yet another feature to EBW by dragging others into Chat to "trap" them. By the time I had logged into the room, he was balking like a loon it was his plan to lure everyone in, since Chat was tweaking out and no personalizations existed...

 

 

Except the Chat has perfectly working preference settings available and very easy to use:

 

 

#1 - Sound.

In your basic Chat settings, click the OPTIONS wheel and select CHAT SOUNDS. You want the check mark to be off. Now click the CHAT ROOMS double text bubble icon next to your basic chat settings tab and click that OPTIONS wheel.  Again, click to uncheck CHAT SOUNDS.

 

#2 - Chat participation.

In your basic Chat settings, click the OPTIONS wheel and uncheck AVAILABLE TO CHAT. This should close your participation and deem you unavailable to the room. An OFFLINE notice will appear on your tab. The number of continuing posts by active and unblocked users will be counted above the double text bubble icon, the same way the inbox counter works on the main page. Note that at any time you enter your basic chat list or resume participation in a room, your  check mark will reappear and you are deemed active.

 

#3 - Blocking.

You can also block in this Chat like any other. Simply scroll down the list of EBW users, click their name, and hit BLOCK USER. It works the same as in EBW profile settings. It may take a few moments for your block list to update, especially with non-participants. Blocked users will also not be able to send you personal messages and any that have (indicated by a pm tab) will instantly disappear. You will no longer have to see any future posts by that user!

 

#4 - Logging off.

By simply ceasing activity or logging off EBW entirely for only 5 minutes, all previous chatroom activity disappears. Your message counter will be off, and your personal settings will remain unchanged.

 

 

Use these tips to acquaint yourself with the new Chat feature and personalize your experience, so you can limit your time trying to fiddle with settings or dealing with trash.

 

Once the first group had it cleared up, the room instantly emptied.

 

The only one left was the very idiot who sat stuck in there all day unable to figure out the settings while dings blasted in his ears.

 

 

SPECIAL NOTE

 

After about only 60 seconds of tinkering and then telling ppl how to mute and such, the fuckwit attempted to save face by immediately claiming a "glitch" was keeping everyone in chat (and would continue to trap existing users there ) and that the sound and other settings were not capable of being altered. He continued to stand by this claim to mask his own stupidity. Of course:

 

 

There is no glitch. These simple settings take two minutes to comprehend.

 

 

Guess he didn't like me telling him so, as once the room starting emptying, I got a total of around a dozen and a half private message tabs from this dolt and a slew of angry posts back on the main feech:

 

Within the room: I tried to get Bernie_Sanders to lure her in... Now your stuck with the glitch and this window will permanently stay up...you can't disable the dings now you'll be stuck with them all day...your not going to be able to log out

 

After settings explained: (insert ad nauseum comments about how other ppl are 'stuck' in room)

 

 

 

Oh, someone also had to remind him there's a mute setting on your toolbar.  Fortunately you guys are smart enough not to need it, FAQ or no.