Here's my thoughts on this... I think the idea is that the Java applet that MadridMan uses sorta sucks (sorry MM) and secondly even though people are online all the time, we can't seem to cross paths in the chat room.
The first issue is the Java applet. It uses IRC (internet relay chat - it's an open internet protocol for having group chats) but this particular application is locked down so you can't access their server from a nicer client, which is a shame, and it pops up another window, which is NOT NICE.
The problem with saying "let's just all use IRC" is that most people will have no idea how to do this. IRC isn't the user-friendliest system in the world. That's why you don't see it used a lot on other portals out there like Yahoo or whatnot. However, maybe we can convince MadridMan to use a more open Java IRC applet that could connect to Hispanet (an IRC server) so that the newbies could use the online chat link and the more power-users could use their normal IRC clients.
There are MANY free Java IRC applets out there.
Take a look... There are more if you do a Google search and ICQ.com has an open system too. The cool thing is that most of the applets out there allow you to choose which IRC server you want to use and the channel name (obviously #MadridMan). This is much better than using a private applet/server system I think.
One thing that would encourage group chatting a bit more, I think, would be a link on the bulletin board itself. Many "guests" would love to go online and chat about Spain, but don't know that the chat functionality exists.
Now, the other option for group chat is simply using the Instant Messengers that many of us already have on our computers already. The problem is that this, for many people, is a bit private. It depends on how you use your IM. I've got friends, old co-workers, all my family, etc. on my IMs, so it's all the same to me. I've even published my contacts on my web page (like MadridMan).
The other problem is which IM system to use? MSN, AOL, ICQ or Yahoo? What I do is use the
Trillian Multi-IM client . This is a GREAT program that allows you to chat with all FOUR of the IM systems AND IRC at the same time. You have to have an account on all the systems, but at least I never miss chatting to anyone due to them using a different system.
I know from MM's front page that he's an ICQ user and even though I'm not a big fan, they do have a bunch of tools including IRC chat rooms, etc. It might be a good place to start.
Here's MY contact info if anyone wants to add me to their IM-
Yahoo: russell_beattie
AOL: russell010
MSN: rbeattie@hotmail.com
ICQ: 89161011
I'll add this info to my Profile - if enough people do that sort of thing, then the chats might get really common and interesting.
-Russ