Lol....... you kids are stupid
1. You make rules for the Shoutbox. IEO- You can't sell shit etc, so the markets get used
2. If it kills your server load your host is fucking garabage
3. If anything, it would make me be more active because that's one thing I love about forums, I think it helps bring community members closer together.
Look at Hacking(dot)RS for example, not trying to compare you guys but..
There are 100$\200M donators with 100-300 posts and been there for months. Yes they aren't THAT active with posting, but if there wasn't a shoutbox some said they wouldn't use the site at all.
Threads: 35,456, Posts: 348,992, Members: 5,892, Active Members: 2,928
Currently Active Users: 129 (105 members and 24 guests)
Forum was created 2 weeks into 2011.
Again, not trying to advertise or flame, but I think a shoutbox is a central point for communities imo.