I never was able to understand the hatred Urban's got to the shoutbox. True he's a Hatemonger by excellence, but I do prefer the shoutbox without the spammers that come to ruin my day.

I have to agree with right-Track on that one. I don't think "the request" is necessary, but I'd prefer the shoutbox to be some kind of a privilege.
It's just going to be hidden until a number of post is reached, and usually most of the users think that it's no here anyway, as it's jammed at the end of the page. So I don't think any spammer would know of it, and start spamming the main forum for the sole purpose of infecting the shouty.

because it generally means the contingency of bored douchebags demanding to be entertained stick around here longer than they normally would.

I don't mind it as much, I just wish the SB junkies would post something of value once in awhile.

Still can't see what's so bad in sticking around more than usual.

An exclusive shoutbox? Might be a bit much. Leave everything as is I say, no need for any control medium of any sort on it.

All the regulars in the shoutbox post on the boards too, Me, #9, Paloma, Booboo UnchainedBallad, Anteater even Mojopinuk. We all post on the boards so what's the problem?

I'm a mod on another forum and that's how our shoutbox works. In order to chat in the SB a member needs to make 50 posts (yeah our admin is harsh) and needs to have gained some respect around the forum. We also have sections of the board that are hidden (like sections that deal with more adult topics for example), that are only viewable (is that a word?) when a member makes 150 posts and is over the age of 18. It's a smaller forum than MB, and spam occasionally comes through in waves. It's horrible. I know how hard the mods here work to clean up spam and ban trolls.

I agree with Urban about spamming. It's not that big of a deal if someone spams in the SB.
Eventually they'll get tired or someone will see them and ban them.

And I don't think a 5 post limit will do much.

I really like the shoutbox. But there's a lot of drama and a lot of BS in there rather than real conversation, so the spamming isn't really getting in the way of much when it only comes every once in a while.

Speaking as a person who hardly uses the shout box I can agree with your point.
However, there are those that use the shout box to communicate with other members who enjoy a bit of banter with while browsing the forums.
I bet there are more than a few who'd grudgingly admit to it being a primary reason for visiting here.
It all helps contribute positively to the site and goes some way towards making MB more of a community, as opposed to it being just another message board.
Better the drama and BS happen in there than on the boards too.

Last night the spamming got in the way (going off what I saw) of those members who enjoy real time banter with others.
After all, that's what the shout box is there for.

Additionally, there have been occasions when the shout box has been used (as I recall) in attempts to hack MB and compromise the site. So far unsuccessfully, but as far as I know the possibility still exists.

Limiting it to regular member access only, will keep out the spammers and help secure the site against those who, for whatever reason, want to fuck around with MB.
It certainly wouldn't do any harm to give it a try.

on second thought, I think the appearance is pretty good. :D
:yikes::shycouch:

How about another shoutbox where you earn the privilege to use it? Honestly, it isn't that big a deal since whenever I use the sb it seems fine. Idiots like him are pretty rare and when they show up they are taken care of in a day or so. I'm just throwing out ideas.