I believe it was Max who said (at some time, somewhere - might even have been in the Chat Room itself) that there were plans to post specific topics, for specific times, to be discussed in the Chat Room.

I know that sometimes I don't sign on because I'm not sure what to say if I do meet someone there ... "Hello, where are you from" is a beginning, but then what?

I would think that Topic Times would open up rather than restrict conversation; then I could sign on when I had an interest in the particular subject at that time.

Some of our threads would make good topics for hot debate, e.g. what is a folk song, why live music, what to put on the Mudcat t-shirts, etc., etc.

And Max did say that while they wouldn't be keeping record of most Chat Room discussions (too much idle banter) - they would record the Specific Topic discussions & keep them on file.