How important is a chat feature these days? I see fewer and fewer of them as opposed to forums, message boards, etc. I know alot of people are more reluctant anymore to use chat rooms which is why I'm wondering.

I think chatrooms are becoming less important. Part of that is because of the amount of abusive behaviour that is allowed to take place. Those who glory in their anonimity feel free to treat others in ways they would never dare if they were in a face to face situation. Also, the activities of pedophiles, their behaviors, and the spotlight that has been shined on their activities leads many law abiding adults to worry about the possibility that the person they are chatting with isn't over 21. No one wants to be blamed for inappropriate converstaion with a minor who has access to chatrooms and initiates adult oriented conversation due to their parents' allowing unsupervised access.

I've been online for what seems eons now, and chat room life has definitely changed a lot. Some forums still have the feature, but as groups got more and more international, the time differences put some places out of the chat business. They also need good monitors, who in the old days were volunteers. YOu aren't going to find freebie workers now.