We will need a server wide chat channel when housing is released

No worse than how general is now.

Unless I am mistaken, general chat is limited to your current location, such as fleet or a particular planet. It is NOT a global server or even faction wide channel. If it WERE a global channel, there would be NO perceived "need" to create a global channel, would there?

I absolutely understand your concern! It's valid. Fleet chat can be terrible at times...I wouldn't want to make spamming easier.

I would fully support limits being put on it to reduce the potential for players spamming it. Things as simple as limiting the number of characters one could type to 15-20 characters, limit how often someone could type in it (like 1 line per 2min?), character level restriction (50 sounds good to me), only available if you're grouped, to something as complex as only allowing hyperlinked messages that are system controlled - I'm thinking something like: "LFM HM DP" would show up in chat - you click the link and:
...would display. I'd be completely fine with restrictions on the channels use.

Do you not already see people spamming, trolling, or abusing general chat while on fleet? How is people spamming, trolling, or abusing a global channel all that different? More people? The most abusive are the ones that are already on fleet spamming already. You have to look at it everywhere? Turn it off and it's no different than how it is now.

A system of check boxes or drop down menus that would then automate the message to the global channel is the best way to do this, IMO.

Drop down menu example:

1- FP, OP, planet or story
Player chooses FP

2- List of all FP's
Player chooses Foundry

3- Mode
Player chooses HM

4- Number of tanks needed
Player chooses 0

5- Number of heals needed
Player chooses 1

6- Number of DPS needed
Player chooses 1
System generates automessage to global LFG channel

"<playername> looking for 1 Heal, 1 DPS for HM foundry"

I don't know if you could cover EVERY possible LFG situation, but it should be possible to make it able to cover at least MOST of the possible LFG situations.

I'm thinking that the restrictions should include a restriction on ANY open chat, not just a limit on the number of characters, how much time between messages or character level. ANY kind of open chat on a global channel, no matter what type of restrictions you place on it, is just too open to abuse by those who wish to disrupt others gaming experience, IMO.

A system of check boxes or drop down menus that would then automate the message to the global channel is the best way to do this, IMO.

Drop down menu example:

1- FP, OP, planet or story
Player chooses FP

2- List of all FP's
Player chooses Foundry

3- Mode
Player chooses HM

4- Number of tanks needed
Player chooses 0

5- Number of heals needed
Player chooses 1

6- Number of DPS needed
Player chooses 1
System generates automessage to global LFG channel

"<playername> looking for 1 Heal, 1 DPS for HM foundry"

I don't know if you could cover EVERY possible LFG situation, but it should be possible to make it able to cover at least MOST of the possible LFG situations.

You answered your own question.

Great idea, I like it. I just want to make sure that we're still giving players themselves the ability to be selective if they want, so I think we need to have a "info" line (or something) for them to spell out any restrictions they might have, like gear or voice programs.

Do I then have to reselect all of my options if something changes, or if I want to repost it? Sounds like it could be a hassle. Something like this sounds like it would make more sense as some kind of addition/alternative to LFG, where you can look through a list of groups that are forming, see the members, what they need, etc. Then when you want to join you click "request invite as [ ]tank [ ]healer [ ]dps". Or something to that effect.

I think if you're going to go with a menu solution then you might as well turn it into a menu solution, not slapping a menu input onto a chat area.

I also answered the question which answered my question. "The most abusive are the ones that are already on fleet spamming already." If someone is looking to spam they're already doing it on the fleet. A global chat channel won't be some new revelation that opens up a brand new world of trolling/spamming for them.

You could make it work like the GTN interface. All individual choices can be changed individually, and remain set until changed or interface is reset, much like the GTN interface. Instead of a search button, there could be a "send message" button with a cool down when message is sent to global LFG channel, say one minute, to prevent "spamming".

If you make it a global channel, then those who sit on fleet to spam now could do so from ANYWHERE. Those desiring to avoid the spam, say by staying in their house or on their ship, would be subjected to the spam.