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

It seems to me that the proponents of a "global LFG channel" want to be able to see this "glaobal LFG channel" from ANYWHERE, not just fleet and housing.

Also, if you limited the channel characters level 50+, you would hardly prevent the channel from becoming filled with spam, even if the credit sellers might not be the majority of spammers.

Maybe all we need is access to Fleet channels while in our houses. That would solve the perceived problem that was the premise for this thread.... right?

As long as they are "opt-in", I'm fine with it.

It's my opinion that the most advantageous way any new channel would work would be if it were universally global. That way, you would connect with players who might be running daily missions, FP's, Ops, WZ's - it just enhances the size of the pool you're drawing from.

If only such a tool were nearly as effective as you pretend it is. DP and DF aren't even on it, neither are HM Ops. It's like much of what Bioware has added to the game...abandoned.

While I do not see the need for one, I do understand the desire for a global channel.

I simply do not want to see an open chat global channel.

They need to be opt-OUT to be effective. As Thoop mentioned, we already have a slew of opt-in channels that are never used.

And yes, having access to Fleet chat while in our houses is ONE of the concerns I have. The growing splinters of our community is another. GSF, Daily areas, FPs, Ops, PvP - they ALL remove potential players from the pool...I'd like to see that eliminated.

OPT-IN is the better option, IMO. A global channel should not be forced upon players. It should NOT be on the players to OPT-OUT.

The difference between the current "opt-in" channels and an "official opt-in" is that ALL the players would know what the "official opt-in" channel is. They could even make it a tool tip that pops up the first time a given character logs in, to ensure that it is seen by every player.

Even if they made it "opt-in" or "opt-out", it should still NOT be an open chat channel, IMO. Any kind of global open chat channel is just too open to abuse, IMO.

No worse than how general is now.

this is assuming that people will actually care about housing and will spend more time there than they do on the fleet.

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.