Yes
No
I like the set of options AlexTaldren suggested as well. One of the big things I thought was missing when I first encountered other people was something like a /s.
I'd agree with the more localized chat with a range of 50-250. (perhaps yell could be the 250 range)
However, with the way the game is currently we need some kinda chat that is in place now to initiate trades, encounters, or whatever.
They could just limit the number of times you can use the current way of chatting to like a minute. (radio, smoke-signals, or whatever) So assuming you chose your sentence carefully you could advertise or request trade and the responder could do the same with a location included.
I dont know about most of the population but everyone i talk to seems to have duel monitor setups, in which case your 2nd monitor should be on IRC.
then all the complaints about local chat being dead pretty much are all null void.
Anarchy online used a modified IRC server for there chat system, the added benefit is you can connect to it via the website using your credentials and talk to your fellow guildies in game while at work or something.
I still don't see why AlexTaldren's idea is difficult to implement. I've always wanted that system even before I read that he suggested it. It's a simple fix and I really would like close range chat so I don't have to whisper to everyone
Why don't we just bring back global if we want IRC built into the game? I certainly wouldn't mind IRC built into the game but AlexTaldren's idea should still be implemented