Linkshells are an Epic Fail for chat

[Arrhin]

I hate global chat, alot. Also I wish my LS would be quiet sometimes...my slots are all filled an erryone is blabberin about summat almost all the time. I have two chat windows set an one is jus fer blabberin LS's.

(I wouldn be in em if I din want to, guilty of much pointless blabber meself)

[Arrhin]

A lot of the social stuff (even guilds/fcs) has moved outside the game to 3rd party places like discord since it's so accessible. Even console players can get access to it. Yeah having to get something else is kinda meh but just a sign of the times really.

Honestly from what I've seen general chat in MMOs usually just ends up trolling or "use google lol" anyways. Most online games usually have some kind of discord or reddit community that is fairly active. On reddit there are usually question threads where you can just ask w/e questions.

There's also the New Player Help forum on here.

This too, I'm also in several Discord channels, plus all the LS's. I do prefer Discord for the ability to share pics, video n links n such. Instead of "Google it" I post a link to a resource, much easier an helpful.

[Penthea]

I'm not fond of global and zone-based chat channels but I can see why other people like them and I don't disagree with the idea of them being in the game.

However it's incorrect to say linkshells are a fail chat system for the reasons OP stated. They were never intended to replace global or zone-based chat. They're more like a light version of fcs. I actually quite like linkshells because it makes it easy to be part of multiple communities without having to leave your fc.

I have tried a few linkshell channels, and not a single one has had any activity to speak of - one with over 120 members had a post perhaps once a day.

That's not a fail by SE. They can't force people to talk at the degree you personally would like. It's up to you to find a linkshell suited for your needs.