Only been playing a couple of months, but one of the most common complaints I hear is the lack of any "real" chat channels. The only one is the NOVICE channel, and that is pretty limited - you cannot stay forever.

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.

This is the only game I have played (out of about 10) that has not had at least a few general chat channels. And once you are out of the Novice channel, where would you go to ask for help or info? I see no place.