Quite some forums i visit have this "live chat" function. There isn't one forum where it has success. Its just a different way of communicating. It's like saying "lets all add eachother on msn and have a group conversation". Doesnt work either
The advantage of a forum is that you can reply to Sarnie's postwhoring without having to wait for Sarnie to join the "room" (then again, is he ever out of the room? ). On a chat, if there is nobody you just have to wait before spamming, and moreover, it doesnt increase your postcount so no free sticker