Yes, this is definitely a good idea... and HOW good of an idea it is (and how long we've had issues with the other thread) points to the need for all moderators to step up and offer solutions when they see recurring problems. Members (especially those who don't spend time in other SFs) don't necessarily know how to fix things. Moderators should be proactive when there's a common frustration and be able to say "hey... why don't we try this?" It shouldn't have taken Syb noticing that other sub-forums have a basic "shopping" chat. We were obviously all very frustrated with how often we were being chastised on the other thread, and most (not all) of the off-topic posts were still about shopping for HH. If it hadn't occurred to us to ASK for this kind of a thread (mainly because most of us assumed that's what the old thread was) then it could have been suggested to us. I do hope that once we get an HH-specific moderator that person will have enough time for us to be pro-active when she sees recurring problems.
Having said all that, I also thank Swanky for getting this one set up and hope we'll be able to stay on the GENERAL topic of shopping for HH. Obviously discussions of pets, dreamy men, the stock market, still need to go to the Hangout (which for all newbies is our "regular" CHAT thread). This thread is for discussions and chat about buying HH.