Just WHAT is the Purpose of the Shout Box?

[Magenta]

I have spent some time on the site this evening, and the SB was dominated by two individuals who were posting back and forth, and carrying on their conversation regarding their posts in the SB.  It seemed to me, that the SB is a place to socialize, and I felt that that the storyline could have been discussed on PM or via chat.  It seemed to me, that people popping in and out of SB were indeed as "out of the loop" as I felt.  It was difficult to get a general conversation going. 

[Trieste]

Ehm. Perhaps this purpose would be better served by a quick, polite PM to the persons involved, as I'm certain they don't realise that others feel alienated and 'out of the loop' until someone tells them via very public means... which can be embarrassing.