HTC doesn't have to host it, Skuzzy. All they would need to do is put a link up off the main page, toss in another, intermediate, page saying that the chat is not an official HTC service and is hosted by [xxxxxx] refer any problems or complaints to [xxxx@email.com] and send them on their way with another link.
This would be a community service by HTC, much like the squadron links, Indian's AH manual (when it was there), the gunsight and sounds gallery.
A chat sounds like a great idea to me. It would let potential customers get a feel for the great community here in real time, give immediate help for technical and training problems, and help get the passionate anger posts off the main board. And if you have an idea you can get a preliminary feel for its receptance before posting.
I say go for it. So's who can host this thing?
-Sudz
"Nothing evil . . . now that's the kind of radical thinking I'm looking for." - Montgomery Burns