Visitors will see it and have to become members to post on it.
A MORE lively line of conversation with members will result from members seeing what's happening when they first get online.
The who's online list should be up there too.
The top of the forum list is still visible below the shoutbox and the shoutbox when placed at the bottom is several scrolls to even be able to see.
I LIKE IT ON TOP AND SHE DOES TOO!

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"Most people can't think, most of the remainder won't think, the small fraction who do think mostly can't do it very well. The extremely tiny fraction who think regularly, accurately, creatively and without self delusion---In the long run these are the only people that count."Robert Heinlein