We use a forum to communicate within the team. This is because a chronological communication like in a chat has several problems:

• no sorting (but chronological)
• merging of chat and serious communication
• hard to find information („Where is the link to the data sheet of the diodes?!“)

Instead of a chat we use a team forum for non personal communication within the team. As a result we don’t have to worry about the drawbacks mentioned above. Furthermore by using a forum, every communiation is being saved and backuped and can be reviewed later if necessary.