I will echo the voices that have mentioned organized chat times. It would be much easier for me to chat if I knew when other people would be in the room.
On a side note, now that my dam project is almost over (that phrase has TWO interpretations
), I will have a bit more free time to get to know of of the people here better.
I vote to keep the chat room open.
As for improvements to the site, I really have no suggestions. TM and company have done a great job with this site.