Typio said the chatbox wasn't meant to show messages if you weren't signed in so he left it like that. You can see if anyone is on the chatbox though as their username will be displayed in the left column.

Is it fixed now?

Latest update on the chatbox problem is that you can now view chatbox messages without signing in to it by clicking 'refresh'. It's still not back yet to how it was though.

For some reason, probably due to a forum update, the Chatbox no longer displays messages unless you are actually signed in to it.

Because members may see a blank screen on it and think nobody is there, I've mentioned it on the help forum. Hopefully, it can be sorted out.

http://help.forumotion.com/other-problems-f46/chatbox-no-longer-showing-messages-unless-signed-in-to-it-t44558.htm#285747