Why Must All Read It?
It certainly is irritating to see the same comments in Shoutbox day after day, particularly as it looks like a few ))TikiDevsusingTikiDevTalk((. I thought that as an Anonymous User, and I'm sure visitors are not impressed either.
I think Shoutbox should vanish from public view until it is useful. Or make it a ))DevShout(( which only Devs can see.
Perhaps a ))NewsShout(( box would be more useful, if it has little announcements intended for everyone.