Good original post, Salan. I was wondering this myself the other day and I will admit that I too was talking about the web-based game.
I tend to agree with Draygon that since it is not a game we actively play like SINS or WIC, it isn't as much an issue. I would say idlely chatting about it while waiting to get an EiR game would be like chatting about the baseball game you played yesterday.
I'll defer to FL's ruling on the issue, but until then I plan to operate under the guideline of allowing it as long as it doesn't disrupt the ability of players to play EiR (such as monopolizing channels or using the battle channels).
I just asked everyone to move the discussion channel and allow games to be found in the lobby last night. They were clogging up the lobby for a while till then.