Submission + - Messengers, Privacy, Invisibility (japanwiki.org)
Jubei writes: I would like to hear the community's thoughts about something that I have been concerned about lately. The *invisible* feature of messenger networks. I would like to hear some opinions about it.
I havent settled on the issue, here are just some of my thoughts.
I am thinking that maybe invisible mode shouldnt exist because it defeats the purpose of instant messengers. Why be on the messenger when others cannot instantly message you? Some people for example are CONSTANTLY invisible so I ask: What would happen if everyone of their contact list was invisible too? They wouldnt be able to see anybody on their contact list.
I thought that one could argue that the invisible feature should exist so that you can "silently" go online for a while to see if a friend is there without being exposed to a pm attack by others. For some people this is understandable especially those (like me) with many contacts on their list. But I will say the same argument like before. What IF (unlikely, however possible!) at the same time you go online invisible to see if your friend is there, your friend TOO goes online invisible to see if you're there? To address this maybe networks could introduce a "who's online" query from clients so that clients can get a snapshot of online users but only limit such queries from a certain ip to one every 10 minutes otherwise this could be used as an "invisible" mode alternative (i.e. you would be able to monitor who is online by staying offline.)
To that end, I am also thinking that offline messages should be not be allowed and instead IM clients should just give you the option to send an e-mail whenever a client is offline OR whenever a message fails to deliver. TOO many times have I been told ..."but msg'd you on MSN!".
To cut down on spam and harassments Instant Messengers should perhaps be made to be less obtrusive to the user. Examples? If you are busy/occupied/away the default setting should be NO sounds, no blinking of incoming message icons (perhaps a very slow fading blink) and no popups. Busy should mean busy. Perhaps also Online mode should be entirely removed and instead replaced by a "free for chat mode" in combination with a feature where the clients automaticaly reports to the server whenever you are currently chatting with somebody (although there could be some privacy concerns about this so users should have the option of disabling that). The client could also change your status automaticaly whenever you have an open chat session with somebody so that others know this and dont disturb you. Perhaps even whenever you are chatting with somebody and a users double clicks on his contact list to open a chat session with you, ONLY THEN their clients talks to your client to find out whether or not you are chatting with somebody, and if you are prompts you to proceed or not.
Thoughts anyone?
I havent settled on the issue, here are just some of my thoughts.
I am thinking that maybe invisible mode shouldnt exist because it defeats the purpose of instant messengers. Why be on the messenger when others cannot instantly message you? Some people for example are CONSTANTLY invisible so I ask: What would happen if everyone of their contact list was invisible too? They wouldnt be able to see anybody on their contact list.
I thought that one could argue that the invisible feature should exist so that you can "silently" go online for a while to see if a friend is there without being exposed to a pm attack by others. For some people this is understandable especially those (like me) with many contacts on their list. But I will say the same argument like before. What IF (unlikely, however possible!) at the same time you go online invisible to see if your friend is there, your friend TOO goes online invisible to see if you're there? To address this maybe networks could introduce a "who's online" query from clients so that clients can get a snapshot of online users but only limit such queries from a certain ip to one every 10 minutes otherwise this could be used as an "invisible" mode alternative (i.e. you would be able to monitor who is online by staying offline.)
To that end, I am also thinking that offline messages should be not be allowed and instead IM clients should just give you the option to send an e-mail whenever a client is offline OR whenever a message fails to deliver. TOO many times have I been told
To cut down on spam and harassments Instant Messengers should perhaps be made to be less obtrusive to the user. Examples? If you are busy/occupied/away the default setting should be NO sounds, no blinking of incoming message icons (perhaps a very slow fading blink) and no popups. Busy should mean busy. Perhaps also Online mode should be entirely removed and instead replaced by a "free for chat mode" in combination with a feature where the clients automaticaly reports to the server whenever you are currently chatting with somebody (although there could be some privacy concerns about this so users should have the option of disabling that). The client could also change your status automaticaly whenever you have an open chat session with somebody so that others know this and dont disturb you. Perhaps even whenever you are chatting with somebody and a users double clicks on his contact list to open a chat session with you, ONLY THEN their clients talks to your client to find out whether or not you are chatting with somebody, and if you are prompts you to proceed or not.
Thoughts anyone?
