Online now Icon?

I LOVE being on this website and talking to the ladies in the pregnancy forums and all that jazz.. But, what I don't like is not knowing if their on at the same time.I have to go through a lot of posts to see when they posted last. I'd really LOVE LOVE LOVE to see something that tells me their online now, or when they last were on... I don't like the guessing game! :)

Also, I was thinking maybe you could change the colors on the forums Every month. Just something new. Change it to maybe blue, to pink/ orange... etc... Just simple changes make a difference.


Thanksss =]

[cntrygrlluvin]

oh and by the way ... I would even be cool with a simple yellow checkmark beside a users name to let me know their online under Recent Activity... =]

[Atlantisea]

All excellent suggestions!

I second cntrygrlluvins thoughts.

[Raine9]

This is a good suggestion.  However, give the user a choice whether they want other people to know if they are online.  This is the way it works over at MySpace.com.  I think a better idea would be to just create a chat room.  I've seen this at other sites.  

[cntrygrlluvin]

yes, make sure they can hide their online now if they please. But it would be really helpful to get this idea going!

[Med Help]

We've been thinking about adding an "online now" feature for quite a while now. It's nice to know that our members are interested in it. We're not sure when this feature will be available, but when it is, we will definitely let you know. If there are more members interested in this feature, please leave us a comment. Thanks!

[peekawho]

Online now would be a great feature.  Very useful.

[spastic]

Some people like to lurk and don't want to be noticed, some of us sometimes don't feel well enough to chat but like to look at the posts.  I think it would be best to let the individual decide if they want to have an online icon.

[Mid]

It would be a great idea

for those who dont feel like a chat and just want to lurk at posts.

dont sign in that way you are free to lurk and not have to chat.

As for the changeing of the colour i would like to see all Cancer communites have the colour of that  Cancer OvCa Teal, Breast Pink and so on.

[cntrygrlluvin]

I agree with Mid. That would be something nice.

[Raine9]

The problem with not signing on is that you can't retrieve your private message or send someone a note.  I think it should be the person's choice whether they want people to know if they are online.  The feature is simple and is offered at all the social websites like MySpace, Facebook, Tag.com, etc.

The colors for the various forums is a great idea!

[Raine9]

I forgot to add that I correspond with a few people via private messages.  These people DO NOT feel well.  As "spastic" states some do not feel well enough for a chat.  They would rather find support via private messages and not let people know that they are online. They can't do this if they are not signed on.

Respectfully

[cntrygrlluvin]

It's all up to the users whether or not they want to be shown as online or based in a chat room.. etc...
but I believe this is a great idea so many of us who make friends on this site can communicate with them better. And not play... ring around the message. :)

[mjthewriterdad]

I don't know if I go for the part about changing colors.  Many on my forums desire sameness.

[cntrygrlluvin]

It doesn't even have to be the whole forum getting a new color.. just something on it that grabs attention..

[Stephanie_plum]

the option "let other people see that I am online" is a good one in my opinion too

[AR-10]

I'll be the odd man out.

I don't want the forum changing colors, period. It is very disconcerting. I belong to another forum that changes the background every month and I quit going there.

As for the "who's online feature", I don't much care for that, either. I would have mine turned off permanently. You know I'm online if you see me posting every ten minutes.

Chat forums are a completely different animal. That type of format is not apropriate here, in my opinion. You can chat all you like via Private Messaging. Exchanging information via chat does not benefit the community or the site, would be a nightmare to monitor, and could be used as a conduit to introduce things to the site that the owners want no part of.

But then, I'm old, crotchety, and change is not my favorite thing.

While I'm being Negative Ned, I don't see the point of the new "notes" feature, either. Seems redundant to the Private Messaging feature, only more silly and less private. But, whatever. Mine is turned off. I don't really want people leaving me notes for everyone to read.

But I like the site. :-)    

[Want to feel well!!!]

Please keep in mind that many people who use this forum are VERY ill and some have many sight issues, and constantly changing the background colors, as was done recently, would not be helpful.  The current blue background had to be tweaked, glare reduced, is working well now, but was quite an issue when it happened.

Also, due to the personal issues several members have here, an "on line" icon, if used, should be optional in the settings as are the notes, photos, journal, and friends settings.

We must remain cognizant of the fact many come here looking for advice and direction for some serious medical issues, and although this is a public access forum, issues still remain personal and anonymity is desired.

Let us not lose sight of the true purpose here.

Thank you.

[MJIthewriter]

I vote no. No color change, chat, or the online feature. I was sort of borderline towards the online, but I think I'll side with no.  I may set mine to off.

[Med Help]

As requested, we've added an Online Now feature that tells you when you a MedHelp member is online. By default, your status is displayed to your friends only. If you'd like to change your privacy settings, go to My MedHelp, then Settings in the upper right corner, then Privacy. There, you'll be able to change who sees your online status to everyone, friends only, or nobody.