ChatINFO Feature

[Cougar]

A small PopUp at the time a new ChatBox opens (or a small button/option IN the regular CHATBOX) that provides INFORMATION on the initiator, specifically:

- What file they clicked on to open this chat
(and what search parameter found it, or if its in download)
- How much total download/upload bandwidth user has alloted
- Connection Type (Modem. T1. etc)
- Client type and version
- If user's files are viewable or not (click to view)
- A personal (optional) contact field

(optionally also possibly things like:
- IP address
- how long the user has been online
- how much total MB and # of files user has available to share
- If user classifies as a FREELOADER or not by current settings.
etc.)


WHY???

Because its annoying as heck when someone opens a chat window and asks you: "Hey dude... does this file work?" or "Is this the FULL version?" I'm thinking... "WHAT FILE!??"

The ChatINFO feature box will allow us to know what the HECK this guy is even talking about (what file) spurned the contact.

Additional results of ChatINFO feature:

1) Decide whether to even talk to the guy
2) I'll know what file/download he is ASKING about
3) I can see if his connection/resources are worth offering it to him
4) I can know some contact info (if he configured some in)

--

ALL information should be configurable to be blocked by the sender for security! (however, those who block.... need to expect that not all chats will be accepted.)


[ Any questions? ASK. This was the short version. ]

[Lord of the Rings]

Just passing thru I hope u don't mind me commenting on a couple of your points. (There's some good points there.)

Personally I wouldn't want to be giving too much away about myself if I had suspicions about that person. eg: If I initiated the contact but that person turned out to be the scum of the earth, I certainly wouldn't want them to be able to identify my isp/personal contact details.

3) I can see if his connection/resources are worth offering it to him
The idea of knowing a person's connection brings in a certain prejudice - oh they only have a dialup, so I won't offer them anything. It sort of brings in the upper bandwith 'class' & 'the others' not worth sharing with. Which is not to say it can't already be done b/c it can.

[Cougar]

Comments are always welcome - even criticism, we can sometimes learn from.

I agree with you... I would very likely have most of my ChatINFO blocked (or not filled in). Thats why i added the Block info option at the end of the post. We agree.

--

The way LimeWire works now days, with swarm technology and all... a handful of dialups could possibly beat out a heavily used T1. So your point is well taken.

However, that would mostly apply to easy-to-find files. If the user happened to have a unique file would make a trade worth both people's time, then the available bandwidth knowledge might come in handy (mostly considering time to complete the transfer). -maybe a bit weaker, but still a point of thought.

And to actually finish that thought out.... I didn't include this additional idea, because i assumed someone coding would come up with it on their own. The whole topic above is practically irrelevant if the person requesting the file doesn't get it in any better way than waiting as he was before!~

The file could be queued behind 100 people, or just taking too long. Therefore, I assumed a coder would add a SEND FILE button/option to the Chat Window since the file of topic was already clearly identified in the regular ChatINFO feature. This command could make the targeted user a priority for queue and bandwidth (or even transfer that file via a separate client to client protocol). Maybe that makes a little more sense of where I was coming from. (WARNING: If they do this... everyone will likely start bothering each other in chat to request to be put first! So maybe its not in our best interests... then again... who knows!? It sure might help you one day!)

But yeah... a lot of that information I suggested is pretty useless for most. And might be too hard, too big, or too much hassle to code into LimeWire.

Even if we agree that FULL PRIVACY should be the DEFAULT setting, or no other data should be made available, at least knowing what file sparked the message is still a valuable bit of "safe" info to transmit (in my opinion).

[Lord of the Rings]

I agree with your last point about the knowing which file created the interest. And since the new version to be released is offering (better) support for direct connection (to my knowledge), these ideas could be very useful. (Although, if this sounds dumb, why not respond with "which file fare u talking about?") But the SEND FILE button/option to the Chat Window sounds good. The only thing I'd worry about is a group of people who constantly share between themselves & give preference of their connections to them. But I guess those things would be considered in such programming design. What were the other ideas you had?

[Cougar]

The answer to your question:

why not respond with "which file fare u talking about?"

is simply REPETITION. I personally get tired of saying that all the time. It wastes time i should be downloading too.

Unfortunately, I don't have much more time to play online today, so I can't give the rest of my ideas. However, I did post another one earlier today called: "CleanUP Feature" (it has an adjoining poll too).

I suppose I am of the school of thought, that anything repeated and costs time, should be automated or simplified. I may or may not stand alone in this philosophy, but it tends to be what generates my Feature suggestions.

P.S. I wonder why NO ONE ever votes in polls on here?? Hmmmm....

I like any improvements!

But the one I want the MOST is the option to turn Chat off if Im away from my computer for more than -- amount of time.

Also, being a mac os x user, and not sure about windows set-up, it is not as easy as pushing a button to disable Chat feature, I have to go into the preferences, find the chat option, select it, then turn chat off.
If I had auto away ability I guess this wouldnt really be that big of a deal, but as it is now I have chat on when I am away from my computer for hours. So someone has to get lucky to chat with me.
I like to think thats why I dont ususally get a response from people with the Chat feature enabled.

[Cougar]

Peerless,

If I read you right, it sounds like you are suggesting a feature that aleady exists in Limewire's main GUI menu......

...... oh wait... maybe THAT was your Point!