hi Ed (again) well thanks for the hint that this is going to be tested on AB, I do think it will be worth trying, then we can chat off screen so to speak, but it would need to be like on msn so that we can have multiple ones you realise.
I don't think it will stop the chatter mind, or the nonsensical public opinion posts (who is the best ABer etc), but if it cuts it down then bring it on - not that I would use it.
I think the Ed needs to purge B&S anyway as a lot of it neither relates to body or soul. Some regular ABers just love airing their dirty knickers on AB Body & Soul and I doubt personal mesaging will ever satisfy their lust.
Yes, very good point Dot & Julie. Multiple user's would have to keep signing in and out which we would be able to see, from say, the home page.
I quite like the idea of personal messaging too :o)
I don't think lists of active members are updated quickly enough to show people logging in and out as multiple users. In my experience, such lists say things like 'Active in the last 5 minutes', often over longer periods like 15 mins.
Sure dot., Most forums have far more facilities than we do in here. I was on one the other day that had so many means of communicating that I didnt know which to use and as I was posting by one means, I was getting popups telling me of incoming messages by two other methods. Forums can get really complicated and intimidating for new members. I don't think we have to go quite that far, but I agree, we could do with a little more than we get at present.
and what happens if even a small percentage of registered users are online at the same time?? Good God, AB can hardly handle long answers half the time, never mind trying to show (and keep track off) thousands of users signing in and out