ShoutBox Participant List

[Reverend Jim]

I'm having a conversation with learner010 in my ShoutBox and I noticed that my name is the only one that appears in the right hand panel. I'm using Chrome Version 31.0.1650.57 m on Windows 7 Pro.

[Dani]

I understand this can be confusing. Members who have their profile set to invisible do not show up in the list.

[Learner010]

Member who check on Be Invisible are not seen in the participant list.And i have done this.

[Reverend Jim]

Users who are set as invisible show up by name in the left panel when they participate in the conversation anyway so basically the invisible status is only beneficial to lurkers who want to follow the conversation without being seen to be present. That just seems wrong to me. I don't like the idea of not knowing who is listening in. I think if someone has chosen to participate in a ShoutBox then the other participants have a right to know this. It was my understanding that the invisible option was to block the online status from being shown. I see no reason why the invisible status should apply to chat.

I don't mind. If you don't like it then go somewhere else.

[Reverend Jim]

In my opinion that comment was rude and uncalled for. I was voicing an opinion and trying to explain in a rational manner why I have that opinion. You, on the other hand are contributing nothing to the discussion.

[Learner010]

I agree with Reverend Sir, That if somebody set Be Invisible in their profile then it does not mean that the user can't be seen in the chat participant list.

. I think if someone has chosen to participate in a ShoutBox then the other participants have a right to know this

i agree.

I see no reason why the invisible status should apply to chat.

i agree.

one more reason:
let's suppose there are 2 users in the ShoutBox and one user has set the profile as Be Invisible.
How can other user get the idea whether another one is in chat or left the chat? other user thinks that the another one has set Be Invisible that's why i can't see his name and he continues to chat and post the shoutbox even though the other one already left the chat.

so its my suggestion that whether user are visilbe or invisible they should be shown in ShoutBox List.

hope dani will work on it.

[Reverend Jim]

How can other user get the idea whether another one is in chat or left the chat?

Excellent point.

[Dani]

This topic was debated early on in the chat system. Ultimately I had decided that the purpose of choosing to mark your account as invisible would be negated if it didn't carry over into the live chat environment. The purpose of being invisible is, essentially, so that no one will know that you're currently online and you can lurk unnoticed.

It was ultimately decided that I would change the system so that invisible users remain invisible until they start participating in the chat room, at which point they become visible. I looked into a way to code that up, hit a snag, and gave up rather quickly.

When it comes to you feeling uncomfortable that you don't know who might be listening in, it should be noted that all chat rooms are logged and visible on the website. Non-logged who cannot enter the chat room, and even logged in members who just aren't in the chat room, can follow live conversations through the logs. Therefore, it should be assumed that anyone can be listening in at all times, and the logs are permanent and can be referenced later anyways. Please use private messaging if you want to say something in private.

[Reverend Jim]

Rightio.

[Learner010]

It was ultimately decided that I would change the system so that invisible users remain invisible until they start participating in the chat room, at which point they become visible

have you done it ? or currently working on it.