Do you use conference IM

An IM conference is started by context clicking on a folder with calling cards in it and selecting one of the 'Instant Message...' menu choices. We are working on a new instant message and friends system which could significantly alter this interface. I would like to know how much this feature is used.

Do you use the conference IM?

I use this feature with group IM's and would be sad to see it altered inefficiently. Don't do the folder thing much but have on occasion.

I have tried to use this several times, but it usually ended up getting bugged and sending messages to the wrong users. Example: private IM to a person in a conference goes to the entire conference.

It would be nice to have a function like this, but as it stands now I don't feel we would be losing much to have it disapear.

I don't use it much, mostly because it's tied to the woefully stupid calling card system, and it's kludgy as all hell, plus the inability for someone to rejoin a conference if they accidentally leave it, but I do use it on very rare occasions.

It'd be nice if the whole chat system worked -better- and more intuitively though.

I use it - the "new" 20 meter chat range made it more difficult for people to collaborate on large builds.
"Conference" chat is an important collaboration feature. It is not often used because most people are unaware that it exists, and message the entire group instead, which is annoying to those who dont want to receive unsoliciterd messages.
I think it should be more streamlined, for instance, add an INVITE button to the standard IM interface so that people can easily choose who to add to the conference.

I've used it several times to communicate with group members. It would be easier if the interface reversed things. Instead of finding calling cards, copying them to a folder, and initiating an IM, it would be easier if we could initiate an IM and add groups and/or individuals to it with the option for offline IM too.

I dont use it really, but there have been plenty of times it would have been nice to be able to add a person to the conversation. A simple way to add a new chat participant would be really cool.

sometimes




jester

Yep, I do...

I havent used it once yet, i'd be interested in seeing a new system.

I use it, but it does need improvement, infact, alot

I like Cubey Terra's suggestion.

I haven't really used it myself. Others have used it on me though.

A situation hasn't arisen for me to do such a thing. :\

I'm used conference IM a few times. I dont get to use to much, but I find it really useful when I do. And yes, all the problems mentioned above need to be fixed.

I have used it myself and find it very handy when trying to pass the same message to a lot of people. i would prefer to keep a feture like this in the next versions of the IM system.

considering im is the only way to have private conversations. I think it's very important to keept he ablity to comunicate in groups.

pituca just showed me how to do this the other day. i'm organizing cards now.

I use it when I need to have a private meeting amongst my employees. Its especially useful when we're already in a busy crowd, and the 4 of us need to communicate with each other privately regarding the current event.

This feature is also useful because of the 20m limitation of Say when trying to communicate to a group.

Incedentially - while I know this thread is in regards to changes to Instant Messaging, I just wanted to point out that if "Shout" was modified in such a way where we could control the distance (Such as /shout50 =50m range or /shout80 = 80m range), it would be most useful, and could help limit unintended annoyances to others.

Thanks!

I use conference IMs on a daily basis and had only had a problem with it a few updates back. As it stands right now, it functions great for me when I have a group of friends and we all want to go do things, but don't feel that other people need to hear about it. I am also able to re-add a person whose lost connection to a conference if I conference again with the folder containing the appropriate calling cards.

While it's not the best system for doing it, it is an important feature, so hopefully any changes made will still allow conferencing, but with hopefully improvements to make it easier and more efficient.

I have only used it 2 times. 1 time it was by accident when right clicking someone and it selected imediatly without choosing it. Its only usefull for me if im talking to more then 1 person, which I usually just blurt it out in the open anyway.

One thing I find limiting about im. Is when I have many windows open. At some point it cuts off the list, and leaves the rest on a pull down menu. I don't know about any one else but I would rather have multipel rows of tabs.

It would also be nice if the im typing window was longer then one row. Perferable ajustable.

And it would be usefull to have folders in the im window. So I can keep my friends, contacts, work groups, and groups visually sorted.

Ripping of an im tab into it's own im window .. would be cool.

sorry to be so ot.

I use it a bit myself to talk to some of my friends in little conferences, especially if we are chatting and aren't all in the same place. I've reorganized my calling cards recently into little folders with different friends so I can use the feature.

I use it all the time, makes for easier communication.

No I do not use it. I believe I've only used it once ever.

I have been a participant in one, and mostly its only used (atleast from my experiences) to spam advertisements or events, etc.

The friendslist/Calling Cards definitly need some streamlining and fine tuning, glad you're working/planning on this.

Yeah, I use this a lot.