What *should* AIM / chat programs be able to do?

[KevinMU1]

What sort of things should be included in a chat client / service that aren't right now? What would you like AIM to be able to do that it can't?

 

[Rallispec]

the only thing i can think of that would be nice in a chat program that i've never seen before would be possibly being able incorperate some html into the messaging.

like in aim-- i would love to be able to just insert an image tag referenced to a picture hosted somewhere else in my messages-- instead of using the stupid direct connect option for cutting and pasting pictures to insert them into your message.

does that makes sense to anybody?

 

[samgau]

Reach out and punch somebody in the face when they swear at you....

transfer files larger than 2 Mb.... or is there a hack for it...

 

[b0mbrman]

I'd be fine w/them just holding a buddy list and letting me talk...I never asked for more than that

 

[StageLeft]

Good idea rallispec. I can't really think of much else.

My ideal prog is basically MSN messenger with a built in history and guaranteed message sends - MSN loses messages all the time, but ICQ never ever does. Unlike ICQ, however, MSN is not bloated and ridiculous in size and never-used features.

 

[iamme]

<< Unlike ICQ, however, MSN is not bloated and ridiculous in size and never-used features. >>



An MS product not bloated.....I think we're jinxing it

 

[KevinMU1]

Rallispec--I like the idea of tags, although AIM already uses HTML I think for it's messages, it just doesn't let you directly edit it. I can very much see the use for an image tag though, that is a good idea.

samgua--what service has a 2 MB limit?

b0mbrman and Skoorb--you 2 like simplicity, very understandable. What I don't get is how MSN can LOSE messages, that's just unacceptable. I hadn't heard about that.

How about this? You know how ICQ supports offline messaging? Well, what if those messages were sent in digest format to your email address, such that you could still get messages off of the service even when you couldn't log in to it... or what about getting messages sent to your cellphone email address? That seems like something that could be useful, especially for business people. What does anyone else think about that one?

 

[aphex]

I would like to see a file transfer protocol that *gasp* actually works between most people

 

[gopunk]

i would like to see a client that works between all major services. and i'd like to get an embarrassed and shocked emoticon incorporated

 

[yakko]

The only option I think that should be added to AIM is tabbed IM windows.

 

[aphex]

<< The only option I think that should be added to AIM is tabbed IM windows. >>



See for me, i personally wouldnt like that... I like having each window seperately down at the bottom, so i can keep easy tabs on who im talking to (and who just responded)... It'd be a good option for many though...

 

[Geekbabe]

a bigger selection of emoticons on aim would be nice

 

[ggavinmoss]

<< I would like to see a file transfer protocol that *gasp* actually works between most people >>



I think you're asking a bit much.

I'd like a program that has a better scheme for managing buddies (maybe cross-referencing with an addressbook or something for more detailed information).

-geoff

 

[KevinMU1]

aphexII -- how non-functional is file transfer, in your opinion?

yakko -- tabbed windows is an interesting idea. I like it.

ggavinmoss -- Cross-referencing an address book might be difficult, but it's still an interesting idea. Perhaps you coud send your address book to a central server and it would return buddy names for any registered email addresses? Or were you thinking even bigger than that??

The reason I ask is b/c, as some of you may remember, I was telling AT members about the new BitWise chat that my friend and I have written. It's come a long way, and, in fact, the offline message emailing is something we have implemented. The reason for this thread is to determine what killer features are missing from existing services, because without anything truly new, there is little reason for anyone to switch. So I'm polling for the gaps.

In any event, feel free to check it out at http://www.bitwisechat.com. Messaging, file transfer, storing away messages, invisibility, chat preferences and many other things are already implemented. Plus it's small, about 300k, and has a really small memory footprint. And it runs as a stand-alone program, I use it in the labs here at school with no install!

 

[yakko]

<<

<< The only option I think that should be added to AIM is tabbed IM windows. >>



See for me, i personally wouldnt like that... I like having each window seperately down at the bottom, so i can keep easy tabs on who im talking to (and who just responded)... It'd be a good option for many though... >>

The one add on program I saw kept them tabbed and gave a visual indicator on each tab of who had responded. Unfortunately the rest of the add on was crap and kept crashing.

 

[aphex]

<< aphexII -- how non-functional is file transfer, in your opinion? >>



Its very sporatic who it wants to work with. Most of the people i want to send files to are on the same cable modem provider in the same city, Cox Express in Gainesville, FL. With some people i can easily get a connection, with others i cant... Even if you take firewalls and routers out of the equation, it just wont work with some people. Meanwhile it works with some of my friends up in NJ and not others, so i know distance isnt the problem. Id like to see a file-transfer similar to a DCC File Transfer in mIRC, which ive never had ANY problems sending files back and forth to the same people that AIM wouldnt work with. Does that make any sence? Hope so...

 

[NikPreviousAcct]

Anything that I tell them to do.

nik

 

[aphex]

<< Anything that I tell them to do.

nik >>



Sorta like your women? j/k

 

[Mookow]

I would like offline messaging and, as mentioned, file transfers that work with everybody (anyone with a firewall is pretty much fscked with AIM).

 

[aphex]

<< I would like offline messaging and, as mentioned, file transfers that work with everybody (anyone with a firewall is pretty much fscked with AIM). >>



Well you sorta can do offline messaging with AIM. If you start up a direct connection to send images or whatnot, just sign off line. You can keep chatting and not be on AIM

 

[KevinMU1]

Well, it seems if you can direct connect you should be able to send a file, at least that's how ours is working so far.

aphexII - if you're direct connected that's not really offline messaging. I mean where you can send a message to someone who is not and has not been online, such that it will be delivered when they come back online. That is something we support, b/c it's something that I really missed from ICQ.

I still really like the tabs idea, that's really neat.

 

[CStroman]

I want to be able to leave messages for people who are offline that they will recieve when they come online. That's good for people who don't check their e-mail.

 

[geno]

<< a bigger selection of emoticons on aim would be nice >>



or even custom smilies, like if you can make your own little face and somehow add it to the dropdown box so you make your own expressions

 

[KevinMU1]

CStroman--the messages are always received when coming back online, and a user has the OPTION of having any offline messages forwarded to them via email.

genocide--Custum smilies is interesting, but it would require sending the image files to your buddies. It's a neat idea though.

 

[Legendary]

I'd some like some way to express sarcasm over any IM service...some people just don't get it.