About that "buddy list" feature...
 

folks-

Okay, something got me thinking about the buddy list. its not something that I ever have felt the need to use--but there it is.

What does it do? As far as I can tell, it lets a user know when certain people are also logged into the forum--byt isn't this *asynchronous* communication,? Okay, it could be useful if there was a chat functionality available--unless we assume every one uuses AIM! I have seen boards where people use threads like a chat --not pretty.

It also seems to bprovide a convenient way to send bulk PMs--now that's something every admin wants to encourage <G>.

Have I missed something--is there more functionality I haven't noticed?

Okay, so what could we do with this that might be interesting or useful?

The list must be stored in the database somewhere, so it can be gotten at at. How about displaying a persons buddy list (along with avatars?) on a user's profile page--make them links to the buddy's profile? Does that seem doable?

Can the list be used as a search parameter? --find all new posts made by anyone on my buddy list?

What do y'all think--what could be done with the buddy list?

--don

The buddylist could be great if it could link to an IM
I don't mean a pager, or the current PM messenger
I mean open up a conversation back and forth in real time.