Changing user icons

[Vladimir Kraljevic]

I found this:

"As has been stated in numerous places (which you undoubtedly
neglected to research or read), protocol icons could be reinstated by
a plugin. We are not going to write such a plugin, but you may."

& also there: http://developer.pidgin.im/ticket/1863#comment:12

ps. Btw., contacts ARE arranged in groups (according to protocol), so
while the suggested change might look better, what's the practical
side to it?

pps. The change from Gaim to Pidgin was quite unfortunate, I agree :)


2009/1/18 Jim Fenstemacher <s0cman7 at gmail.com>:
> Let me preface this by saying that I have read Sean Egan's post on Identity
> as well as two tickets here and here.
>
> I understand the reason for using the "green dots" rather than the im
> protocol icons (Gaim-style icons) is that the developers wish for the end
> users to be recognized as a single person rather than multiple people on
> multiple networks.  And that they wish screen names to be associated with a
> person rather than a network.  I get that and I can completely understand
> that most people would prefer that, as it simplifies the information that is
> presented to the user.  Also, I have implemented the option to show the
> protocol icons as secondary icons.
>
> With respect to all of this I still would like to have the option to use the
> protocol icons instead of the "green dot", the way Gaim looked.  I have a
> few reasons for this:
>
> Icon simplicity:  Current there are two icons displayed for each user, one
> to show their status and one to show their protocol.  This could be
> simplified into one icon showing both, they way Gaim showed worked.
> Aesthetics (for some):  I prefer the way Gaim looked simply because I liked
> it.  I do not have a specific reason other than personal preference.  I know
> that other people prefer the way pidgin currently looks, but that again is a
> personal preference.  You can look at this another way, some people think
> that Picasso's painting of Three Musicians is a beautiful master piece and
> that it cannot be improved on.  While others do not understand it and
> believe that a 3-year old child could have painted it.  It is simple a
> matter of personal preference.
> Open source:  This is open source software and as such is a collaborative
> project.  It requires input from all parties to develop the best software
> that the community can.  Simply ignoring part of that community and
> rejecting their ideas alienates part of the community.  This is not the xxx
> behind an open source project.
> Appease a small group:  Again, I understand that this would only be helpful
> for a small group of users, but that was part of the idea behind the "green
> dot".  While reading one of the tickets a developer mentioned that the
> "green dot" was implemented so that it would be easier for color blind
> people to use.  This is a very small amount of the population (even though 2
> of the developers are color blind).  So part of the reason the "green dot"
> was implemented was to appease a small group of users.  I think the
> implementing Gaim-style icons would appease an equally small group of users.
> What the developers believe:  The Gaim-style icons are no longer used
> because the developers do not believe people should use their program that
> way.  I believe that end users should be able to use programs the way they
> see fit.  This is a belief and I think the developers should
> respecteveryone's beliefs.  They should not try to impose their beliefs on
> others (as with religion, political views, morals, etc.), but rather give
> the end user the option to use the program the way they believe it should be
> used.
>
> Again, I completely understand why the "green dot" is used as opposed to
> Gaim-style icons.  I am simply asking the the end user be given the option
> to use the icons they wish, no matter what their reason.  I hope I have not
> been too long winded, I am simply voicing my opinion in the hopes that I can
> improve the program.  If I knew anything about programming I would probably
> take the time to modify is myself, but unfortunately I do not.
>
> Thank you for taking the time to read this and hopefully you consider my
> opinion.
>
> Respectfully,
> Devo
>
>
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