[Pidgin] #562: case for old icons: Advantagous heuristics of differentiated protocol icons

[Pidgin]

#562: case for old icons: Advantagous heuristics of differentiated protocol icons
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 Reporter:  Ash             |       Type:  defect
   Status:  new             |   Priority:  minor 
Component:  pidgin (gtk)    |    Version:  2.0   
 Keywords:  icons protocol  |    Pending:  0     
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 I see the protocol icons have been removed for simplification, and there
 is a very emotional response to any crit of this. I see the overall goal
 of network transparency, but my opinion it is not worth it for the cost of
 functionally debilitating opaqueness.

 There are a number of distinguishing aspects of the protocols, both in
 functionality and application which make it desirable to easily know what
 the protocols are. At a glance of the old GAIM I was able to infer many
 things about my contacts.

 FUNCTIONALLY
 Which protocols can be sent online/offline msgs. The retort to this was
 not many people use the different protocols. I contend this in untrue, I
 use it all the time - its quite natural. Forcing me into a behavior and
 robbing me of "at a glance" functionality so the developers have feel
 satisfied with some macroscopic goal of protocol invisibility have
 impaired me. Dont underestimate the power of conveying information "at a
 glance"  - a glance is all many people care to spare.

 APPLICATION
 I'll keep this short, there are many examples I'm sure you can find think
 up yourself. I have workmates who have different protocol accounts, one
 for work and one for personal - I have the same. Again, at a glance I can
 tell if which one is his personal account, avoiding them the embarrassment
 of having one of my casual msgs popping up when they boot up while sitting
 with co-workers. Another friend of mine only uses ICQ at home, and again -
 "at a glance" I am able to tell whether they have gotten home yet. The
 improved accuracy of whom it is cannot be under estimated either, I've
 already had the embarrassing situation of IMing "the wrong Neil" a
 personal msg.

 The hiding of the protocols has had the exact, and expected result: It's
 made it difficult to infer and plan according to the different aspects of
 the protocols both functionally and in the way they have been adopted by
 my buddies. I strongly suggest you "theme" the icons, such that we have a
 choice.

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Ticket URL: <http://developer.pidgin.im/ticket/562>
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