[Pidgin] #1516: Buddy details when possible

[Pidgin]

#1516: Buddy details when possible
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  Reporter:  mshancock     |       Owner:        
      Type:  enhancement   |      Status:  closed
  Priority:  minor         |   Milestone:        
 Component:  pidgin (gtk)  |     Version:  2.0.1 
Resolution:  wontfix       |    Keywords:        
   Pending:  0             |  
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Comment (by mshancock):

 I was quite annoyed when I saw this response, and so have waited a few
 days to reply. I think maybe a quote from an essay describing how to deal
 with preference requests (linked from your '''Design Guidelines''' page)
 would be worth reminding you of:
   Ask questions to find out what's really bugging someone who requests a
 preference. What is the annoyance or inefficiency that prompted them to
 ask?

 I realize this problem is quite complicated (and many researchers have
 talked about it without successfully getting their point across) and I am
 resigned to the fact that it is unlikely I will be able to convince this
 community, but I think it might be solvable in Pidgin with a little
 effort. Currently, I have to adjust my settings on a regular basis to have
 it display the information that I want. Since it is (for me) a peripheral
 display of information, having to switch my attention to it so frequently
 is a problem (read: it ''is'' too much). The reason there is a problem
 here is because there are two conflicting needs:
  * the need for an overview of the status of each buddy
  * the need for detailed information (e.g. pictures, personal messages,
 etc.)
 I make the buddy list window as long as I can so that I can display
 details when not too many buddies are online, but as soon as the ''n''th
 buddy logs on, I lose this overview and am forced to attend to the
 application and alter the settings (with no less than 3 clicks) -- pretty
 annoying!

 As an aside, I found the pomposity of the response to this ticket
 unnecessary. It also seems a bit silly to fear inconsistency, especially
 when the inconsistency is precisely what provides information. Clearly it
 would be a bad idea to have buddy icons appear ''always'' online or
 ''always'' away.

 I understand that this may be difficult to fix, but feel that the ticket
 deserves to be reopened.

-- 
Ticket URL: <http://developer.pidgin.im/ticket/1516#comment:2>
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