Combining screennames?

SxyMiatch · Post by **SxyMiatch** » Tue Jan 18, 2005 12:54 am

Is there a way I can create a SINGLE "alias" for a person who has MSN, Yahoo, AND AIM and that single alias will show up online if they are online for any or all of the messengers?

Somethingiateforlunch · Tue Jan 18, 2005 1:02 am

SxyMiatch wrote:Is there a way I can create a SINGLE "alias" for a person who has MSN, Yahoo, AND AIM and that single alias will show up online if they are online for any or all of the messengers?

Search the forums for META-CONTACTS. there you will find the answer to your inquiry. Remember to always Search for a topic before you post a question.

Edit:

twistmac wrote:click option and drang one of the names onto the other

Catfish_Man wrote:The other way is to add people's screennames to the address book. If they have more than one, and importing from the address book is on (it is by default) it will make a metacontact.

zaudragon · Post by **zaudragon** » Tue Jan 18, 2005 2:59 am

Metacontacts are always confusing, and searches don't always turn up results because everyone explains it differently!

Post by **bgannin** » Tue Jan 18, 2005 3:24 am

How are they [metacontacts] confusing? Be specific and do not reference threads as these use assumptions such as how others expected it to work or wanted it to look or correct/incorrect attempts at providing help. Instead of hyperbole list supporting facts to address the issue in hopes of future resolution.

Somethingiateforlunch · Tue Jan 18, 2005 3:46 am

bgannin wrote:How are they [metacontacts] confusing? Be specific and do not reference threads as these use assumptions such as how others expected it to work or wanted it to look or correct/incorrect attempts at providing help. Instead of hyperbole list supporting facts to address the issue in hopes of future resolution.

check

the edit should help better

zaudragon · Post by **zaudragon** » Tue Jan 18, 2005 3:53 am

They're confusing because it's not documented in the help menu…

Post by **bgannin** » Tue Jan 18, 2005 4:02 am

Well the lack of documentation is a known, and being worked on, issue. If there is no functional issue then they are not confusing, they are simply undocumented.

Somethingiateforlunch · Tue Jan 18, 2005 4:06 am

i didnt mean for my post to be.... insulting, or not nice.. just wanted to spread the message of 'search before you post'.. but, after thinking about it, it is understandable that one would know what a meta-contact is without knowing its name

Post by **bgannin** » Tue Jan 18, 2005 4:11 am

True... however, combine and contact would likely turn up a thread or three

Post by **Catfish_Man** » Tue Jan 18, 2005 6:14 am

Well, we were talking about this on IRC, and I felt that the current situation (option-drag) is less than ideal. It's an interface mode that's completely hidden unless you know what it is. As a possible alternative, I was looking at the Finder's handling of folders in the sidebar. Without any modes, you can drop something in the folder, or in between folders. Opinions on this?

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Jan 18, 2005 6:28 am

Catfish_Man wrote:Well, we were talking about this on IRC, and I felt that the current situation (option-drag) is less than ideal. It's an interface mode that's completely hidden unless you know what it is. As a possible alternative, I was looking at the Finder's handling of folders in the sidebar. Without any modes, you can drop something in the folder, or in between folders. Opinions on this?

do you think the documentation that will be made available next update, will solve this problem?

and are you suggesting a drag and drop system, with perhaps a confirmation window that pops up?

Post by **Catfish_Man** » Tue Jan 18, 2005 6:33 am

SuperJeremy3000 wrote:
Catfish_Man wrote:Well, we were talking about this on IRC, and I felt that the current situation (option-drag) is less than ideal. It's an interface mode that's completely hidden unless you know what it is. As a possible alternative, I was looking at the Finder's handling of folders in the sidebar. Without any modes, you can drop something in the folder, or in between folders. Opinions on this?
do you think the documentation that will be made available next update, will solve this problem?

and are you suggesting a drag and drop system, with perhaps a confirmation window that pops up?

There already is a drag and drop system

It's accessed by holding down option. I'm suggesting a possible improvement to it. Documentation is nice, but it's a workaround; intuitive design is better (not saying my design is better, just good design in general).

Post by **bgannin** » Tue Jan 18, 2005 6:40 am

I can't say I agree with the Finder metaphor... the reason a modifier is there to put it in this mode is to avoid accidental metacontact creation and the Finder solution wouldn't be best - if a user is slow, has a broken arm or carpal tunnel, pauses, or misses in their drop they could create a MC when they only meant to re-order their list. The Option key allows us to know explicitly that the user intended to make a MC.

Post by **The_Tick** » Tue Jan 18, 2005 6:24 pm

A confirm dialogue would work though. How often do people really make meta contacts?

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Jan 18, 2005 6:42 pm

The_Tick wrote:A confirm dialogue would work though. How often do people really make meta contacts?

i agree, but without the option button being used, do you think alot of people might accidentally drag and drop without meaning to? i mean, personally, i dont see that as being a problem, but im cant speak for everybody

Post by **The_Tick** » Tue Jan 18, 2005 6:47 pm

SuperJeremy3000 wrote:
The_Tick wrote:A confirm dialogue would work though. How often do people really make meta contacts?
i agree, but without the option button being used, do you think alot of people might accidentally drag and drop without meaning to? i mean, personally, i dont see that as being a problem, but im cant speak for everybody

That's why you use the dialogue..

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Jan 18, 2005 6:57 pm

The_Tick wrote:
SuperJeremy3000 wrote:
The_Tick wrote:A confirm dialogue would work though. How often do people really make meta contacts?
i agree, but without the option button being used, do you think alot of people might accidentally drag and drop without meaning to? i mean, personally, i dont see that as being a problem, but im cant speak for everybody

That's why you use the dialogue..

right right right

but, i dont know how other people operate they're computers! some people might have sloppy mouse manuvers or something.. i think ive heard the argument im trying to make before.. but if it is not applicable then whateva is whateva

i like the confermation window idea

Post by **evands** » Tue Jan 18, 2005 7:20 pm

Dragging to reorder is really annoying if you have to be careful about not creating a metacontact, though...

Post by **The_Tick** » Tue Jan 18, 2005 7:25 pm

evands wrote:Dragging to reorder is really annoying if you have to be careful about not creating a metacontact, though...

Ya, this whole thing sucks regarding meta contacts.

Maybe if we had some way to manage meta's externally, like the old contact list editor?

jfw · Post by **jfw** » Fri Jan 28, 2005 7:45 pm

What about making it so when you get info on a contact, you can then drag another contact name into the account list? Logical, and unlikely to be done by accident.

i agree dragging in the contact list to merge contacts is asking for trouble, esp. since there is no undo.

cocoaforge

Combining screennames?

Combining screennames?

Re: Combining screennames?