Vote on Listener status icons
Hello everyone! SnugglyNarwhal at your service. :)
I'm poking my head out from behind the scenes to ask for your input. I'm working on moving the options for Listener status (online, busy, and offline) to above the chat window, and I'd really like your input on what icons to use!
Currently, we have 3 dots in different colors, but those can be difficult to see for some people. I've come up with a few ideas to make the icons very easy to see, and would love your opinion on which ones to use!
For the placement of the new icons, I have a quick mock-up here: https://imgur.com/wpKEA0s
The status icons would be visible right above your chat list window.
I have a Google survey link here --> https://goo.gl/forms/G8VyxiYeUldz7iKU2
Please help me out and vote for your favorite icons!
Hey @SnugglyNarwhal! I hope you're good! 
I really love this new idea, it'll make it easier for both listeners and guest/members. 
Thank you for the suggestions!
PS: I voted! 
Hi Christina!
It's great to see you poking your head out from behind the scenes! You would be very welcome to do it more
Listener status indicators are almost a non-problem, however, in my opinion. It would be much more useful for you to spend your time getting rid of the spam in our forums. It's not hard to get rid of the spam, and it would add much more value to 7 Cups than messing with some icons.
If you really can't help yourself going after the listener status system, at least target the real problem with the system. The real problem is that it somehow gives members the impression that listeners are available to chat when we're logged in but not "status: online".
For example, I've logged in for just a few minutes to reply to your post. My status is "offline". But it's quite likely some members or guests I've never heard from before will try to start a chat. If I'm actually logged out this almost never happens. If I'm logged in but "offline" it often happens within a few minutes of logging in. I don't know what causes this, so it will be a big challenge to debug.
The only problem with the status indicator that I'm aware of is that it doesn't work for people who are colour-blind. My solution for this (posted in a forum a couple of years ago now) was simply to increase the colour contrast and change the position depending on the status. This is a simple CSS fix. (The screen shot dates from before the icon shapes changed, obviously.) You can see this works in monochrome:
The important thing to note is that how I see my own status is not very important. How other people see my status is what's important.
Another problem with the status system is that Busy is almost meaningless, as it means almost the same as Offline in reality. Maybe now is the time to reconsider whether three status levels are actually useful.
I don't have strong opinions on how you design the status icons. But it might be a good idea not to use the same FontAwesome check mark that denotes a verified listener, or anything that looks like it might be a warning triangle, or a danger sign. Ideally, it should be culture-neutral. And whatever system you decide on, the same system has to be used in all the many places throughout the website and the app where the status is shown.
@SnugglyNarwhal
@RarelyCharlie I actually do find the busy status to be useful, if certain positions are using it. It can be helpful if there's a mod around who's not free to take a chat, but can pop over into a room, if I have a quick question about a project, etc. It helps to see who is around that day vs. someone who might not be on for a few days.
I agree that's not the vast majority of members who need that, but at least it is useful
@AffyAvo I use busy to mean 'I'm around so pm me for modding etc, but I'm not available for 1-1 support chats'. I think that's the general meaning for most people.
Ah yes, that makes sense. So maybe it would be good to encourage that use of "busy". I often find myself chatting to other listeners when we're both "offline" but I can see it would make more sense to be "busy" while doing that kind of thing.
@AffyAvo
@RarelyCharlie I fully agree with what you've said.
@RarelyCharlie
Thoughtful response, as always.
I have also noticed if i log on then i get messages even if i am offline. For this reason i haven't even used my online or busy statuses in ages for the inability to manage the already incoming messages.
I think someone once informed me that taking any action on the site pushes you to the beginning of the browse listeners list, but i haven't verified this.
@MonBon I have the same issue, I'm ussually bombarded with pms that I sadly can't take even when my status is set as offline. That seems to be indeed a bigger problem right now! @RarelyCharlie loved your feedback
I dont think the shape of the icons should change. I think instead we should change the location it is in when differet status is on
At first I thought the same, but then I thought about people who may have color blindness. Having the different shapes would make the site more accessible, which is awesome!
@BurningEmber
@Alice
If has to be shapes make them friendly then :D
@BurningEmber
I like the ones that have been suggested, since they hint at online/busy/offline visually, without needing any sort of reference or background knowledge.
@Alice and @BurningEmber
I agree. I dislike the "big" red X for offline though. While clear, it does not seem very 'friendly.' Maybe a red octagon? Though I do not know how universal that is. Or red hexagon or square? Ideas.....
@cyanPlatypus6370
Ah, a red hexagon or square would work well! Sort of like a stop sign. It gets around the negative connotations that might come with the X.
@Alice - Yes, thank you, that is what I was hoping for (out of the negative connotation of shapeness - hehe)
I voted
I like the idea to move the status icons to above chat window. it would make it clearer to those newer in community as newer listeners often don't know and recieve a lot of personal request and can feel overwhelmed quite quickly by this, before they realise how to change status!
Is always good to see our 'behind the scenes team' communicating with the community, so thank you for sharing and asking for our input!
@SnugglyNarwhal
While I understand we have big things that need to be worked on as well, I think small things like this matter too. Making something easier or more helpful for anyone whether being due to bad eyesight or someone who doesn't understand something as easily as others is a good thing in my book. I voted, and I can't wait to see the outcome!
@SnugglyNarwhal it's a great thing , thanks, I've filled the survey, as for the placement of icons i think the idea is good, definetly should change it to that
@SnugglyNarwhal
What about making a frame or background with the color behind the name and dp in the chat menu?
Also, when you visit a profile, you can see some kind of small circle around the dp. But the circle is really small. I would say the circle could be bigger so it would be visible if the listener is online/busy/offline.
@SnugglyNarwhal
VOTED
@SnugglyNarwhal
Would the words be included with the status, or just the symbol? Ii understand the use of symbols to assist color blind people, but the symbol would still need to be intuitive to users, and I'm not sure the singular options provided are.
@SnugglyNarwhal
Voted.