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OK kind people – here’s the scoop!
I’ve currently enabled a new Google Friend Connect & Chat Feature for invitees only to test.
If all goes well and it works for what we want, then I’ll open it up to all. At the moment, only Amy & Annie are pre-enabled. If you also would like to get into this private test, just reply to this post and I’ll add you!
INSTRUCTIONS
Once you are enabled, you should see a pale blue bar at the very bottom of any FORUM page.
1. Click the bottom left to sign-in/join this site:
(see “join-friend-connect.gif” below)
You can use a Google account, Yahoo a/c, AIM a/c, Netlog a/c or OpenID a/c to login.
2. Once you are logged in you’ll see your details at bottom left:
(see “signed-in-friend-connect.gif” below)
3. Now you can comment directly on any forum page (somewhat redundant since it is a forum after all) using the comments feature (see “comments.gif” below)
4. More importantly, clicking either the “Comments >>” or the “Members >>” links will reveal a small purple outlined “box” (see “click-to-chat.gif” and red arrow below. This icon is made by Google, why it is so unintuitive I have no idea!). When you click it will take you to a page where you can chat directly with others online!
What else can you do?* “Friend” people (similar to other social networking sites).
* You will see your “Friends” on other sites you visit that also use Google Friend Connect.
* If you click on someone’s Profile (name or photo), then it will reveal a box showing info they have entered into their Google/Yahoo/AIM etc profiles.
* To get the best out of this, I’d suggest you make sure your Google etc profile does include your yoga-related interests.Gabrielle & I are already there, so feel free to test it out with us of course.
Next Steps
I thought this would be a useful tool to test – of course ideally we’d just use features already built into this forum, but I’m waiting on a couple of developers who are testing “social addons” and also a new version of the forum due later this year. In addition to that, I’m working on adding functionality my self, so we’ll keep trying things until they work as we’d like them to!
Any feedback – please leave it here.
Want to be a part of the test and network with others? Just reply to this thread and tell me “I’m in”!
Thanks,
Robert
OK folks – like to try the new chat trial? I think this one is a bit funkier as you can have it open in a separate window AND use your Hot Yoga Doctor username/password!
So …
Instructions
1. Scroll all the way down to the bottom of the page and just below “Active Members” (this is who is logged in and online right now by the way) you’ll see a new button: (don’t click this one here haha – it’s just a screen capture to show you … keep scrolling down … it’s below the last part of the forum)
2. Click the button. A new window will open with the chat inside it. You’ll have to login using your Hot Yoga Doctor credentials and it will take you straight into a default chat room. If anyone else is logged into the chat room, you’ll see them and can chat publicly or privately.
Tips:
* Type in the text box to introduce yourself!
* Click on the other person(s) name for a chat options menu
* Click on your the square box to the left of your name (on top of the list of people in the room) to change your status (available/busy etc)
* Listen out for notification sounds when someone else enters the room!
If it works well for us, I’ll open it up to all registered members (and will have to purchase the software)
Love your feedback as always!
Robert
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