2

A few times I've been requested nicely by the OP to make some kind of contact outside the SE world to discuss an answer. For example: "I would like to share and discuss my solution with you, can we talk privately (email,chat,msn,fb) ? this little comment space here hurts me rly"

I've no objection to this kind of requests, but I'd like to restrict them to the SE realm.

SE-chat seems a good tool to do that, but proposing it, and arranging a meeting date/time requires a lot of (almost spamming) comments.

So: Can someone come up with practical method for doing this?

Improve this question
9
  • 1
    @Trufa I'm not requesting (and don't want to request) a "go to chat" feature!
    – Dr. belisarius
    Commented Feb 7, 2011 at 13:09
  • 1
    There is a "create a room for two users" function. Does that cover what you are requesting?
    – Pekka
    Commented Feb 7, 2011 at 13:13
  • @Pekka I'm aware of that, tnx. I'm referring to the "setup" stage. How could you arrange a meeting in the less cumbersome way.
    – Dr. belisarius
    Commented Feb 7, 2011 at 13:22
  • @belisarius (deleted my comment to avoid confusion over your actual question) my bad! the thing is, IMO if this is made by design, I don't see any other way than the spammy comments (maybe you could agree with the users to delete them once the conversation was started) but that, I think, Is what you were trying to avoid!
    – Trufa
    Commented Feb 7, 2011 at 13:25
  • @Trufa exactly. Moreover that started spinning in my mind since we had to arrange to chat, and it took us 5 comments with both of us online simultaneously :O
    – Dr. belisarius
    Commented Feb 7, 2011 at 13:29
  • @belisarius I guessed you were talking about that! It sure took it's fair share of off topic comments!
    – Trufa
    Commented Feb 7, 2011 at 13:32
  • related to meta.stackexchange.com/questions/59716/…
    – systempuntoout
    Commented Feb 7, 2011 at 13:32
  • FWIW, what you call "a 'go to chat' feature" existed briefly around the time chat was rolled out, but was disabled some time ago.
    – Pops
    Commented Feb 7, 2011 at 13:58
  • @Popular I remember that, and personally, I agree with the decision.
    – Dr. belisarius
    Commented Feb 7, 2011 at 14:06

2 Answers 2

Reset to default
2

SE-chat seems a good tool to do that, but proposing it, and arranging a meeting date/time requires a lot of (almost spamming) comments.

Proposing it can merely be an invitation. However, that would only work if both users have been in the chat at least once. And of course, one still needs to be online at (about) the same time, but that time could be discussed in the chat as well?

Chat invite in global Inbox

Improve this answer
4
  • I am not aware of the necessary condition for receiving that message. You mean "Online in chat" or just "Active on SE"
    – Dr. belisarius
    Commented Feb 7, 2011 at 15:13
  • @belisarius For this invite to work, both the users should have visited chat atleast once,
    – Sathyajith Bhat
    Commented Feb 7, 2011 at 15:15
  • Ah, I got busted here, not knowing that. Thanks, @Sathya!
    – Arjan
    Commented Feb 7, 2011 at 15:18
  • welcome @Arjan I learnt this the hard way!
    – Sathyajith Bhat
    Commented Feb 7, 2011 at 15:23
1

If the OP more questions after attempting to implement a solution, then it seems like posting a new question is the best route.

I agree, comments are not the best place to carry-on this conversation. But chat isn't really any better because the explanations are lost and are only see by you and the OP. It would be better to have the further explanation in an updated answer or a new question and answer because others can make use of it and possibly provide alternate solutions.

In the exception cases that a chat is truly the best route: I would suggest that you just leave a single comment that you have created a room and in the room you can communicate back and forth about when to meet there in case you are not there at the same time.

Improve this answer
7
  • I disagree IMO if the Go to chat was made by design a simple link could make the conversation available for everyone.
    – Trufa
    Commented Feb 7, 2011 at 13:05
  • @jzd +1, because your answer is correct 99% of the time. That is why I'm not asking for a "goto chat" feature. I'm just trying to come up with a way to catch exceptions :)
    – Dr. belisarius
    Commented Feb 7, 2011 at 13:16
  • @belisarius, what about providing your email, just to use to arrange an SO chat? Or create a room and just leave a single comment with a time that you will be there.
    – jzd
    Commented Feb 7, 2011 at 13:21
  • @jzd That second option (creating a room and leaving only one comment) seems almost right. However there is the Two Generals' Problem on the practical side
    – Dr. belisarius
    Commented Feb 7, 2011 at 13:33
  • @belisarius, true. However, I guess you can just leave a comment that you have created a room and in the room you can communicate back and forth about when to meet there in case you are not there at the same time.
    – jzd
    Commented Feb 7, 2011 at 13:41
  • @jzd Seems the way right now. Let's see if someone can devise something better.
    – Dr. belisarius
    Commented Feb 7, 2011 at 13:53
  • A new question and an edit to the old one to link to the new one for related subject matter?
    – jcolebrand
    Commented Feb 7, 2011 at 14:48

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .