U2U Message Alert Ineffective?

I have sent a U2U message to someone who has not opened it for some time (the message remains highlighted in my out-box) even though I know he or she has been online.

The thought occurred to me that this may not necessarily be by design.

I say this because I think the white envelope icon indicating a new message may be overlooked because it could simply blend in with the "ATS" and "change the site style to a light theme" icons:



Is anyone else having this problem?

originally posted by: Mary Rose
white envelope icon indicating a new message

I had no idea that's what it was for. Thanks!

Yes, I often overlook the highlighted envelope icon. It just isn't noticeable enough IMO.

a reply to: Mary Rose

I'm of two minds on this. I like that the white envelope isn't intrusive, yammering at me to CHECK YOUR MESSAGES. But, for the same reason, rarely even click on it. I've gotten a couple of U2Us before and didn't even realize it until days or even weeks later. And, on the subject of actually sending U2Us, there have been a couple of times when I *think* I've replied to someone... but I'm not really sure if I actually did or not! Some sort of "message sent" confirmation would be nice too.

I agree - it doesn't stand out enough. When I do notice it, I usually have several messages over a period of time.

a reply to: NarcolepticBuddha

Pfft!

Thought you were just rude ...

a reply to: Timely

Well I saw the twitter bird, and the fb logo, and the youtube thingy. After that I figured the rest of the icons were useless.

That's why I never knew about the site search function and inbox indicator

HAHAHAHA

I just assumed everything in that line of icons was useless crap because of the Twitter and Facebook logos.

I just looked up and saw Twitter/Facebook and that was the end of my investigation into the icons.

the white envelope is a big, bright, white spot that hits me in the face every time it is "lit up".

Individual experience may vary.

I remember the days when there was a RED color alert for U2Us. Those certainly stood out.

Unfortunately, I also developed a complex about them. Heart would skip a beat. Never knew if it was a "WARN" or something nicer.



Speaking of which, do warns even exist anymore?

If people will put on their way-back-machine goggles, some will recall that the reason we have a simple icon is because of the complaints over the more obtrusive U2U pop-up.

Maybe we'll do something like this:

a reply to: SkepticOverlord

I like it! It's very subtle and not obtrusive in the least.

a reply to: SkepticOverlord

Could the icon be flashing?

And if it could, do you think many would complain about that, too?

a reply to: Mary Rose

Please, nothing flashing.

I think the current method is the best I've seen in all my years on this board.

a reply to: SkepticOverlord

I hope that is a joke.

originally posted by: loam
a reply to: Mary Rose
Please, nothing flashing.

I hear you.

A flashing cursor drives me crazy in Word.

I was thinking that it might work for this situation but probably not.

a reply to: SkepticOverlord

Blatant attention seeking has failed in these parts before Obiwan !

It does do just that though !