A lot of times when I am talking to someone in a Private Message box (PM), when someone asks a question and I have to give a long answer, a lot of people think that I am ignoring them when it takes me a while to respond.

This happens a lot to me when answering questions as a moderator and when I'm having a good chat to friends

So would it be possible to have something like MSN does where there is a little notification or icon or something to alert the other person your chatting to that you are currently typing a message?

It's only small, but then the person on the other end will know that you are not ignorning them, especially if you type something, delete the whole thing, type it again then delete it again. They will be able to see that you started typing, then deleted what you said, and so on.

I like it on MSN because I know that the person im talking to is responding to a question...so it may be a nice little tool on here?

Would it be hard to implement?

this is a fantastic idea flumpy i agree

Agreed, iv always thought this on pool but i don't know if it would be so easy to introduce.

On my old laptop i used to get a star next to the persons name when they replied, however when i talk to people now it just shows a java tab grouped together if im talking to more than 1 person so i never know if they have even replied without looking.

On the subject of messaging

Is it possible to add a sound for when you recieve an offline message?...

Superb idea!

It would make life much more easier knowing the person you are chatting to is typing a message.

For example:

*joker86 is typing a message*

or put like a speech bubble with dots in?

options > alert > alert for private messages.

Isn't that what that does?

edit...

Oh wait, didn't read it properly lol, this has been mentioned before, not a bad idea

on an additional note it would be good for group pms also, can invite someone to your pm box providing both people agree.

Both are great ideas, i like them alot!

you can create a private game room and play games to do that...but i do see where that could come in handy too.

even if for my idea it was just a little icon, or something noticeable changed colour or even if it was the physical message *joker86 is unfortunately writing a message*...saves the frustration of some impaitient people.

great idea!