Please provide (ie. add) a "Pop Up" / "Drop Down" Box, with a LIST of Users/Patrons who are WATCHING

LegacyUser

Brett said: "FamilySearch"

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Suggested Enhancement:

Provide (ie. add) a "Pop Up" / "Drop Down" Box (or the like), that includes a "List" of the "Contact Names" of ALL the Users/Patrons who are "Watching" an individual/person that a User/Patron is "Changing".

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We current see a "Message" ...



... when we are "Changing" details for an individual/person that is being "Watched".

Therefore, we know that another or other (how many, depending of the numeric value) User(s)/Patron(s) is/are "Watching" an individual/person that we are "Changing".

Can you please go one step further, with that "Message", by providing (ie. adding) a "Pop Up" / "Drop Down" Box (or the like), that includes a "List" of the "Contact Names" of ALL the Users/Patrons who are "Watching" an individual/person that we are "Changing".

And, could even please also go another step further, in regarded to the aforementioned, by providing the ability to send such Users/Patrons an individual "Message" through 'User Messaging' of "FamilySearch"; and, possibly, a single "Message" to all those Users/Patrons at the same time, if so desired.

I think that such a feature (ie. enhancement) would aide in "Collaboration" even further; especially, as it would enable us to send "Messages" to other Users/Patrons BEFORE we make such "Changes", provided that we avail ourselves of the use of such a feature. But, of course, like the old idiom ... "you can lead a horse to water; but, you can't make it drink" ... just because the feature is there does not mean that Users/Patrons will make use of it.

Personally, I do not feel that such a feature (ie. enhancement), with such a "List", that I have requested would impinge up "Privacy" concerns; but, I a certain that others may not agree.

And, I am very well aware of the, competing priorities; and, limited resources, within "FamilySearch" and "Family Tree".

So, if this feature (ie. enhancement) that I have requested, has merit, please just add it to the very long "List" of suggested enhancements that could be provided, at some time in the distant future.

Submitted for you attention and consideration.

'Thank You' in advance.

Brett

LegacyUser

Paul said: Brett

You will not be surprised to hear two things regarding your suggestion:

(1) The issue has been raised previously.

(2) The problem with introducing this feature appears to relate to privacy issues.

LegacyUser

Brett said: Paul

'Thank You' for that.

I am sure that it may have been raised previously in this Forum; but, as I could not find any such references, I will let this request stand.

Brett

LegacyUser

Tom Huber said: I agree with this idea and support it. I've often wanted to see who was monitoring the changes for a given person. When only 1 is involved, that is usually me.

As far as privacy is concerned, I don't buy into that or else anyone who makes a change to a record would be protected by the same situation.

The advantage to being able to access the identity of those that are watching is that we could then send a message to them via the FamilySearch message system asking, for instance, if they have any stories, photos, or scanned documents they would be willing to share that they don't want to post as a memory.

LegacyUser

Brett said: Tom

'Thank You'.

'Yes', I totally agree, ... 'wielding the old stick' of "Privacy" ... just does not wash in this case.

If a User/Patron wants (ie. is "willing") to "Watch"; then, they should be "willing" to be "Contactable" through 'User Messaging' of "FamilySearch" by other Users/Patrons who are (1) "Working On"; and/or, even, (2) just "Watching" the same individual/person.

I hope that this requested enhancement gets favorable consideration; despite the fact that it may just get put on the 'to-do' list.

Brett

LegacyUser

Earl Marshall said: This would certainly advance the "collaboration" objectives of Family Search

LegacyUser

joe martel said: I like it and it is on my list of requests.
The only one that worries me is the ability to message a whole bunch of users with one click. Perhaps there's a better mechanism where Users agree to be part of a group that opt-in to group email blasts (through the FS messaging system). You know there are Users out there that will use to spam all those watchers.

LegacyUser

Robert Wren said: The "GOALS" of FamilySearch Tree were: Avoiding duplicates, providing SOURCES, and promoting collaboration!

As Paul said, your "issue has been raised previously." e.g. see one year ago: https://getsatisfaction.com/familysea...

Re the privacy issue for "watchers," simply allow them an 'opt-out' if they don't want Emails. Those 'watching' should be the most willing to collaborate!!

Collaboration requires communication. It is virtually impossible to 'collaborate' with a million users, but it WOULD be easy with a couple dozen.

And, YES, a 'group email 0R FSmail' capability would greatly enhance the communication capability necessary for COLLABORATION.

Thanks for raising the issue again - sometimes it takes years to get the attention of those who CAN make changes - but they are the ones that set the goals, perhaps they should review them!!

LegacyUser

Brett said: Joe

'Thank You' for joining in on this post; and, your input.

Glad you like the requested enhancement.

Just hope that the rest of the Team in "FamilySearch" like it as well.

And, hope it gets past the oft wielded "Privacy" 'stick'.

In regard to the ability to create one "Message" for ALL those "Watching", I know it may seem a little daunting, not to mention having to Programme/Code for; but, I suggest it would save Users/Patron considerable time. Imagine having to send basically the same "Message" to a number of Users/patron who are "Watching".

Generally, we only see One (1) User/Patron "Watching"; and, that is generally yourself; but, just every now an then you find an individual/person who is being watch by another User/Patron or a number of other Users/Patrons.

'Yes', being a "Watcher" should, mean that you are, both, "Willing"; and, "Agree to", receive "Messages" through 'User Messaging' of "FamilSearch" from other Users/Patrons; and, 'Yes', if you do not, want, or, get tired of, all the "Messaging", you have the option to STOP "Watching".

Again, 'Thank You'.

Like many, I am certain, I would love that you had a place ( "Folder" ) in "Family Tree" ( "FamilySearch" ) to be able to keep "Tabs" on the ever growing list of suggested enhancements that may ( most likely ) be coming in the distant future - would save a lot of "Duplication" in already suggested enhancements.
.
Brett

LegacyUser

Brett said: Robert

I am sorry I did no see/find that post of yours when, searching the topics; and. preparing my post.

I would have simply added my suggested enhancement, as "Reply", to support your post.

'Yes', I know exactly what you mean about ... "sometimes it takes years to get the attention" ... some of my 'Support' Cases have gone on for years until finally they got past the lower levels of 'Support'; but, I have got a lot better at being 'nicely' / 'pleasantly' forceful. Well, persistent, anyway.

Brett

LegacyUser

Brett said: Joe

Hey ...

Just had a thought ...

May has already been suggested; but ...

In addition to the requested enhancement that I (and others have previously) made in this post ...

To further support the requested enhancement ...

What about an enhancement of a feature of an "Indicator" (eg. a "Button" or a "Badge or a "Marker", or

whatever you want to call it) appearing in the "Section" at the top of the "Person/Details" page/screen, with the basic details and portrait, that is "Titled" something like "Watchers", with a numeric indicator with how many Users/Patron are "Watching".

This "Indicator" feature could operate exactly along the same lines as the current "Messages" feature does now.

That is, when you select the feature a "Drop Down" appears with a list of all those who are "Watching" and with a "Show All"; and, when you select, either, a single User/Patron or the "Show All", it opens up in a new "Tab".

This "Indicator" feature is distinct and separate from "Messages"; but, obviously when you send a "Message" or "Messages" those would also appear in "Messages".

This "Indicator" feature is distinct and separate from the requested enhancement that I made initially with this post; but, this "Indicator" feature would be an adjunct to my initial requested enhancement.

I suggest that we need both.

That way, those with experience, know in advance, before they make changes, rather than while in the process of making the changes.

Food for thought.

Enjoy

Brett

LegacyUser

Paul said: Brett

I'm quite happy about the general idea of knowing who else is watching the same individuals as me, but I do disagree on a couple of the points you are making.

Firstly, the prime reason most people have a watch list is to ensure they do not miss any changes made by other patrons. As you know, many patrons (possibly including yourself) have a constant battle to keep details accurate, with some having their carefully researched information amended / deleted on a regular basis. I believe the collaboration factor is very much a secondary consideration here, so I do not agree with your comment, "if you do not, want, or, get tired of, all the "Messaging", you have the option to STOP "Watching"". We all have the right to ignore unsolicited (perhaps even rude or intrusive) messages and should not have to stop watching a relative whose record needs to be closely monitored, just because another patron is bothering you with constant messaging.

Secondly, I do not like the idea of pressing a button to send multiple messages that go to all those watching that person. I had a relative that used to send "Round Robin" messages (in the UK sense - same email to all the family) and this caused deep offence. I cannot see that the same message would be appropriate for all - there might be some "passive watchers" and others might be making regular inputs. If it is appropriate to send the same (or very similar message) to several people, compose and save a message in Word (or similar), from where it can be personalised or edited to suit the recipient.

Your general idea has a lot of merit, but do not try to expand it too much or you will stand to lose support from those who wish to see it introduced subject to certain limitations - and / or safeguards from those who might choose to make a nuisance of themselves.

LegacyUser

Chas Howell said: Maybe when you "watch" you could have the option to be visible to others or not?

LegacyUser

Chas Howell said: Agree, "the prime reason most people have a watch list is to ensure they do not miss any changes made by other patrons"

Agree, please no mass messaging to all "watching" patrons.

LegacyUser

Juli said: I agree that a list of watchers would be a good thing, but I don't think a mass messaging function needs to be part of it, and it should be possible to opt out of messages while still watching a profile.

One idea I had to keep the privacy/spam question under check is to only show the list of watchers to others who are also watching that profile. If you're not watching it, it could either stay as it is now, where you find out that one or more users are watching when you make a change, or there could be an indicator somewhere (perhaps with a number) showing that it's a watched profile.

LegacyUser

Tom Huber said: I agree with the idea of being able to see who else is watching, meaning, knowing who besides yourself is watching a given record.

I would be very much against being able to send a mass message to all the watchers, say, of Pieter Claesen, who has 24, including myself. I have collaborated with two of them and was provided with valuable information that I eventually incorporated into the record as memories (copies of out-of-copyright book pages).

At this point, I would probably not message any but those whom I have already had contact with, but if someone from the list contacted me, I would certainly respond.

Juli's suggestion to only show the list of watchers to others who are also watching the person is an excellent idea and I would be very much in favor of that as a feature.

LegacyUser

Robert Wren said: No problem, at least yours got a response from Joe. (Thanks, Joe)

LegacyUser

SueTaylor said: For my most messed-with ancestor, my contributor name (and email) shows on

(1) the disclaimer I added to the inaccurate "story" copied from Find A Grave;
(2) the Discussion entry explaining why the parents people keep adding are wrong;
(3) the Life Sketch with some capital letters;
(4) the custom fact NOT HIS PARENTS under Other Information; and
(5) every entry in the change log when I've removed the incorrect parents AGAIN.

The Discussion, Life Sketch, and Custom Fact all include a link to sound research identifying the incorrect parents' true children, and another to the Y-DNA project distinguishing the two families. I'm less concerned about being more visible than about getting contributors who add spurious wishful thinking to LOOK.

And what I saw when I checked the incorrect parents' family section made me sick: A new second marriage for the father, and a marriage and children for the infant son who died before the parents emigrated. I do a lot of volunteer cleanup, but I'm not touching that mess.

There are three watchers now. I would like to know if the other two are doing more than watching. I would also like the documentation links mentioned above to work like links, with underscores and color highlights, to encourage their use.

LegacyUser

Brett said: FamilySearch

I just thought I would 'resurrect' this post for (further) consideration, again.

Brett

LegacyUser

Brad Hurley said: I read this thread because I want a way to identify and collaborate with other researchers who are working on the same people I am. I understand the privacy/spam concerns, and I think those concerns are valid.

I think there are really two separate ideas here: watching (which is an anonymous act that allows you to be notified if somebody makes a change), and collaborating (which needs to be a non-anonymous act).

I think it makes sense to be able to message all collaborators, and I think the concern about spam can be addressed fairly easily. If someone sends an inappropriate message to the group, you can also provide a way to report the message as inappropriate. And at some threshold, people who are reported should lose the privilege of collaborating with others.

LegacyUser

Brett said: Brad

'Thank you' for the support; and, resurrecting this post of mine - for (further) consideration.

Brett

ps: We can live in hope.