Ingame messenger - t2a accurate

[crabjuice]

As I was looking through the patches I noticed that there was an ingame messenger.

I would like to propose the idea of having an ingame messenger, maybe not exact replica as that may be pretty hard to do, but something comparable.

Here are the patch notes:

UO Live Access Patch (Aug. 26) Nov 16 1999 5:01PM CST

Ultima Messenger FAQ
How do I access my messages?
* Open your paperdoll. Double left-click the Messenger Bag located at the top of your Paperdoll. This will bring up the Ultima Messenger.

How do I give someone my address?
* Open your paperdoll. Drag the Messenger Bag from the top of your Paperdoll on to the person you wish to exchange mail with. This will send them a greeting card and add you to their address book. Remember, they must do the same to you if you want to send them a message.

How do I stop someone from sending messages to me?
* There are two ways to stop someone from messaging you. Either highlight a message the person has sent you or open up your address book and highlight that person's address. Then click the "Revoke Address" button at the bottom of the Ultima Messenger window (an icon with a Person and an "X").

http://web.archive.org/web/200003032043 ... gn_25.html

[Faust]

aye, I rememer this feature. However, I don't completely recall the entire structure of it involving the exact gumps. I don't think a lot of people really used it much. I know that I never used it even once.

[Derrick]

I voted yes on this. I do remember the feature and if we had it coded exactly correct I'd love to have it.

However, there are many many other things that I would consider more important that this feature at this time such as better and more account management.

[Ronk]

I vaguely remember it. It was an actual chat gump that popped up, like a chat room. I think you had to physically have it up to send any kind of messages and, at least for me and the bloodrock, none of us used it. We used irc and icq.

[crabjuice]

It definitely would be nice, easy communication would definitely enhance gameplay and the community. One small example, is if you see a trade forum post you could just message the person if they are "online" ingame oppose to sending them an email and trying to coordinate through email.

[Kaivan]

Ahh yes, the messaging service. From what I recall, the actual UO client was updated at that time to add functionality for the button (and the button itself) to access the Messaging service. The button resided at the very top of your paperdoll, directly above your character's head. I also recall that it was removed not too far into UOR, as the many messages that people received were in the form of the 1999 Valentine's Day messages which were a result of a sent message became rares after the removal of the system itself. I also know that the button for accessing the messaging service was removed in late UOR when the introduction of the virtue system began and replaced with a button for accessing that system.

Given that the window of client functionality for using the messaging service is not accessible to us for use (Minimum require patch for playing is 4.0.0.a), if we do implement the system, we will have to add some other form of functionality to do so.

Beyond the difficulties of having such a system, I personally vote yes as long as it is not too much work to do.

[alatar]

Sounds good.. I never used this system personally but UOSA needs another form of communication for the economy..

[DrFaustus]

Yes

[BlackFoot]

ummmmmm communication crystals anyone!!!?!

[Derrick]

Here's the details:

Code: Select all

ULTIMA MESSENGER
AUGUST 19, 1999

ABOUT ULTIMA MESSENGER
=================================================================
This file contains information on how to use Ultima Messenger.  The 
Ultima Messenger system is an in-game messaging system, similar to
electronic mail (e-mail).  This system was designed to make it easier
to communicate with friends who are either currently in the game, or
to leave messages for those friends out of the game.   Please note 
that Ultima Messenger is not intended to be a fully functional e-mail 
client.  At present, you will only be able to send messages within the Ultima 
Messenger system. 

MAILBAG
=================================================================
On your character window, a mailbag icon is located above the 
"paperdoll" representation of your character.  This mailbag will 
allow you to access the functionality of Ultima Messenger in the 
following ways:

Left-Click Drag (onto another player):  Allows you to exchange 
	GREETING CARDS with other players
Double-Left-Click: Opens up the Ultima Messenger dialogue window.

The appearance of the mailbag represents different states:

Empty - You have no messages
Mail Appears in bag - There are only messages you have previously 
	read
Mailbag is Glowing and there is mail in the bag - You have unread 
	messages waiting


GREETING CARDS
=================================================================
In order to prevent unsolicited messages, Ultima Messenger requires 
that you have exchanged greeting cards with someone in the game
before they, or you can send messages to one another.  

To exchange a your greeting card with another player:
1. Left-click and hold on the MAILBAG icon, which appears over 
	your "paperdoll" representaion on your character window
2. Drag the icon on to the player with whom you wish to exchange mail.

If you give someone a GREETING CARD, but they do not give you a 
GREETING CARD in return, you will not be able to send them a message.
However, if they send you a message using the GREETING CARD you 
gave them, the message they send to you will act as a GREETING CARD,
and you will be able to send them messages.

At any time you may revoke the ability for someone to send you 
messages.  See the REVOKE section for more information. 

If you exchange greeting cards succesfully, a message will arrive
in your mailbag, and the name will be added to your ADDRESSES list.


ULTIMA MESSENGER MENU
=================================================================
You are able to access messages for any of your Ultima Online 
characters while you are logged into the game, as you have only
one mail account.  When you open Ultima Messenger, a scrollable 
list of folders will appear.   These folders represent people
you have received messages from.  All folders appear in alphabetical 
order, according to the sending character's name.

Although there is not a maximum number of mails you may receive, 
there is a limit to the size of your mailbox.  Try to delete old
messages.

To open a folder, double-left click on that folder.

If a folder contains messages, it will list the messages on a 
single line showing:
	Sender
	Subject
	Date the message was sent
	
To select a message, left-click on it.  
To read a message, double-left-click on it.

Near the bottom of the Ultima Messenger menu are the following 
six buttons:
1. NEW (SCROLL ICON)
2. REPLY (LEFT ARROW ICON) - grayed out unless a message 
	is selected
3. REVOKE (X MARK WITH PERSON ICON) - grayed out unless a 
	message from another player is selected
4. FORWARD (RIGHT ARROW ICON) - grayed out unless a message 
	is selected

5. DELETE (X ICON) - grayed out unless a message is selected
6. ADDRESSES (THREE PEOPLE ICON)


SENDING A MESSAGE - NEW, REPLY, FORWARD
=================================================================
You are able to SEND a message in three ways: begin a NEW 
message, REPLY to an existing message, or FORWARD an existing 
message.  When you do any of these things, a new message dialogue 
will appear with the following options.

TO:  	This line displays the addressee of the message.  
	Left-click on this line to open the PICK ADDRESSES box.  
	(See ADDRESSES for more information.)  If your are 
	REPLYing to a message, this field will be filled out with
	the name of the person to whom you are replying.

FROM: 	You character name will appear in the from field, unless 
	the message is to Origin Systems, in which case your real 
	name will appear.
	When you send a message, the person recieving the message
	will see this filled out with the name of the character 
	they know you as in their address book (if the character
	sending is different).  If they know you by multiple 
	names, the first match will be picked.


SUBJECT:	Left-click in this field to type a subject.  If you are 
	REPLYing to a message, , the same subject will appear as the 
	original message, but it will be preceded by RE:.  If you 
	FORWARD a message, the same subject will appear as the original
	message, but it will be preceded by FWD:. 

MESSAGE:  	This is where you put the message you wish to send to 
	the recipient.  


Below are two buttons.  You may SEND(MOVING SCROLL) the message, or 
CANCEL(CIRCLE WITH DIAGONAL LINE) it.


ADDRESSES
=================================================================
When you select the ADRESSES feature, you will see a list of 
addresses of people who have given your their GREETING CARD.

Each address in the "Character Addresses" folder, is represented 
by a name such as: 
	Ragnarock of Great Lakes (met 12/2/99)

Left-click once to select the name.

Click the EDIT (E BUTTON) to edit a selected entry.

Click the SEND(MOVING SCROLL) button to send a message to that person.


EACH FOLDER CAN HOLD A MAXIMUM OF ## ADDRESSES. 


REVOKE
=================================================================
To REVOKE(X MARK WITH PERSON ICON) a greeting card and prevent 
send to and receiving messages from a player,  use the 
REVOKE(X MARK WITH PERSON ICON) button.  This will remove you
from their address book, and they from yours. This button can be 
accessed in the ADRESSES(THREE PEOPLE ICON) menu, or when a 
message is selected in the ULTIMA MESSENGER MENU.

ICONS
=================================================================
CANCEL	-	CIRCLE WITH DIAGONAL LINE
DELETE	-	"X" ICON
EDIT 	-	"E" ICON
FORWARD	-	RIGHT ARROW ICON
ADRESSES-	THREE PEOPLE ICON
NEW	-	SCROLL ICON
REVOKE 	-	X MARK WITH PERSON ICON
REPLY	-	LEFT ARROW ICON
SEND	-	MOVING SCROLL ICON

[Faust]

aye, this is essentially what I remember with the feature. It is kind of like wow's mailbox but appended to your paperdoll instead, minus the ability to send items of course.

[StDrahcir]

...more important that this feature at this time such as better and more account management.

What are you referring to? Just curious really. Like the ability to change passwords and such?