If you use Multiply, you're certainly already aware of what makes it different than other social-sharing-networking-Web2.0-addmeup sites. Instead of having a list of generic buddies or contacts, on Multiply, you specify your relationships, which makes the way you're connected to others easier to understand. (But you already knew all that. :-)
Our thoughts on the matter have always been that you should only add individuals that you know and trust as contacts. We later added the Online Buddy relationship type when it became clear that users desired a way to connect with people that they may not necessarily know as well as their "real world" contacts. For instance, when you connect to another user as an Online Buddy, their contacts don't become part of your Multiply network, and vice-versa. But we still believed that you should trust all individuals with whom you connect as contacts.
The Change
It seems that some users have different feelings on the subject. One of the most requested changes on Multiply (ever!) is a special access level for Online Buddies, a way to keep the contacts you kinda/sorta know separate from the ones you know very well.
Something like this:
So we're changing our tune a little. Coming soon, we'll be moving Online Buddies to its own category (joining "Friends," "Family" and "Professional Contacts"). As such, you'll be able to specify whether or not you want to share with Online Buddies when selecting "Contacts."
But... also!
These changes don't only apply to the content you post.
Now, we're extending this new access level to the other places on Multiply where you can already choose to whom your information should be made available, including your profile and account information, as well as the Contacts, Groups and Guestbook boxes on your homepage.
It's important to point out how these changes will affect content that you've already shared on Multiply. Anything that you've already posted for "Friends" (under the "Contacts" option) or "Friends, and their Friends" (under "Network") will no longer be accessible by your Online Buddies. You'll need to go back and edit those posts to explicitly give them access again. Content posted for your "Contacts" or "Network" will continue to be available to your Online Buddies.
Another important thing to remember... this is all Coming Soon! We'll be sure to let you know as soon as we know when "soon" is. :-)
I would like you to put in some child filters, or parental control availability so children can join the system but the parents can control who they get to connect to and communicate with.
I would like to be able to put the list of contacts into seperate folders so that when you look at the contacts list they aren't all squashed together.
As for the child filter, while I am against child porn and have personally reported a user for this, I would rather parents monitor and control as there some family naturists here. What they consider natural is considered some as sick, evil and even porn. I'm a family naturist myself and I have a folder for such pics available to a very select group of people.
I AM NEW AT THIS AND I AM FINDING IT HARD TO FIGURE EVERYTHING OUT, I HAVE A PAGE ON MYSPACE THAT IS MORE SIMPLIFIED, PLEASE KEEP IT SIMPLE, AND WHY DOES YOUR PROFILE SHOW UP EVERY TIME YOU LOOK AT SOME ONE'S PAGE??? SOMETIMES I LIKE TO LOOK BUT NOT NECESSARILY WANT TO BE A CONTACT FOR THAT PERSON, OH WELL I WILL TRY AGAIN TO FIGURE THIS OUT, PLEASE KEEP IT SIMPLE !!!!!!!!!!
We'll be sure to let you know as soon as we know when "soon" is. :-)
If only there were some way you could use the Calendar to remind yourselves to let us know, on a recurring basis...
But seriously, this is pretty cool - I have definitely posted some things just for "Family" and "Professional" contacts that I really would rather have posted for "Contacts, exclude Online Buddies" :)
I am fairly new here. I thought online buddy was someone you knew! Buddy to me means pal, friend. So tell me, what is the difference in the choices we have?
I am fairly new here. I thought online buddy was someone you knew! Buddy to me means pal, friend. So tell me, what is the difference in the choices we have?
the main difference (up till now, i suppose) is that an online buddy counts in the friend category (so if you posted something for all your friends, they'd get it.) but your network doesn't extend through them. so if you add joe as a friend, you also add all his friends as part of your "network." but if you add joe as an online buddy, then you're just adding joe and none of his contacts join your network.
One of the most requested changes on Multiply (ever!) is a special access level for Online Buddies, a way to keep the contacts you kinda/sorta know separate from the ones you know very well.
does this mean that we're not getting a separate "fan" contact level? (someone who is notified every time we post something to "everyone" but who's posts don't reciprocally show up in our inbox.)
i like the "fan" idea because it's essentially a means of adding a feed to your inbox without forcing your own public content on the other person. it would work well for people who want to follow a blog, but don't want to have to use another feed reader to RSS the posts into.
Anything that you've already posted for "Friends" (under the "Contacts" option) or "Friends, and their Friends" (under "Network") will no longer be accessible by your Online Buddies. You'll need to go back and edit those posts to explicitly give them access again
This means that all the posts that get edited will pop up on the Inbox and I will HAVE to re-edit a lot of my posts as 33 of my contacts are "online buddy"
Thanks great option for the future though ...now if I could only remember which ones of my contacts are which Hey is that new? The sort feature on the Contacts list [table view]? Oh wow Thanks NOW I know coolies
QUESTION While your on this subject -- quote---> ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- You'll need to go back and edit those posts to explicitly give them access again. Content posted for your "Contacts" or "Network" will continue to be available to your Online Buddies. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -- could we have a button to click to do them all -- as lots of us have over 10 THOUSAND Mmbers all as online buddys -- if i have to do those all one at a time - i,de rather close the group down as it would take weeks to do them one at a time......
and trust me - i will close them as editing over 10 thousand X 3 - Is TO MUCH - even for me./font>
I would like a way to mark favorites. People who have stated that they want to keep their contact list streamlined, but bookmarked, so I can go and check in on them and be notified when they update their blog.
I would like a way to mark favorites. People who have stated that they want to keep their contact list streamlined, but bookmarked, so I can go and check in on them and be notified when they update their blog.
Like this blog for instance could be in the "favourites" as you can't join the friends list Maybe an option to have the RSS feed actually on the Inbox under a custom section instead of having it on a separate reader
I would rather parents monitor and control as there some family naturists here.
Lionspider - This is exactly what I would like. But I would like that the options be available for the parents to choose when they set up their children's accounts. This will assist them in keeping an eye on their children's activities in a way that they are comfortable with. They will then have a greater sense of security and trust their child to be online communicating with people that the parents have pre-authorized. This will decrease the time the parents have to be standing over their chidren's shoulders watching every keystroke. It will also give the kids more freedom to be online when their parents aren't available, or don't feel like sitting around while they type about the daily events that excite children, but not adults. The children then have a sense of responsibility and freedom as well, but they also understand the limits and why they are there.
A tall order, but since blogging is not going away any time soon, we really should find some way to bring this communication tool to our children in a safe, and secure manner without having to tell them, "I don't care if Johnny blogs, it's dangerous out there and you don't need to be blogging!" They see us doing it all the time, so it's natural that they want to communicate with their friends in a modern way. And that way is blogging.
Globalization includes expanded friendships outside the community, and around the globe.
I AM NEW AT THIS AND I AM FINDING IT HARD TO FIGURE EVERYTHING OUT, I HAVE A PAGE ON MYSPACE THAT IS MORE SIMPLIFIED, PLEASE KEEP IT SIMPLE, AND WHY DOES YOUR PROFILE SHOW UP EVERY TIME YOU LOOK AT SOME ONE'S PAGE??? SOMETIMES I LIKE TO LOOK BUT NOT NECESSARILY WANT TO BE A CONTACT FOR THAT PERSON, OH WELL I WILL TRY AGAIN TO FIGURE THIS OUT, PLEASE KEEP IT SIMPLE !!!!!!!!!!
Funny you should say that because, Multiply has a very simple, and easy to use interface. If you want it bare bones simple then the solution is easy enough --- don't do anything to your site except put content. Even layout is simple ... just DRAG and DROP.
Multiply is one of the most versatile sites I know and ... the most organized. As for your other problem about the profile and whatnot, I don't understand the problem because it isn't something I encounter.
Now, we're extending this new access level to the other places on Multiply where you can already choose to whom your information should be made available, including your profile and account information, as well as the Contacts, Groups and Guestbook boxes on your homepage.
I am fairly new here. I thought online buddy was someone you knew! Buddy to me means pal, friend. So tell me, what is the difference in the choices we have?
This is just my take on it ... When you classify someone as a friend, that means this is someone you already know, you've already met, and someone with whom you have an existing relationship. An online buddy is someone that you have never met in the flesh. Someone you only encountered online and with whom you have a superficial relationship.
i joined multiply accidentally a few months ago as i tried to share my comment to someone famous in multiply. so far i have been facilitated. i thank u. and for some advancement, i thank u again.
YES!!! THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! I requested this feature last year, and you finally fulfill it! I couldn't believe you really listen to my request, buy you did!! Multiply is the best!
It's great that one can keep unwanted stalkers and harassers away and they can't get to your sight through a friends site like they can on other networks. Never change that here on Multiply. When you block someone they can't access your site and that's a good thing. Thank you. Some just live to try and make total strangers miserable by harassing and stalking.
This is what i've always wanted... so that i could level my contacts... too bad, i declined some of the invitations i received due to the fact that I wanted my site to be more personal, and not just add anyone who wishes to be my contact... sorry if someone out here is one of 'em... i hope you understand... but you can add me up again if this feature will become available so i can organize my contacts... JOB WELL DONE AGAIN MULTIPLY!!! You've made another reason for me to stick to this site...
One more thing that i wish you could do and i know i already mentioned this...a sub-album for group members' pics... puhlease...
I know this is probably too much to ask, but I'd like to be able to exclude individuals from particular posts... That would mean an "everyone" setting, minus, say, my mom!
Wow. I was wondering why I couldn't see posts by contacts of some of my contacts. Now I'm totally confused. I hope when this is implimented it is explained better.
On Y!360 there was a feature where you could see the posts scroll by in your inbox of people who's posts piqued your interested. That way you could read a few and perhaps comment on some before asking if you could add them as a contact. I think over there the option was called just 'add' rather than 'add as a friend.' I rather miss that. I met some facinating people that way.
Very interesting, I can see that I have a lot of "Re-posting to do" Often people that I know have added me or accepted me as an "Online buddy" instead of as a friend. I'll see how many offer to, or accept my offer to change them to "Friends" John.
I've been wanting this for soo long! U guys listen & that's super! This awesome feature will give us more freedom + privacy to share. Multiply is THE Greatest! Thank you, a million times THANK YOU! I can't wait =D
After thinking about it, this is a small victory for the people who just add contacts willy-nilly, without caring whether they actually know them (remember, the Terms of Service prohibit asking people you don't know to add you as a contact), since it makes it a tiny bit safer to do that.
Of course, plenty of people will still post things with broader access than they should. No amount of optional safety can stop that. ;)
Wow. I was wondering why I couldn't see posts by contacts of some of my contacts. Now I'm totally confused. I hope when this is implimented it is explained better.
Because your contacts, used online buddy, excluding them from their network. Or set permissions to not allow it.
This looks similar thought not exactly (?) as the "fan" option that many were asking for. I see a lot of misunderstanding (still) in reading the replies in this thread. Let's wait til it rolls out and then look at the tick box options once we click on "contacts". This may answer oodles of these questions.
Thanks.. This will also be a big help. But my concern is that.. It's not easy to change relationships. Can you make the network page more easier to manage?
That's gonna be one more great thing since I had a similar issue ( just once) when something shouldn't be available to one of my contacts. So I had to make it (available ) just for myself. Sure, it's already great thing to have an opportunity to specify your relationship though this improvement just another time underlines care and concern. I hope to be abel to use this new feature well to express my appreciation to all staff and Multiply users because of whom this came (will come) about. Thank you.
On Y!360 there was a feature where you could see the posts scroll by in your inbox of people who's posts piqued your interested. That way you could read a few and perhaps comment on some before asking if you could add them as a contact. I think over there the option was called just 'add' rather than 'add as a friend.' I rather miss that. I met some facinating people that way.
wow, i don't use y!360 but i've been thinking of this so long time! there are just too many people who want me to subscribe to their posts, or those who want to subscribe to my posts. but i have a lot of contact-only posts so that i didn't accept them as my contacts, because i don't want them to read those posts (network or everyone posts are okay).
I'm still shocked that things actually work around here and are regularly improved. Are you sure we didn't all die in some sort of 360 explosion, and now we're in social-networking heaven?
We'll be sure to let you know as soon as we know when "soon" is. :-) 
