This started this morning when I got an email notification that someone had added me to their friends list. I wanted to know exactly what that meant so I went in search of a help file, FAQ, pdf,... anything. But I cannot find any information about the Friends List feature - not on this site, or anywhere! Even Google is of no help!

The Manage Friends List page has no help topic for the Friends List. I went out to Invision to check for IP.Board docs - found the Invision Power Board Documentation Page , but that's useless too. It tells me no more than what I get by reading various button labels, with an occasional screen shot pointing to the buttons I want more information about.

The 159 page Administrator Document barely mentions the Friends List feature.

The Getting Started Guide does not contain the word "Friend".

What does the Friends List do for me?
What if someone does not want to be on anyone's friends list?
Is there a tutorial, Help File, or FAQ for Friends List feature? Any avid Friends List user care to draft something up?

And that takes me to Issue #2.

When looking for info, I found the Site FAQ Page, but sadly, did not find any information about the Friends List feature. But I did note the following:

Not too easy when the thread is locked.

I don't know these as a fact so maybe someone else can answer your question.

I beleive when You add a friend, it will notify you when that person logs into WTT.
If someone has added you as a friend I think you should be able to see them under your profile.

Hmmm, if true, you are suggesting someone (friend, foe, or otherwise) can spy on us and somewhat monitor our activities without us even knowing it!

Interesting - but not cool!

I got a note saying you added me a few minutes ago to your list. However, nowhere in my Manage Friends page are you listed. We're you notified when I came back on?I agree. But you can't. It is not listed anywhere.

Under "Edit Personal Portal Information" there is an option under "New Friends" to enable or disable the type of moderation - but I find that confusing too. The default appears to be "Disabled - Allow addition without approving". What does that mean? That others can add themselves to MY Friends List without my permission??? That's not cool either. That should not be the default, IMO.

Someone can look in Board Statistics to see who is on line, or they can look at a user's post to see if that individual is on line. On most boards, you can hide your on-line status. I don't even see that option anywhere. In my case, I am my own boss (but don't tell the wife), so if I spend too much time on line working the forums, no big deal. But some may not want others to know when they come and go - I think they should have that option, don't you? Perhaps under Board Settings there should be two new options: (1) Hide on-line status, and (2) Disable Friend Lists.

1) The "friends" feature is just forum software trying to participate in the "social networking" phenomenon. You add users to your friends, and they show up in your profile. That's it. vBulletin also added a number of social features with their latest update. These features continue to evolve.

2) When you login, you can tick the box, "Log in as invisible". That will hide your current online status, and last login info from all but administrators.

3) The FAQ should not have been locked. I'll open it now.

Thanks Blair.

Hmmm, isn't that counter to the purpose of forums? That is, a place for "open" discussions? (just thinking out loud - not looking for a response).

And that's fine. But how do I know who has me in their lists? Do they get notified when I come on-line?

There has been some push back to the new social networking features. I'm not personally a big fan of them, but mostly they've been very well received. Especially, among the Facebook, Myspace generation.

Friends do NOT get notified when you come online. You do get an email when someone has added you to their friends list. Currently, the only way to disable the new profile options is globally. Either everyone has the features, or no one does.

Digerati,
When I first started training, I added teachers that responded to my practice logs on my friends list. Didn't know what to do with them after that. I suggest an experiment. I'd love to be your friend. Add me to your friends list and see what you can learn.

Nor I - I know too much so I fear for the safety of our children and grandkids from the predators that lurk in such places. Ah! You mean from the current "know-it-all/it won't happen to me" generation? Fortunately, my kids are past that, but I have 7 grandkids...!

@Tomk - done.