Location disparity between profile and chat window

[GoogleCodeExporter]

In my profile, my location is set to "Los Angeles", but when I hover over
my user icon at the top of the chat window, it displays "cwkoss (Bellevue,
WA, USA), presumably harvested from IP address.  

Expected:  If the user has defined their location, you should not disclose
their current location based on IP.  You should use the user entered
location in all relevant locations.

Original issue reported on code.google.com by cwk...@gmail.com on 18 Mar 2009 at 7:26

[GoogleCodeExporter]

On the other hand, I like the idea that when I see a location - it is 
"authenticated"
and not just self-reported.  It also is useful to see when your friends are 
traveling
- where are they now.

Perhaps I could have a privacy feature that does NOT display your IP-based 
location
... but that could be an advanced/premium feature.

Original comment by mckoss@gmail.com on 6 Apr 2009 at 8:49

• Changed state: WontFix

[GoogleCodeExporter]

Alright.  Well, then remove the user inputted location field.  Keeping it is
confusing, because you put in one thing and it is displaying another.  

I am not arguing for either one, but rather, we need consistency.  

The authenticated location is kind of cool, but:
1. Nobody is going to know that it is an authenticated location.  It doesn't say
anywhere that it is.  
2. I would bet that more people worried about privacy would just leave the site
rather than shell out money to keep it hidden.  Might anger people. 
3. I think it is a bit of a middle finger to the user, because they have taken 
the
time to enter the location that they want to be displayed, and you don't listen 
to them.

Actually I am arguing for one: just the user inputted field.  People aren't 
used to
sites grabbing their IP's and displaying their locations to other people.  It 
isnt a
feature that is going to impress a user enough to make them choose to use or 
not use
the site, so just go with the solution that is easiest for the user to 
understand.

I feel like there are lots of places in this site where you put in something 
that you
think is cool, sacrificing usability in the process.  This is your project, 
where you
are creating something for your own enjoyment, but I think it is important to
understand how what you think is cool will often work in the opposite direction 
from
what is best for usability, because you are more 'internet literate' than most. 

Original comment by cwk...@gmail.com on 23 Apr 2009 at 12:11

• Changed state: New