Stuart:

Your observations on the joys of listening quietly to Archipelago debates has given me a brilliant idea!

As you point out, we often enjoy a particular card but don't feel a need to generate a response card. But it would be nice for all concerned if there was some EASY INSTANT way to register our reactions. In a face to face meeting we can do this by simply nodding or smiling or whatever. It would be nice if there was a way to nod or smile without typing a single word.

When Archipelago 2.0 comes out (which won't be until I get several other projects out of the way), the RESPOND button will be enhanced. Instead of just producing a response card, a pop-up menu will appear and you can select what TYPE of response or new card you wish to create (standard, book review, intro card, etc.)

Suppose we put our little face symbols on that pop-up menu! (The faces: ) If you point to one of these faces, no new card will be generated. But a larger version of the face will appear in one of the reply boxes of that card with your name underneath. So when reading cards in the next issue, if a member icon appears in a reply box, pushing it will lead to a card. But if an expression-face appears, we simply get some feedback that the card caused enjoyment or confusion or whatever. It will only take a second for a reader to add such a face to the reply boxes of the card he is reading.

An example: Stuart read's Paul's "Paddy" poem [Vol 12 Paul 6] and bursts out laughing. He pushed the RESPOND button and a pop-up menu appears with a list of faces. Stuart points to the face. When the next issue comes out, anyone who looks back at Vol 12 Paul 6 will see, say 5 icons in the first 5 reply boxes. One of these might be a standard member icon leading to a reply card. But the other four would be expression faces with names underneath. One of these would look like and would have Stuart's name underneath. In this way, Stuart could record his reaction without actually joining in. And Paul would be reassured that other members really are reading and enjoying his cards!

What do you think? Are our current faces up to the task? Do you see any problems? Do you love this idea? ?