Do You Really Want to Meet People on the Web?

Wolfspelz writes "Do you want to meet people on Web pages? The Jabber Virtual Presence project makes people aware of each other on the Web. Just like you are aware of other people in the real world anywhere you go, the virtual presence makes you aware of others on the same virtual locations. The project uses Jabber/XMPP as the transport protocol for virtual presence. Jabber conference components serve as presence servers. The code is GPL/LGPL. The Virtual Presence Protocol extensions are open and documented. The virtual presence system including the LLuna2 client is designed to protect the privacy and prohibit any indecent use, be it commercial use, advertising, or profiling. But: do you want to meet people on the Web at all?"

Comments

Could be interesting...

[slusich]

While definately not the most obvious use of this software, it could prove interesting on sites such as /., cnn, salon etc. to talk live to others about an article. Posting comments is fine, but it's not live, and it could be days before anyone responds. It's certainly not something you'd leave running all the time.

I for one..

[hookedup]

Would much rather ask someone looking at the same website as me if they have seen what I'm looking for, instead of a site map.

And no.. I dont go walking around the grocery store asking strangers where the broccoli is..

More face to face interaction

[jcostantino]

Even though "online" has such a stigma attached to it, lots of people meet other people just fine. What if someone is severely handicapped and can't otherwise easily leave the house?

I've met people socially who I met online, some were freaks and some were decent well adjusted people. It's the same as meeting people in the real world.

I'll admit that I have a bit of social anxiety in person and it's easier for me to start a conversation with a total stranger online and to subsequently dip out on the conversation if I don't like the tone or direction :).

Re:I'm all for it.

[mwood]

I'm always puzzled by this sort of reaction. In what way is meeting on a Web page any less "real" than meeting at a bus stop or over the phone? The other person is just as real.

Re:Um...huh?

[superdan2k]

Why, yes, I believe we do! Small Internet. :-D

Do you want to meet people on the Web?

[mwood]

Despite my rants elsewhere about the unreality of the "real world" concept, I'd have to say no. I do not have any unfulfilled desire to meet people on the 'net (or anywhere else). I meet people all the time, netwise and otherwise, and I find this sufficient.

Re:Not really

[AviLazar]

There are obvious advantages to meeting in person - body interactions, voice inflections, etc. I agree that it is easier to read people in person (and sometimes damn near impossible to read people online). Thank you for saying I may be a nice person...I like to think that I am. (my name is Avi). I do meet many people face - face, I utilize a blend of both online and offline. Everyone needs to find the niche that works for them. My problem comes around when people assume that online engagements are sub-par. Good luck to you, and enjoy a good room temperature beer for me :)