If this puts too great a stress on the server, disregard this suggestion.
The idea is simple: somewhere on the site - notifications area, perhaps - have a list of people you befriended who were online in the last 5/10/15 minutes. It'll quickly show who is available, and considering you can already set who sees your availability it shouldn't be too infringing on the privacy!
I know we can browse to a user's profile and see their online status if they allow it, but it's not very convenient.
The idea is simple: somewhere on the site - notifications area, perhaps - have a list of people you befriended who were online in the last 5/10/15 minutes. It'll quickly show who is available, and considering you can already set who sees your availability it shouldn't be too infringing on the privacy!
I know we can browse to a user's profile and see their online status if they allow it, but it's not very convenient.
This is in the spec for the planned private chat system, but it's still some months out. 
You're right that it is needed and would be awesome, though.
You're right that it is needed and would be awesome, though.
That would be a very useful feature indeed. I can't wait to see it happen.
You are on: Forums » Suggestions & Development Discussion » Quick overview of online friends
Moderators: Mina, Keke, Cass, Auberon, Claine, Ilmarinen, Ben, Darth_Angelus