Can someone explain 'contacts' for me?

December 19, 2004 6:20 PM

When I look at my own profile, I see this about "contacts":

Contacts: This user doesn't link to any other MetaFilter members. No other MetaFilter members link to this user.

When I look at someone else's profile, I see a button to add that person as a contact.

Have I missed something in MeFi guidelines about contacts? Why would I want to add someone as a contact or have him add me? Is there some benefit to doing that (like an IM channel)?

Can someone explain 'contacts' for me?
posted by PlanoTX to Etiquette/Policy at 6:20 PM (32 comments total)

It can generate a page with all the links posted by your contacts - nice if you like to keep track of what your "favourite" users are posting. Apart from that, it's just a nice way of forming insideous cabals and in-groups. Huzzah!
posted by Jimbob at 6:28 PM on December 19, 2004

but in no event may you have more than 100 contacts.
posted by quonsar at 6:30 PM on December 19, 2004

I link to as many librarians as I can find and a user who consistently posts interesting things. I'm also pretty sure that linking to someone means I'm obligated to put out at a meetup.
posted by stet at 6:32 PM on December 19, 2004

I use it to watch keep an eye on ... oh hell who am I kidding? I like to stalk people.

(feels much better now that the secret is out)
posted by squeak at 6:35 PM on December 19, 2004

but in no event may you have more than 100 contacts.

You do know that the other winning condition is that mathowie links to you, don't you?
posted by vacapinta at 6:37 PM on December 19, 2004

he does?!?!?
posted by quonsar at 6:42 PM on December 19, 2004

*snuggles up alongside PlanoTX*
posted by interrobang at 6:48 PM on December 19, 2004

I link to as many librarians as I can find

Oddly, or perhaps not so oddly, I do the exact same thing.
posted by jessamyn at 6:48 PM on December 19, 2004

Where'd half the thread go?
posted by jonmc at 6:50 PM on December 19, 2004

Down the Memory Hole.
posted by interrobang at 6:51 PM on December 19, 2004

"You do know that the other winning condition is that mathowie links to you"

Or he's just keeping an eye on you so he knows when to release the BAN HAMMER.
posted by mr_crash_davis at 7:02 PM on December 19, 2004

I thought this was documented somewhere. But then I looked and couldn't find it, so I must've been wrong.


1 MetaFilter user(s) link to mr_crash_davis:
mathowie (banhammer-wielding acquaintance muse)
posted by DrJohnEvans at 7:13 PM on December 19, 2004

Original announcement; more.
posted by mcwetboy at 7:17 PM on December 19, 2004

Sadly, I'm the only person allowed freeform contacts. I understand from what I've heard that it's because I am teh aw3s0m, or something. Search me.
posted by Pretty_Generic at 7:22 PM on December 19, 2004

interrobang ... That is my first meta-snuggling. Thanks. I have returned the favor. Besides, I like Kliban's cat drawings too.

Btw, how did you get that listing of other MetaFilters near you? That's cool. I wonder how many are in my Dallas/Plano area.
posted by PlanoTX at 7:43 PM on December 19, 2004

PlanoTX, you get them if you enter your area code on the "customize" page.
posted by interrobang at 7:44 PM on December 19, 2004

Unfortunately, the "crush" option doesn't work, as pointed out here.

Which, in my case, is probably for the best, and I should learn to keep my mouth shut anyway.

damn crushes.
posted by exlotuseater at 7:45 PM on December 19, 2004

...er, zip code, rather.
posted by interrobang at 7:46 PM on December 19, 2004

Unfortunately, the "crush" option doesn't work

Oh, that explains why my only "crush" is WolfDaddy.
posted by jonmc at 7:49 PM on December 19, 2004

interrobang... I got the Zip. Thanks.
posted by PlanoTX at 7:54 PM on December 19, 2004

I'll fuck anything that moves...
posted by greasy_skillet at 8:15 PM on December 19, 2004

I don't see a button for that....
posted by exlotuseater at 8:17 PM on December 19, 2004

Unfortunately, the "crush" option doesn't work

But "sweetheart" does, if you want to skip ahead...
posted by PinkStainlessTail at 8:49 PM on December 19, 2004

It's like high school, where you pretend people are your friends so they will pretend they are yours. I'd advise skipping it.
posted by rushmc at 10:10 PM on December 19, 2004

Is it all really pretend to you rush?
posted by kamylyon at 11:08 PM on December 19, 2004

Remember that time when someone made EVERYBODY his contact? Then it killed MeFi?

Good Time.
posted by hughbot at 7:07 AM on December 20, 2004

Everyone add me please or else I will take this straight to my LiveJournal, I swear to God.
posted by Kleptophoria! at 7:27 AM on December 20, 2004

I tried to add Pretty Generic as a "crush" but it doesn't show up! :(
posted by nthdegx at 7:38 AM on December 20, 2004

"crush" is broken.
posted by kenko at 8:39 AM on December 20, 2004

Is it all really pretend to you rush?

For me? Yes. Obviously some people here have met others and formed offline connections (and even relationships). I don't address my comments to those people.
posted by rushmc at 9:07 AM on December 20, 2004

MetaFilter: Will fuck anything that moves

Mr.#.1. I (double) dare you to put this in the Blue rotating tag list!
posted by billsaysthis at 4:41 PM on December 20, 2004

Frisco here, PlanoTX.
posted by First Post at 7:36 PM on December 20, 2004