Don't know if someone has suggested this before, but what would be really good to see would be to be able to see whether a message you've sent has been read, deleted or whatever.

That way you're not wondering if your messages have been read, or if people aren't interested etc.

This feature is actually present on certain sites already, usually they request a "receipt" upon reading a message. This sounds similar in design to requesting a read-percentage, and I can see where this is going.

Your idea would only work if the receipt was compulsory, which it couldn't - the option needs to be there that you won't accept a receipt, it's like when you send recorded mail - you may be asked to sign for a package, but you don't have to accept & sign if you don't want to.

It can be used to identify active users for scammers too.

I think you'd find people who sent a message with a receipt would only end up getting their mail read even less - some people don't like the invasion of privacy.

Yep, some sites i've used do show if a message has been read - and they usually ask for a receipt - a little javascript box that pops up when you open the message saying "user X has requested a delivery receipt for this message, do you wish to grant it?"

That way, if they click "no", the message will perpetually be in limbo, on your message list it'll say "awaiting receipt" much like all the ones that haven't been read.

I'm very much against the idea of people knowing who's messages I read and whos profiles I look at. I consider that an invasion of privacy. That's why i'll argue it to the death that there are always "optional" elements to these "spy" features people want on the site.

It works fine as it is, If someone doesn't reply to my message, i'm content to accept they don't want to chat - especially if I see them online.

Common sense is a much more sensible suggestion, plus it'll save Toby from having to add more unnecessary features

Seeing as i'm a bit geeky, i discovered a "hack" that already shows if your message was read...
<secret>

The sent messages already exists, but it is not visible yet as I have to
make sure spammers will not be able to use this in order to find a way around the spam filter.

Ooops should i have not posted that URL?

To be fair Toby, we both know how to write code and therefore how things work, which is (obviously) how i knew that the sent message status can already be checked. I know spammers can be a major pain in the arse but most of them are relatively intelligent so they too are capable of a workaround.

The only way i can suggest to limit spam is to limit several things such as:
1. number of mails you can send per hour/day.
2. number of *different* users mail is sent to - i.e. you can only contact (say) 20 different people per day.

You could also check for automated mail sending by checking the time between mails. And how about a filter system? If a user sends the exact same mail more than 10 times, they're spamming.

JUst my suggestions...