[Pan-users] Maybe solution of watched color dispute?

[Maurizio Colucci]

Hello everybody.
Maybe I have found a solution.

Let me recapitulate the problem. The problem is :

1. Many offline users need to mark some threads "auto-downloaded", which means 
that their BODIES must be automatically downloaded from now on, when clicking 
"get new headers".
Obviously, for normal threads the standard behavior must continue to apply, 
i.e. get only the headers.

2. In Pan the only way to do that seems to make a filter with watched 
threads, then a rule which automatically downloads bodies for watched 
threads.
This SEEMS to be fine, until...

3. The problem is now that in watched messages you loose the graphic
distinction between read and unread. Alas, offline users use almost 
exclusively watched messages! :-)


Now the idea, we are concentrating on point 3, trying to introduce new colors 
or new icons. BUT MAYBE THE ERROR IS IN POINT 2!

Let me explain: if Pan considers watched-read and watched-unread messages on 
the same ground, it means that the "watch" concept does not mean, for Pan, 
"messages whose bodies you must automatically download", but "messages which 
are so important that the distinction between read and unread fades".
So Pan's meaning for "watched" is different from Agent's meaning for 
"watched".

**Then the correct fix for that problem is NOT to modify colors for watched 
threads, BUT to introduce a NEW CONCEPT: the "auto-downloaded" feature.**

With a new icon (I suggest sunglasses) and a new hot-key.

What's the big gain? It is a big one: Since this is something to ADD, not 
something to CHANGE, existing users which are already happy will just avoid 
to use it, and will see no difference.

No need to rewrite anything. No need to change how watched feature works. And 
no need for me to write a rule to download watched bodies.

If you all agree, I will post a bugzilla...
bye,
Maurizio