Some of the major changes you will notice after GTalk Profile comes online again:
- A new site design that allows you to take full advantage of any size browser window. We hope that you like this new interface!
- The ability to browse profiles by location using a Google Map. There are a few known bugs with the map that we are working on fixing. Rather than waiting to fix every last bug, we decided it was better to let you jump in and start using it. You will notice that some countries do not show up on the map. Also, you will notice that the location for some countries and states/provinces do not show up in exactly the right spot. Again, we are working on fixing both of these problems.
- A search box that is integrated into the map, allowing you to further refine your searches.
- A new server to handle the map functionality—so that you can spend more time searching, and less time waiting for content to load.
In the near future, you will notice even more upgrades including:
- Newly designed profile pages. We've heard that the profiles are too bland and boring, and we're working to fix that.
- Combining of the Public and Private Friend list into a single Friend list. The current system is confusing so we will be combining both lists into one. To protect your privacy during this transition, Google Talk users currently on your Public Friend list will disappear from your profile. We suggest that you add these users to your Private Friend list if you do not want them to disappear from your profile when we make this change. Google Talk users currently on your Private Friend list will be publicly displayed on your profile page. If you do not want links to these user's profiles to be publicly displayed in your profile, you should remove them from your Private Friend list before we make this change. We will make another announcement when we get closer to making this change so that you will have an opportunity to make any last minute adjustments to your Public and Private Friends lists.
- Snapshots of your Friend's profiles will be shown on your profile. This will replace the current "friends" section and the "see who lists John as a Public friend…" link. As always, adding someone as a Friend will not expose their contact information to anyone that they have not added to their Friend list. It will, however, allow you both to see each others contact information if you have accepted each other as Friends.
We hope you continue to enjoy using GTalk Profile. As always, if you need help or have suggestions for us, please visit our discussion forum. And one last thing, we'd like to wish everyone a happy holiday season!
