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Direct Messaging

Direct messaging (DM) lets you have private conversations with people you've connected with at events. Messages persist across events and are private between you and the other person.

Overview​

Direct messages are private one-on-one conversations between you and your connections. Unlike chat rooms, DMs are:

  • Private (only you and the other person can see messages)
  • Persistent (messages stay even after the event ends)
  • Event-scoped or global (depending on how you connected)
Message Privacy

Direct messages are private between you and the recipient. However, messages are technically auditable by the instance owner (no end-to-end encryption currently). End-to-end encryption may be added in a future release based on user feedback.

Key Features:

  • Real-time messaging with typing indicators
  • Message status (sent, read)
  • Event-scoped and global threads
  • Desktop multi-window and mobile full-screen interfaces
  • Thread management and deletion

Starting a Direct Message​

From Your Connections​

  1. Go to My Network (in main navigation)
  2. Find the person you want to message
  3. Click their Message button
  4. A chat window opens with your conversation

From Event Attendees​

  1. Go to the event's Networking > Attendees tab
  2. Find someone you're connected with
  3. Click their Message button
  4. A chat window opens

After Accepting a Connection​

When you accept a connection request:

  • A DM thread is automatically created
  • The thread includes their icebreaker message from the connection request
  • This gives you a conversation starter to respond to
  • On desktop, you may be navigated to the thread
  • You can start messaging immediately
Who Can You Message?

You can only send direct messages to people you're connected with (accepted connection requests). You cannot DM someone you're not connected to.

Desktop Interface​

Multi-Window System​

Desktop uses a floating window system for DMs:

Layout:

  • Windows appear in the bottom-right corner
  • Up to 3 windows can be open at once
  • Additional threads are minimized (small icons at bottom)
  • Click a minimized thread to open it (closes the oldest open window)

Window Controls:

  • Minimize button (–) - Collapse to bottom-right icon
  • Close button (×) - Close window (thread stays in sidebar)
  • Drag - Move window around the screen

Chat Sidebar​

Access:

  • Click the chat icon (usually bottom-left or in navigation)
  • Sidebar slides out from the left
  • Shows your thread list

Tabs:

  • Global - All your DMs from all events
  • Event - DMs from the current event (if you're in an event)

Thread List:

  • Shows preview of last message
  • Timestamp of last message
  • Unread indicator (if new messages)
  • Online status (if other user is active)

Sending Messages (Desktop)​

  1. Type in the input box at the bottom of the window
  2. Press Enter to send
  3. Shift+Enter for a new line
  4. Message appears immediately (optimistic update)
  5. Checkmark (✓) shows when sent to server

Mobile Interface​

Full-Screen Windows​

Mobile uses full-screen chat windows:

Layout:

  • Thread list in collapsible sidebar
  • Tap thread to open full-screen
  • Back button (×) returns to thread list
  • One conversation at a time

Chat Sidebar​

Access:

  • Tap the chat icon (usually bottom-right or floating button)
  • Sidebar opens over your content
  • Shows tabs: Global, Event, Rooms, Session

Global Tab:

  • All your DM threads from all events
  • Shows preview and timestamp
  • Tap to open full-screen

Event Tab:

  • DM threads from current event
  • Also shows global threads if other user is in this event
  • Contextual to what event you're viewing

Sending Messages (Mobile)​

  1. Tap a thread to open it full-screen
  2. Type in the input box at the bottom
  3. Tap the Send button
  4. Message appears immediately
  5. Status indicators show delivery status

Mobile Input:

  • Placeholder: "Message [First Name]..."
  • Auto-resizes as you type
  • Soft keyboard support
  • Better touch targets

Message Features​

Typing Indicators​

When someone is typing a message to you:

  • Desktop: "typing..." appears in the thread
  • Mobile: "typing..." appears in the chat window

How it works:

  • Updates in real-time as they type
  • Shows for 5 seconds after they stop typing
  • Only visible in DMs (not chat rooms)

Message Status​

Your sent messages show status indicators:

✓ (Checkmark) - Sent

  • Message successfully sent to the server

✓ (Checkmark) - Read

  • The other person has opened and seen your message
Read Receipts

Read receipts show when someone has actually seen your message. They're automatic - you can't turn them off for individual messages.

Optimistic Updates​

When you send a message:

  1. It appears immediately in your window (optimistic)
  2. A "pending" style shows it's being sent
  3. Server confirms receipt within ~1 second
  4. Message updates to show "sent" status (✓)

If sending fails:

  • Message stays in pending state
  • You can retry or delete it

Thread Management​

Finding Conversations​

Global Tab (Desktop and Mobile):

  • All your DM conversations across all events
  • Sorted by most recent message
  • Shows preview of last message

Event Tab (Desktop and Mobile):

  • Conversations from the current event
  • Also includes global threads if the other person is in this event
  • Filtered based on event context

Search:

  • Use the search bar to find people by name
  • Filters the thread list in real-time

Deleting Threads​

You can delete entire conversations (iMessage-style):

  1. Find the thread in your thread list
  2. Click the menu icon (three dots) or swipe (mobile)
  3. Select Delete Chat
  4. Confirm the deletion

What happens:

  • The thread disappears from your list
  • Your message history is deleted from your view
  • The other person's message history is unchanged (they still see everything)
  • If either person sends a new message, the thread reappears
  • You only see new messages from the point you deleted forward
  • The other person still sees full history
Thread Deletion

Deleting a thread only removes it from your view and deletes your message history. The other person keeps their full history. If either person sends a new message, the thread reappears, but you'll only see messages from that point forward. This isn't a permanent block.

Event-Scoped vs Global Threads​

Event-Scoped Threads (Rare)​

What they are:

  • Created when an organizer/admin messages you within an event
  • Only when you're NOT connected to each other
  • Purpose: Quick communication without requiring a connection (event updates, warnings, etc.)
  • Purely event-specific

What happens when you connect:

  • The event-scoped thread becomes a global thread
  • You now have ONE persistent DM thread across all events

Example: An organizer sends you a quick message about a session change. If you later connect with that organizer, that thread becomes global.

Global Threads (Most Common)​

What they are:

  • DMs with people you're connected to
  • One thread per connection, regardless of how many events you attend together
  • Persists across all events and outside event context

Where you see them:

  • Always in the "Global" tab
  • In the "Event" tab if the other person is in your current event

Example: You connect with someone at "Tech Conference 2024" and message them. You have ONE global thread with them that follows you to future events.

Understanding the Event Tab​

The Event tab shows:

  • Anyone you have an active thread with who is in the same event you're viewing
  • These are "familiar faces" - people you already know/chatted with
  • Makes it easy to find and message people you've connected with at past events who happen to be at this event too
Finding People You Know

The Event tab is your "friendly faces" filter - it shows threads with people who are attending the same event you're currently viewing. This makes networking easier by surfacing people you already have relationships with.

Desktop vs Mobile​

Desktop Features​

Multi-window DMs:

  • Up to 3 windows open simultaneously
  • Floating, movable windows
  • Minimize windows to bottom-right
  • Click minimized to restore

Sidebar:

  • Collapsible from left side
  • Thread list with tabs (Global, Event)
  • Search threads
  • Open thread opens a window

Mobile Features​

Full-screen DMs:

  • One conversation at a time
  • Full-screen for better reading
  • Larger touch targets
  • Back button to return to thread list

Sidebar:

  • Opens over content
  • 4 tabs: Global, Event, Rooms, Session
  • Tap to open thread full-screen
  • Close button collapses sidebar

Mobile Advantages:

  • Session tab (easy access to session rooms)
  • Better keyboard handling
  • Optimized for small screens
  • Fewer distractions

Feature Parity​

FeatureDesktopMobile
Send messages✓✓
Typing indicators✓✓
Read receipts✓✓
Thread deletion✓✓
Search threads✓✓
Global/Event tabs✓✓
Multi-window✓✗
Session tab✗✓

Best Practices​

Starting Conversations​

When you accept a connection request, the thread already includes their icebreaker message. This gives you a natural conversation starter - just respond to what they said!

Tips:

  • Use the Event tab to find familiar faces at the event you're attending
  • Use the Global tab to see all your conversations
  • Search for people by name rather than scrolling

Message Etiquette​

  • Be professional and respectful
  • Respond in a reasonable timeframe
  • Don't spam or send excessive messages
  • Don't use DMs for harassment or inappropriate content

Common Scenarios​

Scenario 1: Messaging Someone You Just Connected With​

Goal: Start a conversation after connecting at an event

Steps:

  1. You accept their connection request (or they accept yours)
  2. A DM thread is automatically created
  3. Desktop: Window may open automatically
  4. Mobile: Find them in the Event tab
  5. Send your first message

Scenario 2: Finding an Old Conversation​

Goal: Message someone you met at a past event

Steps:

  1. Open chat sidebar
  2. Go to Global tab (shows all threads)
  3. Search for their name
  4. Click/tap the thread to open
  5. Continue the conversation

Scenario 3: Messaging Multiple People at an Event​

Desktop:

  1. Open first thread (window 1)
  2. Click second person (window 2)
  3. Click third person (window 3)
  4. All three windows visible at once
  5. Switch between them as needed

Mobile:

  1. Open first thread
  2. Back button to thread list
  3. Open second thread
  4. Repeat as needed
  5. One conversation at a time

Scenario 4: Cleaning Up Your Thread List​

Goal: Remove old or inactive conversations

Steps:

  1. Find threads you don't need
  2. Menu → Delete Chat
  3. Confirm deletion
  4. Thread removed from your list
  5. Reappears only if new messages arrive

Troubleshooting​

Can't Message Someone​

Problem: No message button or can't start a DM

Solutions:

  • Make sure you're connected (accepted connection request)
  • You can only DM people in your network
  • Check if they've blocked you (though this isn't visible)
  • Verify internet connection

Messages Not Sending​

Problem: Message stuck in "pending" state

Solutions:

  • Check internet connection
  • Refresh the page or app
  • Message may be queued - wait a moment
  • Try sending again if it fails

Typing Indicator Not Working​

Problem: Don't see "typing..." when other person is typing

Solutions:

  • Typing indicators only work in DMs (not rooms)
  • Other person may not be typing
  • Real-time connection may be delayed
  • Refresh if it's been broken for a while

Can't Find a Thread​

Problem: Looking for a conversation but can't find it

Solutions:

  • Check both Global and Event tabs
  • Use the search bar to find by name
  • Thread may have been deleted
  • Make sure you're still connected to the person

Thread Keeps Reappearing After Deletion​

Problem: Deleted a thread but it came back

Solutions:

  • This is expected behavior
  • Threads reappear when new messages arrive
  • Either person sending a message brings it back
  • To permanently stop receiving messages: remove the connection

Desktop Windows Not Opening​

Problem: Click message but no window appears

Solutions:

  • May already have 3 windows open (max limit)
  • Close or minimize a window first
  • Check if a window is hidden behind other content
  • Refresh the page

Mobile Chat Overlay Stuck​

Problem: Chat sidebar won't close

Solutions:

  • Tap outside the sidebar
  • Tap the close/back button
  • Refresh the page
  • May be a layout issue - try rotating device
Quick Messaging

On desktop, keep your most active conversations open in windows while working in the event. On mobile, the sidebar gives you instant access to all your threads from anywhere.