Question, probably dumb, but I'm going to ask it anyways!

I check "colleague" because technically we are all "working" at the same thing on here, and that is writing and photography, or visual imagry. A fellow gatherer mentioned in her profile that she would prefer people connect to her as colleagues, because she wishes to save "friend" for those friends that she knew before Gather. I think she has a very good point.

I equate colleague with "peer," a person to whom you are equal. We are all peers in our writing etc. We are all here doing the same thing.

I.am.your.friend.you.ass....and.there.is.a.group.dedicated
to.aromatherapists.I.just.don't.know.what.its.called.
ilene.c.is.awesome.and.so.is.April,and.I.can't.think.of
any.names.right.now...brain.fart!,,,,,,I"m.excused

I put friend and colleague, because I believe we are all colleagues through our writing.

either one is fine.

I usually check friend.

I check both

There is a woman named Marilyn N. on here that has posted really informative stuff on essintial oils and aromatherapy

I always check "Friend." I think "colleague" is too formal.

:)

But are you a personal friend? I believe the reason behind this function is to enable a person to publish some things only to certain groups. For example, if I wanted to publish personal story about my daughter and make it visible ONLY to family members, it would be nice if the 'family' connections were in deed my family members. I think the problem is that we can't change this designation from colleague to friend at a later date, when someone we connected with actually moves from colleague to friend. I wish we could create our own categories and place our connections in the one we choose.

I check friend or collegue..I figure it they don't want me as a friend don't accept. I put friend after I read several articles that I like.
I am the type of person who makes friends easily.I consider everyone my friend unless they do me wrong.
But that is just me....This is one of those questions that no matter what you choose.You will making someone upset.....So,I say to that........to each their own. Do if however you feel.

Either will work for me.

I picked friend for my connections also. I hope I did not commit a faux paux?

(snickering loudly) Sandy K if we made up our own categories, I would have one for buttheads.

The point that Sandy raised above is a good one.

The type of connection you have with another member on Gather really has no meaning, except when publishing. Therefore, I theoretically look upon the designation of connection types as a part of a 'tier system' for my publishing. Then, I could publish material just to my 'inner circle', as only those members may be more interested in some of my selected works. Unfortunately, we don't have complete control over our connection types, in that we must accept the connection type chosen by the requester.

Another method is based upon whether you know the member outside of Gather, or in the 'real' world. Some members choose 'colleague' if they only know the member online, or on Gather. Then, members they communicate with outside of Gather, or cyberspace, are designated as 'friends'.

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Hopefully a future version of Gather will provide the capability for us to designate our connection types independently. This will allow me to identify you as a friend in my connection list (if we were connected), and you can choose a different label for me, if desired.

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I don't know from aromatherapy, but I have a lavender plant, Do I get a point for that?

you could just put both and be safe. lol

Well. Ok, that turned into an interesting question/answer! Diane, 10 points for your lavender plant, as I don't have one!
I have no family on here... I've never gotten kicked off of anywhere as yet - and colleague seemed too formal to me as well, and Amanda you ass, I know we're friends ;)

Paul, you can pick on me just as much if I check off friend or colleague, fair enough?

Deanna, I was putting down both but then changed it and I agree with additional catagorys such as butthead. ;)

Kevin, you have many interesting points, as you always do.

And I know or knew nobody on here personally till I invited one person!

So... I'm sticking to friend ;)

I never know what to put either. I'm afraid I'm not consistent in that area, and have at one time or two clicked both as well.
I never segregate my postings anyway, so I don't really see the point in the three selections.

I tend to put friend if I think I'm going to really relate to someone, like them, and care about them as a person. In other words, if I met them IRL, would I want to hang out?

I put colleague if I am more interested in their writings, political (or other) views on things, and haven't really decided whether or not I'd go for more than coffee with them. ;)

Oh, and I will NEVER use the family one. No way, No how. They already think I'm a fruitloop. If they read the things I wrote, I'd be packed off by big men in little white coats with sympathetic expressions in no time flat.

(Why can't we edit comments when we think of half a dozen more things to say???)

I am not even sure what I checked. I didn't think it mattered so much....

I go with friend if it's my choice. Colleague reminds me of work.

I don't usually think real hard about it when I invite, I let my instinct run my mouse, lol...and if someone asks for a connection, I accept how they think of me. I still remember the first person who asked to connect as a friend, though--it was a real "wow!" experience. Just go with the flow and don't worry. :)

I almost always check friend. Nothing else seems appropriate to me