Profanity: Feature: automatically start OTR for certain contacts

[eduncan911]

Profanity 0.5.1

Similar to #733 , and building on #840 , how would someone automatically start OTR sessions with certain contacts?

I find it quite annoying that the end-user always has to wait for me to type /otr start before they can send a message.

I do have policy set to always for these contacts. Which, I actually don't know what that means since it never starts a session on its own.

[jubalh]

Should be https://profanity-im.github.io/otr.html#policy I think.

[eduncan911]

@Jubalh this issue was created because we need a way to block messages unless the remote person accepts the OTR request first. And, we want it to be automatic.

if I am reading that link correctly, we should not be using "always" to set OTR. However, "always" seems to be the only policy that will block messages unless an OTR session is active?

Instead, the only method that seems 'automatic' is opportunistic?

If that is the case, will opportunistic block any message in the clear until the remote user accepts the OTR session?

Or, will it send things in the clear?

[jubalh]

I see. Let me check in more detail.
Or maybe @paulfariello knows?

[drcross]

I second eduncan911's proposal for this feature to be included. Once an OTR contact is verified it's obvious that you want to use all subsequent communication in OTR so having to always issue the start command is a hindrance for all non technical users and would be a barrier to usage. Great software by the way, thank you.

[eduncan911]

Pinging @paulfariello and @jubalh again.

I kind of forgot about this feature since my contact list grew to the point of where I couldn't use this tool due to missing encrypted messages when I wasn't around to say, "hold on, let me start a session first.". It sucks when you two are 12 hours apart, half way around the world.

And I really miss this tool too. Thanks for reminding me @drcross about how awesome it is. Wondering if it's still an issue of late.

[jubalh]

Once an OTR contact is verified it's obvious that you want to use all subsequent communication in OTR so having to always issue the start command is a hindrance for all non technical users and would be a barrier to usage

Please stop talking nonsense. It's not obvious at all. There are plenty of people who ask a secret question over OTR and want to initate the session each time. Because only then you can be sure the other person is who he sais he is and does not have his tablet lying somewhere.

There are actually users who write via OMEMO by default, but choose to switch to OTR for sensible conversations exactly because of that feature.

That being said, I clearly understand the need for a feature to 'always set it on by default' for some users.

Pinging @paulfariello and @jubalh again.

Right, I will look into it. But it doesn't have high priority. Other issues are more important for 0.10.0. You can read the README to learn how you can raise priority if you are not happy with it.

It sucks when you two are 12 hours apart, half way around the world.

Just a side note. Are you aware that OTR will only work if you use one single client? And AFAIK OTR does not work when one contact is offline by design. Not entirely sure about the latter though.
Maybe it's actually OMEMO or OX you want?

[drcross]

hi @jubalh, sincere thanks. I can help with testing if you like.