diff --git a/src/chat/NetworkClient.java b/src/chat/NetworkClient.java
index deb055e..37a4933 100644
--- a/src/chat/NetworkClient.java
+++ b/src/chat/NetworkClient.java
@@ -123,13 +123,13 @@ public class NetworkClient {
             		System.out.println(usernameList.length + " users currently connected");
             		for(String u:usernameList)
                 	{
-            			if(u.length() > 0)
-                		known_users.add(new User (u));
+            			if(!u.equals(""))
+            				known_users.add(new User (u));
                 	}
             		for(String u:outdoorUsernameList)
                 	{
-            			if(u.length() > 0)
-                		known_outdoor_users.add(new User (u));
+            			if(!u.equals(""))
+            				known_outdoor_users.add(new User (u));
                 	}
             		for(String a:addressList)
                 	{
diff --git a/src/chat/ReceiveThread.java b/src/chat/ReceiveThread.java
index 0f6d149..bbe1d63 100644
--- a/src/chat/ReceiveThread.java
+++ b/src/chat/ReceiveThread.java
@@ -135,7 +135,7 @@ class ReceiveThread extends Thread {
 			            knownUsersPanel.append("\nOutdoor users:\n");
 			            for(User a:known_outdoor_users)
 			            {
-			            	knownUsersPanel.append("(" + a.getName() + ")  \n");
+			            	knownUsersPanel.append(" " + a.getName() + "  \n");
 			            }
 			            displayArea.setCaretPosition(displayArea.getDocument().getLength());
 	            	}