Private Messages

[Woody]

I cannot find how to send private messges
Do you have to have them as a friend first?

[AJ]

I can't find it either.

[Woody]

I like the quick reply feature by the way...
AJ, may I add you as a friend and see if that allows us to send private messages?

[Izzie]

From the "Internet Safety" page...

'The MDSC wants to offer you the benefits of Internet discussions and reduce the risks. We are not adding the private messaging email feature. Instead we encourage open sharing amongst our community and not through one-on-one partnerships.'

Perhaps this explains?

[AJ]

Okay found the friend thing. Click on name of person. Option to add to contacts pops up.

Yes Woody. I think you just have to send a request to me thru the add to contacts. I sent you a request.

[Woody]

AJ,
Adding you as a friend give you the option to send a PM (Private Message) but when you try to use that feature it give you a message that your administrator has disabled private messaging. Thank you for your assistance in testing this.

Izzie,
Thank you for pointing out that passage for us. It took me some doing but I finally found it on the main Web page.

Forum Admin,
I hole hardly agree with you as fare as the promoting group discussion thing. And to be honest on the old message board I think I very rarely even used the feature.

I would how ever respectfully make the following case to allow a limited form of private messages.

In the past, and I am sure it is going to happen again, that the need to exchange information that either myself or the other member did not want to be part of the public domain.

The way that the message board is setup now, this would not be possible. There are always ways around this. One way would be to exchange emails. The drawback to this would be that the email would become public domain information and that poses its own risks.

The way that the old board was set up there was two option for sending private messages. One way was from the user to email and the other was from user to user. User to email had the safety check that you had to allow this type of message in your user profile. No checkmark … no message. Downside of user to email messages was that it uninvitingly reviled your email address. User to user messages did not revile any private information that you did not want to, but you had no control on who messaged you and that created it own risk.

If I understand the workings of this forum software, you could make it that you would need to approve someone as a friend in order for them to be able to send a private message. This is security that was not available before. In addition you have this new feature that was not available on the old forum called ‘Ignore User’ BTW it works great … not that there anyone that I want to ignore!

Sorry for being so lengthy. If I was to surmise, I think adding the ability of send PM to people on a friend list would not only enhance the exchange of information but would also improve user security.

Thank you for taking the time to read my lengthy post and I will of coarse respect your decision on this mater.

[AJ]

I agree with you Woody. I think private messages should be turned on for the very reasons you point out in your post. Perhaps the board admin will reconsider.

[Admin Support]

Following Up on PM Request

Dear Woody

You state your case well. I will present your request to the webmaster and work on getting that changed in place for you and the others. I must find out all their reasons first, for having it off in the first place. You do make a good case regarding allowing people in as your friend.


Kelly
Admin Support

[Woody]

Thank you

[Admin Support]

PM will be activated

Just a quick note to let you know that we have the approval to turn on the private messaging feature.

I will be emailing the request today and I will let you know when it is activated.

Kelly

[Woody]

That is good news Kelly, thank you for the update

[AJ]

Good news Kelly. Good work Woody.

[Admin Support]

Private Messaging is in Use

You should now be able to access the Private Messaging feature within this forum.

Please do not loose site of the fact that we are information sharing and we all like to read, contribute and share the information posted on this forum between each other.

Kelly

[Woody]

Thats Great!
Thank you Kelly