What is the default setting to private messages?

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1

I don’t even use the PM option that often, but twice, in the past two days I’ve wanted to send a PM to another doper only to find out that it isn’t an option with that particular poster. And these aren’t guest or anything, they’re honest to goodness members.

For the life of me I cannot think of why someone wouldn’t want to have PM turned on, so it makes me wonder if the default setting for PM’s is turned off. So, which is it? On or off?

And maybe a doper who has turned their’s off can come and help me understand why they don’t want to get any PM’s.

2

I have PM turned on and e-mails turned off in my profile to go along with my wish not to be easily identified (note the emphasis on easily). However, I can certainly see why someone that didn’t mind being identified might do the exact opposite - it ensures that all non-public responses go to one place.

As well, some people may feel that any comments made about their postings should be public - an “if you don’t have the courage to let everyone see what you think of me, I’m not interested in your comments” attitude.

3

Default setting is “off.”

We just added PMs fairly recently (with the advent of the new server) and I suspect most people just didn’t bother to turn it on. You can always send them an email and ask them to. :slight_smile:

4

What exactly is Private Messaging? I know what email is, and I know what Instant Messaging is, neither of which I have turned on.

My email address would make it too easy to identify me, as others have said, and IM is not allowed at my workplace.

So to repeat the question, what is Private Messaging?

5

It is just what it says; the ability to send little email-type messages within the message board community.

You can turn it on and access it by going to the User Control Panel – that’s the UserCP hyperlink in the blue band at the top of the page, look on the far left.

Once you’re in the User Control Panel click on"Edit Options." Then go to “Messaging and Notification” in the panel on the right hand side. Manage your settings as you like. Then go to the bottom of the page and click the “Save Changes” button.

Then you can go to the Private Messaging section in the panel on the left and start sending messages. Or simply click on the user name in a posting; if they have Private Messaging activated one of your choices will be “send a private message to . . .”

6

Tuba, I figured that part out. What I don’t understand is the delivery method. Do PM’s come to my email address which is hidden to users but available to the VB software? Or do I get a popup while on the boards?

How does it work?

7

No, they reside in queue in your UserCP and nowhere else.

You can get popups on the screen if you wish but you have to check that option in the User CP to activate it.

8

In addition, there’s an unobtrusive note that you have them in the upper right of the board. At present, mine says:

If someone had sent me a PM, that third line would read differently:

9

I really like the PM feature. I’ve used it several times to clear up a point that I didn’t need to waste bandwidth for in a thread, for example. Easier than email, since they don’t get lost in the mass of spam, and you can be friendly to someone without destroying your carefully constructed Board persona. :smiley: