So now we can PM everybody...and I'm not sure if I like it. Now, I'm sure you all know why it can be bad, so my question is: Was this intentional, or something that happened with the switch. If it was intentional, why was the main factor that made you decide to do it? Are you going to start scanning the posts? Searching for keywords (code, registration, number), and reading those posts? Or maybe you just think that its easy enough anyway, so we aren't going to try? (It had better not be that reason :P)
Just my thoughts.
Public Private Messaging
(26 posts) (10 voices)-
Posted 15 years ago #
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Perhaps they trust us enough not to abuse it's power? That's what I'd like to think =)
Posted 15 years ago # -
Well, I will be confident too.
However, I hope that everyone who is flooded with spam or abused by another user will report it immediately. And I hope that the admins and mods will have powerful instruments to stop malpractice.Posted 15 years ago # -
My experiences with PM have basically been positive. Even the board where I admin, there has been little spamming through PMs. I think in the 4 years I've been admin, it's only happened about 3 or 4 times. In each case, it is reported quickly by a user and all the spam PMs removed with a single command. The last one was the really stupid one. All of his spam PMs were to staff members - no general users were caught at all.
I am confident that most of the users will use this tool wisely and as notblocklox said, the staff will handle any jerks promptly and effectively.
Diane
Posted 15 years ago # -
It wasn't spamming that I was worried about, it was giving out codes, due to the nature of this site. I just hope that there will be some security that doesn't just involve reporting, because then it will happen. I hate to say this, but trust doesn't suffice everybody. I don't think its very many of you (I really have no guesses), but it could happen.
Just my thoughts.Posted 15 years ago # -
It wasn't spamming that I was worried about, it was giving out codes, due to the nature of this site. I just hope that there will be some security that doesn't just involve reporting, because then it will happen. I hate to say this, but trust doesn't suffice everybody. I don't think its very many of you (I really have no guesses), but it could happen.
Just my thoughts.Believe me, I know EXACTLY what you are talking about and it is a difficult issue. The board to which I referred has that problem with illegal sharing of cross-stitch patterns through PMs.
There are tools but they vary depending on the software used. In many cased, you simply have to depend on honest users letting the staff know if they hear of anything underhanded like this. I believe that the staff (like ours does) will keep such contacts in confidence.
Diane
Posted 15 years ago # -
I've got so use to not being able to pm other users that now I don't know what to say! LOL Really though it is a good idea.
Archangel
Posted 15 years ago # -
The ability to share your PM's with multiple users is a new one on me. I've never seen it before.
I like it.
:)
WR
Posted 15 years ago # -
WR....really? Wow, I'm surprised. I can't think of any other forum I've participated in where you can't pm other users/members. Hmm. But I like it too! And I am sooooo glad for the spell checker. (Hey Copmom.....guess you just lost your job.....hee hee).
Notclocklox.....Love your photo....you could be in a beauty contest :D
BKPosted 15 years ago # -
giving out codes
You know that I always tried to prevent fraudulent use of codes and illegal sharing, however when the GOTD team is willing to take the risks, why shouldn't I do it?
I think besides those illegal activities my main concern is to protect the users from abuse. We had that problem, not so long ago.
Therefore I will always delete abusive comments without any discussion and warning.As all PMs are stored on the server, I think there will be the possibility to set some filters.
graylox
Posted 15 years ago # -
Over all the forums that I am a member of, I have never been spammed through PM so I don't think that will be a problem. I don't think the code thing will be real trouble either. There might be one or two incidents in the beginning but in the long run, it won't be a big problem. As notafoxyblock has implied, there are ways to detect such things.
Posted 15 years ago # -
One thing that all users should be aware of. Although some board software have mods to allow staff (at some pre-defined level) to read other PMs, there is a way that PMs can be read by a very limited number of people that cannot be blocked.
If someone has access to the database itself, they have access to PMs. Some may think of it as a violation of privacy but it can also be thought of as a way to protect copyright. I'm not saying pro or on on the idea. I'm simply saying that it can be done with any board software so keep that in mind when you send a PM. It is not YOUR message. It belongs to the owners of the board and they can claim the right to read it!
Posted 15 years ago # -
Buckleysmom, Rabbit was referring to the fact that in the middle of a pm string with someone, you can add someone else to the conversation and they will get the whole conversation. Very convenient if some form of confrontation is going on that mods/admin need to be aware of.
Posted 15 years ago # -
Thanks for bringing that up Dragonlair. I don't know of any forum software that doesn't allow admins and others with correct permissions to read PM's.
Posted 15 years ago # -
As with email - never say anything in a PM that you wouldn't say to someone else in person.
Just as with email or SMS - nothing you say via PM can be considered truly private. Admins and staff etc could have full access to review messages, and any participant can add others to the conversation - passing your comments onto those you had not anticipated - even months after the discussion had taken place.
Be warned and very careful. The same rules apply to PMs (in terms of content) as apply to general forum posts.
Posted 15 years ago # -
Thats what I wanted to hear :P My concerns are closed, thanks.
Now who wants in on a giant, multi-person PM? (Possibly word association?)Posted 15 years ago # -
Had previously researched this forum about private messages. Just did it again. Learned at on point PMs by/between members was not permitted. But then read it's now okay. But seems I am doing something incorrectly and can't figure out what it is. Recently sent a PM to a gotd member and received the following at my email address:
"Hello, SeniorCitizen!
SeniorCitizen has sent you a private message entitled "Thank You" on Giveaway of the Day Forums!
To read it now, go to the following address: ..."
More than once I've sent a PM to myself and can not figure out what I'm doing incorrectly. If there is anything on this forum that explains PMs simply, would appreciate it if someone would post the forum link. Thank you in advance.
Posted 14 years ago # -
PM's always come back in your e-mail address saying that you sent one to yourself. I think it's just a flaw in their system. I'm sure you did it correctly. I always "send pm's to myself." The easiest way to send a PM is to look at the person's name over on the left. You'll notice under the name there is a link that says PM this user. Just click it and you're on your way. Feel free to practice with me if you'd like.
Posted 14 years ago # -
Also, you can check your new private messages by navigating to the top of the page. Next to Logout, there is a link for Private Messages.
Posted 14 years ago # -
Just sent you a private message wizzard. Now I will see if GOTD sends me an email that I've sent myself a PM! Thank you kindly for helping me.
On another note, if I'm logged on and go from forums to the free giveaway website is there a way for me to sign out on that site? And, if I don't sign out what will happen. Have never understood why someone has to sign out.
Posted 14 years ago # -
Really, the only real reason why you would want to sign out is if someone else uses your computer and would be able to change some of your information. I never sign out of my sites.
Posted 14 years ago # -
Hey wizzard, you're a life-saver! Now I realize I no longer have to sign out anywhere because I'm the only person who uses my computer. And now I understand why when I tried to send you a PM that your profile shows you were here for something like 93 hours. Said to myself "Geeeeze, how could they stay awake for soooo long?"
Oh, I have not as yet received an email from GOTD that I sent myself an email.
Posted 14 years ago # -
There are some sites where you may want to sign out. Many keep you as signed on for a time (determined by the site) even if you shut down your browser. If the site is active, you may miss out on some new posts doing this.
That being said, the only site I do explicitly log off of is the EMS Cross Stitch Board because I'm the primary admin and don't want to get into the habit of depending on "Remember Me".
Posted 14 years ago # -
The 93 hours is the accumulated time that I've spent actually on the site over the last 6 months or so. The forums have to be actually open on your internet browser for it to keep track of the time. It has nothing to do with signing out.
Posted 14 years ago # -
I was checking into the accumulated time a month or so back. I think it started when the forums wupgraded. Also I don't think it's entrirely dictated by having your browser open because I sometimes leave the browser open for several hours at a time while i'm on one of the other computers, but it never accumulates the whole time. It seems to be based on actual activity in the forums. If you are inactive for more than a minute or two it stops recording the time you are active.
I also rarely sign myself out. The giveaway site seens to automatically log you out after about 10-15 minutes if you close your browser. I've closed it then reopened it over short periods and I've still been logged in, but llonger periods and I am always logged out. :)
W.R.
Posted 14 years ago # -
I always keep the remember me button ticked and I stay logged in until i manually logout or delete my cookies.
Posted 14 years ago #
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