Private Messaging (MUCH different than the stickied thread!)

Hey guys, please please read this before you delete because this is NOT a continuation of the stickied Private Message thread, this is a defferent idea entirely!

Anyways, I work with a LOT of message boards, and am the operator of a few business forums, mostly phpBB (of which I have creating MOD's that actually appear on their site now, mod being new features, not moderators), but a few vBulletin as well, and I completely understand the danger with and impossibility of moderating PMs, especially on a site where certain messages could in fact cause the entire site to be disbanded, so I fully 100% agree with and support the decision to keep PMs between members disabled.

However, the #1 advantage I always found with PMs is the ability for members to speak in private with the moderators and admins regarding actions against them and/or threads. This allows such members to privately request clarification on the reasons a thread was closed, without cluttering the site with completely useless "Why was my thread closed" posts that only serve to waste server space and demonstrate a lack of reading the rules. This also allows discussion between the moderator and the member to both understand each other and solve any issue at hand.

Therefore my suggestion is that the PM system be modified (which is rather easy on vBulletin, just requires a basic understanding of the user level system) so that members can ONLY send private messages to moderators. This would remove any chance of 'hookup requests', while satisfying the need for a more appropriate way to voice concern to moderators. In addition, a new rule would probably be needed to cover any rude or abusive PMs sent to moderators that should probably result in an immediate ban.

Of course, this is ALL up to sundance, so i do hope he reads this. To members, if you read this please dont flood it with complaining and/or rude discussion; and to moderators, please by all means say whether this would help you or not. But if you disagree, please say why, and leave us room to respond and develop it into a better, working idea.

It would be nice to be able to PM mods, but we do have emails listed in our siggys or profiles to help find us. And yes, rude or threatening emails sent to mods are also considered an extension of site business and do result in disciplinary action. But your point is a very valid one, thanks.

I agree with this. I get messages from mods and i can only send one back by rep or email. Sometimes it'd just be easier to pm them. Also, it'd help keep me in touch with two of them. [Emily and StinkyAttic]

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Originally Posted by stinkyattic

It would be nice to be able to PM mods, but we do have emails listed in our siggys or profiles to help find us.

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Ah but there lies the problem... I'm sure the majority of members (myself included) would rather keep their personal email addresses completely out of the picture for security reasons, whether necessary or not. This would allow the server to keep such information private for all those involved.

Except that to sign up on sites like this and receive and respond to the confirmation link, you have to submit a viable email address. So you've already made your peace with submitting an email for communication at the time of signup. When we mods communicate with you guys via email, we mostly respond to your communications with us rather than initiate those communications. And we don't share anyone's email address ever, under any circumstances.

Still, I see your point. Sundance sees all these threads and takes them under advisement. You can trust that he'll continue to review this policy because it's constantly being suggested and re-suggested in some new way here.

(Hook 'em indeed. UT class of 1981 here (plan II BA/MA)! The eyes of Texas are upon you . . . .)

Well it's certainly easier to trust the security of a password-protected sql database than that of the word of someone you met on the internet concerning a currently illegal substance... This would ease any paranoia on that end...

(Now if only I had the work ethic to switch into Plan II Business..... however Natural Sciences has been very very helpful during my forced deferment of this last semester due to my cancer scare, so I don't really have it in me to say "Nevermind, I don't like your school" lol)