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.
otottoto Reviewed by otottoto on . 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, Rating: 5