Disabled Private Messages

jasonbaum · Dec 3, 2012, 09:04 AM

I just ran into a little scenario and I wanted to see how other people felt about the issue.

A newbie posted a link without HTM tags so you have to cut and paste into a browser window.

I figured, since he was a newbie, I'd send him a quick PM with instructions on how to use composition toolbar to insert a hot link.

When I tried to send the PM, I received an error message that the user had opted out of receiving private messages.

So here I am...I spent a whole six minutes of my incredibly valuable time

to help a newbie, and therefore improve the overall quality of the forum.

My immediate thought was: it would have been nice if there was a flag that warned me not to PM him. (Perhaps there is and I just missed it or neglected to check before hand. In either event, I think my workflow was pretty straightforward and it wasn't until after I had written my epistle that I learned it was all for nought.)

Second thought: Not too long ago I was a newbie and it took me a while to figure out the nuances of posting reader-friendly messages...between quotes, uploads, links to pix and URLs...I wonder if the forums would benefit from a tutorial...perhaps something that earned newbies message credits toward the next tier of membership...If there's already one, I throw myself on the mercy of the forum. As I said..."Not too long ago I was a newbie".

Cheers!

JB

r.j.s · Dec 3, 2012, 09:11 AM

PMs are disabled until a member has 5 posts and has been a member for one day - that's why you couldn't PM them.

It's to prevent people from signing up and sending out PM spam messages.

jasonbaum · Dec 3, 2012, 09:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by r.j.s

PMs are disabled until a member has 5 posts and has been a member for one day - that's why you couldn't PM them.

It's to prevent people from signing up and sending out PM spam messages.

So much to learn and so little time...but there is a option to disable PMs from fellow members I think?

Thanks for the insight btw...I still think a small tutorial might serve the forum well regardless. JMO

annk · Dec 8, 2012, 02:51 PM

I think maybe what you're asking for is already there.

This section of the FAQ lets members know that PMs are only enabled after a member has five posts.

In this section of the FAQ there's a link to a page that explains the various tags.

Is that the sort of thing you meant?

Dec 3, 2012, 09:04 AM	#1
jasonbaum macrumors regular Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Arlington VA	Disabled Private Messages I just ran into a little scenario and I wanted to see how other people felt about the issue. A newbie posted a link without HTM tags so you have to cut and paste into a browser window. I figured, since he was a newbie, I'd send him a quick PM with instructions on how to use composition toolbar to insert a hot link. When I tried to send the PM, I received an error message that the user had opted out of receiving private messages. So here I am...I spent a whole six minutes of my incredibly valuable time to help a newbie, and therefore improve the overall quality of the forum. My immediate thought was: it would have been nice if there was a flag that warned me not to PM him. (Perhaps there is and I just missed it or neglected to check before hand. In either event, I think my workflow was pretty straightforward and it wasn't until after I had written my epistle that I learned it was all for nought.) Second thought: Not too long ago I was a newbie and it took me a while to figure out the nuances of posting reader-friendly messages...between quotes, uploads, links to pix and URLs...I wonder if the forums would benefit from a tutorial...perhaps something that earned newbies message credits toward the next tier of membership...If there's already one, I throw myself on the mercy of the forum. As I said..."Not too long ago I was a newbie". Cheers! JB
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Dec 3, 2012, 09:11 AM	#2
r.j.s Demi-God (Moderator emeritus) Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Fort Knox	PMs are disabled until a member has 5 posts and has been a member for one day - that's why you couldn't PM them. It's to prevent people from signing up and sending out PM spam messages. __________________ After the Army: no one can stay forever
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Dec 8, 2012, 02:51 PM	#4
annk macrumors goddess Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Somewhere over the rainbow	I think maybe what you're asking for is already there. This section of the FAQ lets members know that PMs are only enabled after a member has five posts. In this section of the FAQ there's a link to a page that explains the various tags. Is that the sort of thing you meant?
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