Private Messaging

Do we really need a private messaging system when the forum is working well. My point is people have elected not to participate in the forum but choose to use the private messaging system to continue participating with other members. I think this is wrong and creates a more negative forum with groupies taking their own charge.

Joe if someone is going to use private messaging only what use is there for the open forum?

Solution: everyone must openly post to be allowed to send a private message.

Snake Pliskin said:

Do we really need a private messaging system when the forum is working well. My point is people have elected not to participate in the forum but choose to use the private messaging system to continue participating with other members. I think this is wrong and creates a more negative forum with groupies taking their own charge.

Joe if someone is going to use private messaging only what use is there for the open forum?

Solution: everyone must openly post to be allowed to send a private message.

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Snake:

I totally disagree. Sometimes private messages might be concerned with something that is simply not the business of everyone on the forum.
That doesn't mean that members using this facility do not participate fully in the forum. I can't see any connection one with the other.

Julia

Julia said:

Snake:

I totally disagree. Sometimes private messages might be concerned with something that is simply not the business of everyone on the forum.
That doesn't mean that members using this facility do not participate fully in the forum. I can't see any connection one with the other.

Julia

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There are people doing this, that`s why I`ve brought it up!

The first part of your opinion I agree with, which is the purpose of having the private messaging system.

Snake

this has nothing 2 do with this thread so i apologise...

but can sum1 pls help me, i 4got how to post a new thread...

thanks..

Snake,

All kinds of people frequent ASF. Some of them feel comfortable posting, some of them don't. This could be for a variety of reasons - some of them might want to reveal personal information to others that they don't want revealed on a public forum, others may feel intimidated by their lack of knowledge or experience... others are simply reluctant to contribute for other reasons and I don't think it's my place to question why. I'm just happy that people get something out of ASF on whatever level they choose to enjoy it on.

I think the private message system helps maintain a certain level of privacy and confidentiality while still allowing those who wish to contibute publically to do so. In fact, I would rather keep personal discussions off the main forums as I think there is a lot to be said for keeping the forums focussed and on topic. The PM system allows members to go off on tangets or discuss certain issues in private that perhaps they may not be too comfortable with discussing in public.

However if this is an issue that you feel strongly about I'd be interested in the views of other members on this issue. Others may feel the same way....

I urge anyone with strong views on this issue to please speak their mind in this thread.

nizar said:

this has nothing 2 do with this thread so i apologise...

but can sum1 pls help me, i 4got how to post a new thread...

thanks..

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nizar,

Simply enter the forum you would like to start the thread in and click on the 'New Thread' button, which you will find towards the top left of your screen.

Joe Blow said:

I urge anyone with strong views on this issue to please speak their mind in this thread.

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or send a private message.... :

sorry, couldn't resist

I rarely use the private messaging - but think it is great to have there.
Say someone of a like mind is in the same city and you want to meet for a coffee / beer - you don't want addresses etc on the public forum. (I've never done this - but just 'thinking out loud')

Joe gets our addresses for winning the stock tipping forum via PM (bragging rights! Only won once!!)

It's a necessary facility IMO.

Personally I think the PM system should stay as it is.

Amongst other things, I really don't think that many would be even slightly interested in some of the detailed information I've provided to individuals via the PM system. Also I think many would have been too embarassed to have publicly asked the questions I was answering.

This is a stocks forum primarily, but there are a LOT of things which are in some way relevant to an individual stock. But, apart from the individuals who have asked me, does anyone else really want to know the precise details of, for example, how electrolytic zinc smelters work? Those things are relevant to stocks in some way but of very limited interest to most.

If someone wants to know something then I'm happy to provide an answer but they're likely to be the only one who wants to know. It seems likely to irritate others if, for example, the ZFX thread turns into a chemistry lesson just because one person wants to know how the process actually works. Of course there is some financial benefit in knowing since such thorough knowledge enables you to understand exactly what influences their profits, but it's way off the general subject matter of a stocks forum.

I've also disclosed some personal details via the PM system and there is simply no way that I would have posted such information.

So I think it should stay as it is unless there is clear evidence of abuse in which case just ban the relevant individuals.

Totally agree with others,
The pm should stay so when people feel like carrying on like two bob watches at least the only time wasted is theirs and not everyone elses. :goodnight

Forget I brought it up.....

A misinterpretation of its use was the issue, not its existence.

Julia,

It is as cold as hell (an oxymoron - I know) over here at the moment.

Snake

Hi Snake

Snake Pliskin said:

Forget I brought it up.....

A misinterpretation of its use was the issue, not its existence.

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Re your above quote, I thought you were also questioning its existence by the comment you made in your original post:

Do we really need a private messaging system when the forum is working well.

Click to expand...

I think the PM system is handy for people like tech/a and moneytree to go toe-to-toe with each other in private rather than fill up threads with childish sniping posts.

But I've also helped a few people in PM with further info/thoughts regarding topics/concepts discussed in posts which are more of a personal nature and not necessarily suitable for public display.

But overall, I prefer to keep discussions in the public forums but I can see the benefits of PM for reasons mentioned by others in earlier posts and so I feel it should be retained for those wishing to use it.

cheers

bullmarket

Also, as an oldie, could I ask that posters (eg Nizar) use normal english when they post and not the sms type English! I spend so much time interpreting the SMS stuff I lose the gist of the message! It really doesnt take any longer when you are typing with more than just your thumbs, so please???