Regarding Private Messages

[Citizen Bleys]

For those of you who haven't read RazorHeart215's LOVELY little goodbye thread (which had to remain closed because leaving threads aren't allowed ;)), we've had a little incident lately, in which members contacted the staff (One contacted BoB, and the other contacted me) regarding a problem they had with other users in the Private Messaging system.

First of all, I think that people are getting the wrong idea of the purpose of the staff here. We are the police--we're not mom and dad, and it's not always appropriate for us to get involved.

Now, this involved Private Messages. Notice the Private. Where there's a reasonable expectation of privacy, I feel constrained to respect that. In this case, both parties allowed the staff to see the messages in question, so warnings were issued to both parties due to their conduct.

Ultimately, though, what goes on in PMs is none of our business. I personally don't care if amenable members are swapping porn in PMs, as long as both parties are OK with it. The board has an ignore feature, and if somebody is harassing you via PM, then you can simply ignore them.

There are exceptions of course--but they're logical ones. If somebody threatens you over PM, and you have reason to believe it's serious, I'd appreciate notice, so that I can keep an eye on that person (I can't take action unless that person agrees to let me view their PMs, but I'd still like to be aware of potential problems in advance). You should also notify the police, because uttering threats is a felony in most countries. The staff will, of course, cooperate with police in such a matter. Professional courtesy, you see ;)

Another one is if staff are involved. Since users cannot ignore staffers, we must be held to a higher standard of behavior. If a moderator is needlessy rude or abusive, you *should* go over their head. As long as I'm an administrator, I will not put anyone on my ignore list, so you can come to me any time. (If I'm the problem, talk to Shlup) If all 3 admins are the problem, I suppose you'd have to go to Sean, but I haven't discussed this with him at this point, so my advice would be to keep on notifying moderators until somebody DOES resolve the issue.

If there are any questions, comments, or suggestions on anybody's part, I'd appreciate the feedback.

[HOOTERS]

*puts everyone on ignore list*

Problem solved.

[Ultima Seraph]

I've never had any problems, but I want to say this:

I am very pleased and impressed with these forums. The amount of care that admins and mods show is absolutely unbelievable for me.

[crono_logical]

Originally posted by Hootenanny
*puts everyone on ignore list*

Problem solved. That'd make it hard for you to read threads, since I believe ignoring PMs also hides their posts by default :p

[m4tt]

Originally posted by Hootenanny
*puts everyone on ignore list*

Problem solved.
Nice work, now you can't see anyone's posts but your own! So you can't even see this, neat.

Hootenanny likes little boys. ;)

My views on this issue are pretty much the same as Bleys'. Private messages are private. If the sender/reciever want to share that is their business. Staff shouldn't have to get involved in any of that.

[Citizen Bleys]

It's also possible to turn private messaging clear off, which I've done before, briefly.

[Erdrick Holmes]

Question if somebody eggs you on through PM just to get on your case and wont stop if you ask them should I tell a mod?

[Citizen Bleys]

No, you should block them.

I'll deal with PM-related disputes if both parties agree to let me read the PMs, but unless there's a good reason for it, I'll be REALLY REALLY CRANKY about it.

[eestlinc]

even if you don't block someone's PMs you can always just <i>not read them</i>.

[The Man]

Originally posted by Hootenanny
*puts everyone on ignore list*

Problem solved. That's the best post I've read all day. xD

[edczxcvbnm]

I would say just blocking the member is a dumb idea. Just because they might be a jerk to you doesn't mean they don't have good advice from time to time for one's eyes to view on the forum. Can't you split the block to only PMs?

It doesn't matter to me because I don't get PMs from people and if I do it takes me forever to reply. Although I have a feeling that Eyes on YOU is about to make a comeback soon. OOOOOH SO SOON!

[Yamaneko]

I like it when people PM me with crap. It gives me a special feeling inside when I delete it.

[PhoenixAsh]

I agree with Ed that it's a silly idea to block people because threads won't always make sense after that.

What are we actually meant to be discussing though? It seems pretty clear what the policy is unless your expecting us to demand that you act as mom and dad.

I think maybe there should be a rule that after a certain number of posts is exceeded that you can't simply not read them without being inconvienienced that a mod should be involved. Like after X amount of posts unprovoked then a member can go to a mod and complain.

[Dr Unne]

I agree that what goes on in PMs isn't anyone's business. Not sure what the problem is. If two people can't stand each other, they shouldn't talk to each other. It's not hard to stop PMing someone rudely, or to ignore PMs you get from someone rude.

[Citizen Bleys]

If you put someone on your ignore list, their posts still show up in the threads, but as links. It's been a long time since I've ignored anyone on ANY vBulletin, but I think it says the poster's name, and then a link that says "click here to read this post"

Of course, that was what it said at FG (I used to have Sugpo blocked there before he was staff), and we all know that Aaron doesn't hack his board at all, so it's always a good indication of the way it works elsewhere. But still, the basic functionality should be pretty near identical.

[MecaKane]

*blocks Unne*
This person is on your Ignore List. To view this post click [here]
EDIT: It doesn't show the links in the posting part, though. :o

[Citizen Bleys]

Meaning that you can't quote a reply? No worries, copy and paste.

[Del Murder]

Another solution would be to <b>not let stuff bother us</b>.

[Yamaneko]

Originally posted by Del Murder
Another solution would be to <b>not let stuff bother us</b>.
Yeah, but then this place would be dead.

[PhoenixAsh]

Seems fairly sorted then, block anyone who's bugging you. Were we meant to be talking about anything else?

[Mr. Graves]

I've never ignored anyone in during my time at EoFF. I've gotten a few odd PMs from newbies...If they seemed too odd I just wouldn't respond. As long as people know what the ignore member feature does, It would help.

Maybe having it in the rules page would help, If it isn't there already.

[MecaKane]

Originally posted by Citizen Bleys
Meaning that you can't quote a reply? No worries, copy and paste.
No, Just that when you go to post, you know how the posts are all at the bottem of the thing you write it, it doesn't have the link there. Nothing really important, though. All the buttons are there when you view an ignored post, so I guess it'll work.

[Shlup]

Sometimes you people make me feel like I'm back at work with my preschoolers, I swear to God guys. -_-

Either ignore the person, or just don't read the PMs. I don't want to hear it, you're big kids and you can solve your own problems.

(And, yes, I do realize that everyone who has posted basically agrees that Private Messages are indeed private, but I wanted to bitch and moan anyway. So there! :p)

[eestlinc]

the only time i get annoying PMs is when some newbie send out the "come join my forum" crap. or when Faris the Guy PMed me. Too bad he can't do that anymore.

[Big D]

If someone's being needlessly and aggressively abusive through PMs, then a complaint to staff should be an option. No reason someone should be able to flame just because it's meant to be 'private', in my opinion.

However, common sense and maturity should be enough to resolve most problems.

'Ignore' is such a wonderful word.

[angel]

Honestly bleys i didn't want to swap porn with jenova.afterbirth...... he made me!

:eek:

ofcource this is meant as a joke and is not true.

No bleys stop peeking in his PM box for pr0n


.. yes pm's are private and anybody violating that should be given an enima followed by a rectal insertion of a huge basketball...
that should solve the problem :)

[Peegee]

What has worked before should still work. I suggest no change in the 'rules' of PM

[eestlinc]

there was no problem until RazorRamone created a problem. He's banned, problem solved.

[Spatvark]

*was about to launch into his usual line in the staff forum, but just remembered he's not supposed to swear here*

[Citizen Bleys]

Originally posted by eestlinc
the only time i get annoying PMs is when some newbie send out the "come join my forum" crap. or when Faris the Guy PMed me. Too bad he can't do that anymore.

Yeah, that's a real shame. *bans him again*

[Nait]

Originally posted by MecaKane
*blocks Unne*
This person is on your Ignore List. To view this post click [here]
EDIT: It doesn't show the links in the posting part, though. :o


Ok, this is a really weird coincidence, because I have had Unne on ignore for WEEKS. *high-five*

[The Captain]

"I am very pleased and impressed with these forums. The amount of care that admins and mods show is absolutely unbelievable for me."

I just wanted to second that sentiment. All the mods and Administrators have been doing a wonderful job in my opinion and I think that they deserve praise to no end.

In general everyone here means well and I like to think of us as one big old family, but in every family there are always some bad eggs, so sometimes the necessary precautions are needed, such as banning or just ignoring them. I think so long as everyone keeps their heads about them and as Del said, "Not let stuff bother us", we'll all be okay.

*Gives praise to no end to all deserving people*

Take care all.

[Shiroi Kumo]

What if Sean is the problem?

[eestlinc]

then you PM Shlup and she will go kick his ass.

[Diakarma]

i came across razorhearts thread while i was looking through general chat... i think that if you are getting hassle from someone on the board you should try to sort it out and if that fails, ask one of the staff members to have a word.

im new, and if i didn't find this thread i wouldn't now about the block button so if i got trouble i woudn't know how to block them!

i think it was a bit harsh banning razorheart just for posting a leaving thread.

well thats what i think!!

[Big Ogre Umaro]

Originally posted by The Man
That's the best post I've read all day. xD didn't you leave? Why are you still posting?

[Del Murder]

I can't wait for the reply to this one.

[RSL]

i think it was a bit harsh banning razorheart just for posting a leaving thread.


That wasn't the reason he was banned. We don't ban people just because they post an "I'm leaving" thread. We simply close them and tell them that they are not allowed.

Besides, someone posting an "I'm leaving" thread isn't going to be here anymore, so it matters not.

[Raistlin]

*waits with Del*

Popcorn?

[Citizen Bleys]

Originally posted by Shiroi Kumo
What if Sean is the problem?

Then maybe YOU can hire...The A-Team.

[The Man]

Originally posted by BOU
didn't you leave? Why are you still posting? 'Cause you're not an admin anymore.

Use ignore if it bothers you so much. xP

[Raistlin]

Well that was anti-climatic.

[Diakarma]

That wasn't the reason he was banned. We don't ban people just because they post an "I'm leaving" thread. We simply close them and tell them that they are not allowed.

well i've known razorheart for a while (from other ff boards) and whenever he says he's leaving... he doesn't, he always comes back... so pleae un-ban him :love:

[Citizen Bleys]

No.

[Big Ogre Umaro]

Originally posted by The Man
'Cause you're not an admin anymore.

Use ignore if it bothers you so much. xP buuuurrrrrnnnnn