I just confirmed with Larry that we're going to build a way for users to send private messages to one another, but the recipient will be able to flag the message as spam/abuse.
We don't know yet exactly what it will look like, but it's on the "to-do" list.
I think that mods and admins should (and probably WILL) be able to check out the PM's users send oneanother and that just fine with me! =D
Honest people have nothing to hide... and when people want to talk about REALLY private matters that even the mods and admins shouldn't know about because they're -you know, errr- 'rivate', then people can always exchange email adresses and do it that way!
And those email adresses can then be send through the PM for instance... there, problem solved!
Knight here, I believe there really is no point in private messaging if others will be able to see. Then again, that is why one should take clandestine matters off-site.
To everyone asking about moderator intervention: For our user's privacy sake, we won't actively monitor private messages looking for troublemakers -- in some states, that's actually against the law.
If you flag something as inappropriate, we'll likely let you specify "why" (examples: spam, abusive, foul language, or types of comments that are against our user policies, etc), but maybe the type of flag will determine whether we have permission to view the message thread.
Frankly, I don't know that we as admins/mods *want* to see your message threads unless you really need us to. I think if it's just spam or someone bugging you or annoying you, we'll probably give you an option to just ban them from sending you messages in the future, and users you ban won't know your messages aren't getting through (we call it a "black hole" in the world of web development). Maybe we'll keep track of how many users flag you as a spammer, and restrict who you can send PMs to or something, I dunno.
However, if someone sends something abusive, we'd definitely want to take action, but we'd likely need explicit permission to see the message thread.
Admins aren't always around to delete messages; in fact, it's really not their job.
Correct, but there may be cases where even our mods aren't sure about what to do, especially when things relate to complying with law enforcement.
As for cleaning up your messages, you'll be responsible for deleting your own messages, or we may opt to delete them after a long period of time.
Keep the suggestions coming on this. We've only just started talking about PM's this week, so we're happy to hear everyone's thoughts.
I think that the option suggested by cormyn is exactly the one that should be used as a PM system for the AG3 version, simply because it will be the safest to use in this way...
...users can use the PM system in private (like it's sopposed to be) and when they need help, they can adress the mods/admins and give them (maybe one time only) permission to check it and/or handle it!
Sound the most solid to me!
I wonder: will it be implemented as a 'fixed feature' on every AG page you will open, or will it only be accessable through your personal profile? :/
I'm not sure how we'll build it. I think the pages will look too cluttered if there's a "rivate message" link or icon next to every username, but since every username will be a link to their profile, we'll probably add a page on your profile that says "Send MrDayCee a Private Message" or something along those lines.
I don't think we'd send an Email for every private message sent. We might do it as part of a daily digest or something, because we don't want to get flagged as a spamming service. We'd likely also make this a configurable option for users (maybe off by default too) as to whether to receive an Email when a PM is sent.
I don't think we'd send an Email for every private message sent. We might do it as part of a daily digest or something, because we don't want to get flagged as a spamming service. We'd likely also make this a configurable option for users (maybe off by default too) as to whether to receive an Email when a PM is sent.
Yea i hate getting an email for stuff like that. Best to use a check box.
