PM Support

[SoLoGHoST]

Actually, placing "*" in the ignore list works wonders

Not in RC2 it doesn't.

I should know; it didn't work for me when I tried it here earlier.

Well, maybe it has worked Arantor, since I've been blocked or was that intentional?

Well, just wanted to say I agree with the post, however, I barely get any PM's for support so I suppose that's why I don't care.  But on a serious note, I understand why you guys have it in your sig.

Anyways, +1.

[H]

I actually don't get too many of these PMs, perhaps I'm scary?!
I like the idea though. Here is a mockup

[bullbreedluverz]

thats right along the lines i was suggesting H

[SoLoGHoST]

Looks good H!

[narqelion]

Again, let me state I think it's a ridiculous *solution* and I use the word loosely.  As several of the posters in this topic have stated it's not even that big of an issue, i.e. "I don't get many of these PM's" so why would you do something so silly as clutter up the new PM window even more than it is with a message that may or may not even apply depending on the intent of the person composing the message?  Is the software psychic?  Can it somehow tell that if I go into the compose PM window I am going to send an unsolicited PM to someone for support?  Unless it is something that can be disabled on a per user basis I think it will annoy many more users than it *helps*, why would you want to annoy users with some sort of warning that doesn't even apply to them?   

p.s. What exactly was wrong with the previous posters suggestions to either ignore the unsolicited PM's or use the tools available to block them in the first place?  I am very disappointed that all it seems to take to change something globally here is one posters reluctance to use the tools available in the software and instead expect the board to change to accommodate their wishes.   Guess I won't being using the PM system on this board as the last thing I want to see is a useless warning aimed at the very people who won't read it, at the top of every window.    I freaking hope the software development process isn't handled the same irresponsible way, without taking more than a handful of viewpoints into consideration.   

[H]

You'll only see the warning when you create a new message. It is automatically hidden for replies.
Given that some people are getting 10+ PMs per day, this is a perfectly valid solution in my opinion. Blocking PMs from everyone makes it hard to get PMs that are not for support!

Surely if you're a heavy communicator you'll be able to contact people via e-mail or IM anyway!

[narqelion]

It's not a solution at all.  The people who send unsolicited PM's generally don't give a fig whether you want them or not, hence just as today when they ignore text statements plastered in peoples signatures they will continue to ignore any text no matter where you plaster it.  All you succeed in doing by adding that to the PM window is clutter/fuglify it up and  and annoy those of us who don't want to look at a GUI with content that doesn't apply to the activity at hand.  Using your logic, why don't you just put the entire site rules text in there too while you're at it?  Maybe if you put them in 20 other spots all over the GUI you can increase their effectiveness, except that's not how it works.  In fact I would venture a guess that the opposite will happen.  The more you tell someone NOT to do something, statistically the more often they will.    There is a reason you can block PM's and set filters on them, I would suggest the software be used as it was intended to be used rather than relying on unenforceable verbiage.   

[H]

If a message like that really bothers you so much, you must be incredibly fussy. However, there should be a custom profile field so you can switch it off

[bullbreedluverz]

There is a reason you can block PM's and set filters on them

so how do you suggest i set the filter to block unsolicited pm's for support from the 1s seeking custom themes that i make that i actually want to recieve

having a small note at the top of the pm box isnt that obtusive, ive used a mod in the past that had a similar message on the post box and i dont remember anyone complaining about it destroying the whole look of the post box and making them wish to leave my site but it did make people think before they posted

any measure that can help prevent people pm'in  when people dont wish them to isnt a bad thing, even if it dont stop them all but prevents some then thats a good thing

[narqelion]

LMAO!  Incredibly detail oriented per my job requirements as a software engineering professional.  If you want to paraphrase that as *fussy* be my guest.    The fact of the matter is your solution is simply bad design from a UI standpoint.   The only UI content that is appropriate for any particular window is that which is contextual, meaning 100% relevant to the task being performed.    The text you are going to include is not contextual, it's not 100% relevant.  The only time it's relevant is if the user is attempting to PM someone for unsolicited support, which you have know way of knowing. 

The bottom line here is the issue of PM spam, not even necessarily support related to be honest.  If you have a board wide rule against sending unsolicited PM's then it belongs wherever those rules are published not buried in the user interface.  To the OP, if unsolicited PM's bother you so much do as I and many others here have suggested, use the built in filter tools available, ignore them or report them to the staff.   Either of those three options will be more effective in the long run than implementing a useless GUI change. 

[Arantor]

I think you've missed a little of where we're coming from.

Some of us in this thread that are suggesting/in favour of it... ARE the staff. As a result we have been known to receive dozens, even hundreds of PMs for support when that's what the boards are for.

You can't just block everyone (in fact, you can't use the ignore list to block everyone; * is not an option; you have to use 'receive from Administrators Only' in the main PM area) because there are genuine times you WILL need PMs, e.g. sensitive material, questionable sites.

You also can't just block everyone who would PM you; because you just end up filling your PM block list. I've personally found a slightly tactless and blunt message with a pointer to the right answer (though, not TOO far to the right answer) is often best, if people do PM me.


@SoLoGHoST: The reason you wouldn't have been able to PM me is because I blocked all PMs. Also discovered the forum's policy about trying to delete accounts. Very interesting time was had by all.

[bullbreedluverz]

point being too - why should we have to ignore these pm's, have to delete message after mssage that we never invited, prevention is better than cure as the saying goes

even ignoring pms is annoying as i still see them, i still see the same person send several pm's in a row because i ignored there first 1, i still have to look at the pm's as i recieve them, i dont know what they say till ive read them and they could be asking for a theme to be made so every new 1 has to be read - it can become frustrating and draining to be "harassed" in pm and it was mentioned report people for pm'in, pm's arent against site rules so what do you report people for, for using a system they are allowed to use

[Arantor]

One thing I will say: if this means one unwanted PM is saved, it's done its job.

[bullbreedluverz]

One thing I will say: if this means one unwanted PM is saved, it's done its job.

my point exactly

[narqelion]

I think you've missed a little of where we're coming from.

No I don't think I have.  You still think the current scenario will somehow work better if you are allowed to beat all users composing a new PM over the head with it.   It won't, but sometimes people have to make their own mistakes rather than taking lessons from those who have already lived and learned.  Go for it. 

Some of us in this thread that are suggesting/in favour of it... ARE the staff. As a result we have been known to receive dozens, even hundreds of PMs for support when that's what the boards are for.

You are preaching to the choir dear boy.  I have received thousands upon thousands of unsolicited PM's and emails and even IM invitations over the years,  you can say don't do it a thousand different ways, in a thousand different places and in a thousand different languages, it will not matter.  And that is my point.  Posting a rule/guideline directed at people who do not read the rules to begin with is nothing more than an exercise in futility.  Ever played whack-a-mole?  Same concept here, you never get the mole you just destroy your lawn.  Don't destroy the GUI trying to stop something you cannot stop.  Set a board rule, enforce it.  Users who get unwanted PM's have free will, they can ignore them and delete any they didn't ask for, they can even setup rules to manage them automatically afaik,  they can report them to the staff so the user who sent them can get a warning.  I have found that simply ignoring them or even reporting (people who do not follow the board rules) them to the board staff is far more effective at stopping infractions than bludgeoning every user over the head with the rules at every turn.

**edit**
and again...

The bottom line here is the issue of PM spam, not even necessarily support related to be honest. If you have a board wide rule against sending unsolicited PM's then it belongs wherever those rules are published not buried in the user interface.

[SleePy]

You can hide the warning via your look and layout profile.

[narqelion]

You can hide the warning via your look and layout profile.

Already done, thank you.  Thank you for the free entertainment though, still cracking up over this implementation as is it effectively rendered useless out of the gate with the ability to disable it.  LOL. 

[SleePy]

You can hide the warning via your look and layout profile.

Already done, thank you.  Thank you for the free entertainment though, still cracking up over this implementation as is it effectively rendered useless out of the gate with the ability to disable it.  LOL. 

Not useless as those who are have not read anything, most likely haven't setup their profile either.

[bullbreedluverz]

by the very nature that you have disabled this message then you have acknowledged its there and therefore if you then pm me for support you have chosen to ignore the notice you have disabled which means you have deliberately chosen to disregard what are essentially my wishes to not be pm'd and the wishes of the smf staff for them and members of the site to not be pm'd without being asked to and as such then if people do pm for support then you have a valid reason to

a) tell them to F*$% Off
and/or
b) report them

[narqelion]

Not useless as those who are have not read anything, most likely haven't setup their profile either.

Again, that kind of proves my whole point, the people like me who find it annoying clutter will disable it but we are not the ones who send the unsolicited PM's the ones who will just ignore it as is are.  Priceless. 

@stikkki, those were all valid reasons before the silly GUI change as you quite clearly stated your preference in your signature, except you are missing option C, which is simply to ignore them.