"Write only" topic?

[Emerogork]

I need a way for users in the forum to send a private message to me as moderator of the forum.  I can only see a method if I am logged in and my username shows up in the list of users on-line.

At first I wondered if a topic can be write-only where only the user and I are the only ones able to read it.  A "Contact Me" option would work.  I wish to receive an e-mail message with a specific subject line so that my e-mail program will use a rule to sort it to a specific folder.

I can only imagine that shortly after I post this that I suddenly see it right there and obvious (-:

[Kindred]

see personal messages in the topnav menu....    users can send those to any other user, online or offline.

[Emerogork]

see personal messages in the topnav menu....    users can send those to any other user, online or offline.

Forgive me, what/where is the "topnav" menu?

What is the structure for a private message to be sent.  Is it a topic area that is write only?  Does someone create a message then select it as private?  Is there a special location they click to send the message?

The description to "Send a Personal Message" is exactly the same as sending a normal message or reply.  There seems to be nothing there to make it a private message.  The Profile/Modify Profile/Personal Messaging option seems to tell me how to receive them but how does a user enter them?

Can't it simply be an option for "Contact the Moderator"?

I found Private messages in the help menu, but it seems to be all definitions rather than directions. I found the line" Personal messages (or pms for short) are a lot like posts..."  really, pms?  At least make it PMs...

[青山 素子]

Forgive me, what/where is the "topnav" menu?

He was referring to the main forum menu. It's the one on this site directly under the avatar area on the left.

What is the structure for a private message to be sent.  Is it a topic area that is write only?  Does someone create a message then select it as private?  Is there a special location they click to send the message?

It's entirely separate from the forum area. See the "My Messages" link in the main forum menu.

The description to "Send a Personal Message" is exactly the same as sending a normal message or reply.  There seems to be nothing there to make it a private message.  The Profile/Modify Profile/Personal Messaging option seems to tell me how to receive them but how does a user enter them?

You can choose the option in the user's profile information, under the user information on their own post, or go to "My Messages" and choose "Send a message" from the drop-down menu. There is also an option to send when you are in your PM inbox.

Can't it simply be an option for "Contact the Moderator"?

There are lots of ways to title something and handle things and different forums may have different needs. As it stands, there is the PM system if you need to contact someone privately. There is also also the "report to moderator" link on each post if you feel a post needs to be reported for some reason, such as a rule violation. Note that post reporting behaves differently and goes to a special moderation area in the software.

I found Private messages in the help menu, but it seems to be all definitions rather than directions. I found the line" Personal messages (or pms for short) are a lot like posts..."  really, pms?  At least make it PMs...

See above for where the item is on the forum menu and the many other locations where you can choose to send a message.