Making people aware of the private message function?

[Alpha1]

I still see people sending private messages with addresses, monetary values and all sorts as profile posts for all to see rather than private messages.

Can something be done about it? I haven't looked to see if I can see bank details but something needs to be done.

 

[Paul]

I can switch them off completeyl if they arent adding any value.

However I think that the key is Education. Will see what i can do

 

[Fubar]

I don't think the profile posts serve much point, seems like they are more harmful than helpful really.

 

[Alpha1]

I can switch them off completeyl if they arent adding any value.

However I think that the key is Education. Will see what i can do

I'd agree, education should fix it and stop people posting their private information such as address and phone number in public.

Very insightful though, you see all the people responding to wanted ads with 5 figure requests for WPC titles and the people that make silly offers on games for sale!

 

[Marvello]

I pointed this out years ago, feels like eavesdropping and really not sure what the point of them are.

Thread 'Profile posts'

Jan 14, 2017

I've noticed a few people doing Profile Posts which show up on the Forums front page when it looks like they should be sending a Private Message. Every time I see one it feels like I'm eavesdropping on a conversation and there could be private information like phone numbers inadvertently published

I've gone to another user's profile and there is a 'Write something...' box so can see why it is happening.

• Marvello
• Replies: 1
• Forum: General Pinball Discussion

 

[cmrl9]

I'd agree, education should fix it and stop people posting their private information such as address and phone number in public.

Very insightful though, you see all the people responding to wanted ads with 5 figure requests for WPC titles and the people that make silly offers on games for sale!

Was just having a look didn't know it was there.

11k for a twighlight zone is it gold plated and delivered in a rolls Royce with a bottle of Louis xi in the coin door

 

[Bobbdobalina]

Was just having a look didn't know it was there.

11k for a twighlight zone is it gold plated and delivered in a rolls Royce with a bottle of Louis xi in the coin door

I didn’t realise either. So if you send a private message to another member it gets displayed for everyone to see?
Am I missing something?

 

[Marvello]

I didn’t realise either. So if you send a private message to another member it gets displayed for everyone to see?
Am I missing something?

Profile posts are public, 'Send/start direct message" is private.

I could understand a user wanting to add something to their own profile posts for all to see, what I don't understand is allowing others to post to your profile. I think that's where the confusion lies.

 

[Bobbdobalina]

Profile posts are public, 'Send/start direct message" is private.

I could understand a user wanting to add something to their own profile post for all to see, what I don't understand is allowing others to post to your profile. I think that's where the confusion lies.

Ahh get ya. Agree though, very strange.

 

[Alpha1]

Ahh get ya. Agree though, very strange.

I think people think they're sending private messages without realising they're public.

 

[cyberkryten]

Assume everything you do on the internet is public, that way you won't be caught out later when it is...

 

[JT.]

When we talk about 'training' here, what are we thinking? Use their account details to sign them up to direct debit payments to the RSPCA or a Ukrainian Refugee charity maybe?

 

[Calimori]

My experience is that people won’t read, or take training so removing the functionally is the only way to protect folks.
But if people are reading, never share bank details or phone numbers unless absolutely sure it is private.

 

[kev a]

About the only thing I could think it would be useful for is as a place to leave feedback when buying/selling?

 

[Alpha1]

About the only thing I could think it would be useful for is as a place to leave feedback when buying/selling?

There's plugins for that, we use one on ukvac: https://www.ukvac.com/forum/feedback/alpha1.4/

 

[kev a]

There's plugins for that, we use one on ukvac: https://www.ukvac.com/forum/feedback/alpha1.4/

Yeah I really like the one on UKVAC

After a while you sort of figure out the good eggs (by far most people here) but for newbies its a bit daunting sending money without having an easy way to verify someone might be trustworthy, without trawling through posts.

 

[lukewells]

I can't find any interesting posts on peoples profiles

I'm wondering what someone else has seen that prompted concern for this now

 

[kev a]

I can't find any interesting posts on peoples profiles

I'm wondering what someone else has seen that prompted concern for this now

Assume it was personal details regarding a sale, was gonna have some fun posting 'found those dildos your after' on peoples profiles, but thought better of it.

 

[Wizcat]

I can't find any interesting posts on peoples profiles

I'm wondering what someone else has seen that prompted concern for this now

If you just visit the Whats New link : https://www.pinballinfo.com/community/whats-new/

... at the bottom you can scroll through years of people posting private messages to public profiles.

I think a few of us have mentioned it being an issue over the years. Here's one of my posts about it: https://www.pinballinfo.com/community/threads/profile-posts.50862/

 

[Paul]

There's plugins for that, we use one on ukvac: https://www.ukvac.com/forum/feedback/alpha1.4/

Yeah I really like the one on UKVAC

After a while you sort of figure out the good eggs (by far most people here) but for newbies its a bit daunting sending money without having an easy way to verify someone might be trustworthy, without trawling through posts.

Unfortunately that one is depreciated and not maintained (to be fair, probably was at the time) - I tend to look for addons that are supported going forwards, only because i dont really want things to not be supported on a new release of the forum software...

There is a newish one out there that i may give a go... not cheap, however it;s about quality...




Ideally we should be using something that ties Sales/trade threads into he feedback (almost like a "verified purchaser"), however that would involve using a formalised sales "format", which i tried before and people didnt like...

 

[kev a]

Unfortunately that one is depreciated and not maintained (to be fair, probably was at the time) - I tend to look for addons that are supported going forwards, only because i dont really want things to not be supported on a new release of the forum software...

There is a newish one out there that i may give a go... not cheap, however it;s about quality...

View attachment 276900


Ideally we should be using something that ties Sales/trade threads into he feedback (almost like a "verified purchaser"), however that would involve using a formalised sales "format", which i tried before and people didnt like...

View attachment 276901

Can see its a bit of a minefield, guess half the problem its great having a feedback section, but getting people to remember to use it.

I was thing along the lines of something informal, instead of thanking the seller and letting them know an item has arrived via PM, putting it in the profile so everyone can see.