Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

Sending Email to Member vs Forum

Just about every other forum on the internet allows sending a reply to a poster's message to the poster only. This is useful when you want to send contact info for a real time exchange without broadcasting it to the world. Any chance this feature will be added to ASC? Or is it hiding somewhere? 😝

Intel Mac Mini, Macbook, Mac OS X (10.6.7)

Posted on Jun 1, 2011 2:40 PM

Reply
44 replies

Jun 1, 2011 3:28 PM in response to Dansyacht

Personally,I would hope not; just because I volunteer my time here does not mean I want to be inundated with emails. Here I have a choice if I want to help or not - whether that be because I do/don't have enough knowledge about a particular issue or because I do/don't have enough time. Getting personal emails would take it a step further...... Having said that, some people offer their email address or a website for contact.

Jun 1, 2011 3:46 PM in response to babowa

That's not how it would have to work. You would still have control of your email. A message reply to a poster would be exactly the same as a reply to the group. The only difference is the reply would only go to the poster and would not be visible to the forum. Your email address would not be visible to the sender. There would just be an additional button next to Add Reply that would be Reply to Poster. Ideally there might be an opt out setting if you did not want to get this type of reply.

Jun 1, 2011 4:12 PM in response to Dansyacht

To me it sounds as though that option should be available in a "pay-as-you-go" type forum; one-on-one troubleshooting is available from Apple for a price when you purchase your computer. You expect it here? I'd think you should be thankful to have these fora in the first place - they are a great resource as long as there are knowledgeable volunteers willing to share their knowledge and time.

Jun 1, 2011 4:50 PM in response to Dansyacht

I think she misunderstood your point.


I too know that feature exists elsewhere and that people enjoy using it to connect with others.


Maybe a good thing, for the reasons you suggest.


On the other hand, perhaps because of Apple's size (forum gurus would be inundated), along with an interest in keeping solutions universally visible, and curating activity, doing that would be less practical here?

Jun 1, 2011 4:55 PM in response to Dansyacht

Dan --

I had posted an alternative for you, but it's gone.


You could include your email address in your profile, and then post to the person you would like to contact, and let them have the choice to email you or not. Delete the email info whenever you like. That way, your info is not posted out there on the boards.


It's a common request.

Not to worry.

Jun 1, 2011 5:31 PM in response to Dansyacht

Dansyacht wrote:


Just about every other forum on the internet allows sending a reply to a poster's message to the poster only. This is useful when you want to send contact info for a real time exchange without broadcasting it to the world. Any chance this feature will be added to ASC? Or is it hiding somewhere? 😝

The Jive forum software does have the capability for private messaging. (Other forums I frequent that use Jive have private messaging enabled.) However, private messaging does have some potential abuse issues that have to be considered. For example, hiding discussions of illegal activities (i.e.: pirating software) or "hate mail". While "hate mail" can be handled with a "block messages from this sender" type of option, the discussion of illegal activities or other topics not allowed by the forum are tricky. It ends up becoming just more messages that the moderators have to monitor, but now they're hidden so are not reported by other members (like they are now when they're in the open forum areas.) And members tend to not like the idea that the moderators are reading their "private mail". 😉 So it's up to the forum operator to decide whether to have private messaging or not. With a forum like this that has a high volume of messages, I would imagine that reducing the workload on the moderators was likely a significant part of the decision.


BTW, one thing I do if I did want to contact someone is to use an email address I have purposefully setup for "junk mail." (i.e.: for surveys & contests.) I tell the person to send a message to the "junk" email address, telling me what their email address is. I can then send a message from my "normal" email and we correspond normally after that. That way the only email address that was "posted in the open" was the one that I was expecting to get junk mail anyway.

Jun 1, 2011 5:41 PM in response to Dansyacht

Sorry that my question elicited such negative feelings.


My replies weren't meant to be or convey negative feelings - they were meant to be practical and logical. They would have been composed quite differently had they caused negative feelings. It is simply my personal preference - being able to maintain my privacy is why I enjoy using these discussions.

Sending Email to Member vs Forum

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple ID.