Sorry, I've misunderstood the scenario you're describing in your earlier posts. Are you not talking about responding to someone's post in a thread here? If not, how do you know that they're having a problem?

My *example* is that someone has posted a review on something and has indicated there is something that they find to be 'annoying functionality - or lack thereof' and don't realise that their problem can be fixed.

I'm not talking about a 'flaming' guru, just an average joe that has got the wrong impression based mostly on a lack of understanding.

gilead got there first! Following in italics slightly irrelevant now.

Quote:

Originally Posted by socceroos I personally feel that having PM would add another layer of help. With PM it would then be possible for me to help 'said person' even though they haven't posted, haven't given their email address to the bots and haven't the knowledge to help themselves, or get help, with their problem.

(emphasis mine)

My question still stands (flakey not clear post not withstanding... ) how do you know they have a problem in the first place?? If they've posted to the forum, you reply to them via the forum!

You also gave the example of "my computer runs really slow, everything takes ages to load" (problem is dialup) How do you know? First of all, that they have a slow computer problem, and also that the solution is that they have slow Internet? As I was told once on a non-clear question: "ah, my mind reading skills are not what they should be- please clarify." There are threads where the problem is coaxed out of the original poster (OP), but I don't see how PM would help solve this problem!

Another thought is that PMs are rewards/perks/etc for contributing members currently (somebody correct me) and I have no problem for extra perks for people who contribute to the running of LQ's infrastructure.

titanium_geek

Ok- so your example is someone sniffing about "limited functionality" in a review. I guess it's not really kosher to post another "review" telling them what is wrong, as that's not really a review of the distro at hand.

(blunt comment)
If they have a half-measure of intelligence they will have posted to the forums about the problem.
(/blunt comment)

If they haven't, perhaps you can find one of their other posts, respond to it, and add at the bottom: PS $username I've noticed that you have been having problems with $program. I can help you fix that. (my email's in my profile) why don't you start a new thread about that/ here is *link* that helps you fix that.

--

I'd like to see concrete examples of this sort of "sniffing about limited functionality" though.

TG

I see million reasons why there should be PM,and also another million for the new forum "Linux commands" that I suggested,and I don't see any reason why there should't be the PM and Linux commands forum,but I will respect decisions of the relevant people.If LQ newbies would in some way use the PM in a wrong way,then just point in the wright direction would be enough.

But we've been doing that on double posting, wrong forums and another million things and yet, they still continue to do so. Also take in account that Moderators can't moderate PM's unless it's their own. Most members would probably not direct or report PM abuse. Some probably wouldn't even check or use it. Personally, I only see PM for taking something offline in private between two people, sort of off topic. I think PM's for contributing members is perfect and it's just another niche of becoming a contributing member.

I am sorry to know that,but that only shows that the problem is not in the PM.The problem is in people who don't understand that we could have better LQ for us all.Thanks for the reply,and I know that you guys on LQ don't have easy job,and please understand that whatever suggestion I had for the LQ was just because I tried to make it even better. I forgot this: I would like to contribute,but the only way for me to do it,at the moment,is by post,what was my intention these days,so can you provide me with an address or should I contact someone?

email (I know, ancient! ) jeremy- he should be able to set you up.

TG

OK,that's the way I will do it.

Are you saying that you can email Jeremy and he'll set you up with PM?

No - I think that's about becoming a contributing member...

What's the difference between membership and 'contributing membership'?

There's some info here - and now that I read it, one of the benefits is:

yes, that's right- sorry my response could have been clearer- in response to:

the person to contact is Jeremy.

The times when I have found PM to be useful is when someone who is supposed to know better says something incorrect or downright stupid on a thread.

Knowing this person should know better, I often will wonder if there is something I am missing. Also, I don't want to publicly put up a post disagreeing with this person; such might be construed as an attack, or if I am missing something it could be me who winds up looking like the idiot.

So I PM the person: "hey...you said this...now it seems to me...or am I missing something..."

I'll get a PM back: "...yeah, you are right, I don't know how I could have said that..." or perhaps "...well, what you are missing is..."

We then can have a quiet discussion, resolve the issue, and take appropriate action: either he satisfies me or he winds up going on the board and saying: "earlier I said this, but..."

I have been on both ends of such exchanges. I find that it helps preserve credibility all around.

Just my $0.02