Private posting forum where members can't view other member?

[Pinky]

I installed a mod on my forum yesterday for members to be able to make private posts in a private forum. This is not for group members but for each member. Today I finalized the details with some test posting myself with my spare test accounts and it's worked through that. Only staff members can view all posts in the private forum and only members who post there can see their 'own' posts, not other members posts.

Now it will be interesting to see if members will use it. Although I have a support and suggestions section, there are always times when you want to ask something about a forum you are on but don't want everybody else to know about it, could be that you may feel embarrassed by the results or you are just a shy person anyway but it's something you wouldn't ask via pm or on the open forum.

Does anybody else have something similar on your forum? Did it get used and what did your members think about it?

 

[shamzblueworld]

Re: Private posting forum where members can't view other mem

I used this but for groups not members, for groups it makes sense but for a member? Why would someone post something on internet so only he/she can see it?

 

[CyberFreak]

Re: Private posting forum where members can't view other mem

...Now it will be interesting to see if members will use it. Although I have a support and suggestions section, there are always times when you want to ask something about a forum you are on but don't want everybody else to know about it, could be that you may feel embarrassed by the results or you are just a shy person anyway but it's something you wouldn't ask via pm or on the open forum...

To be honest I don't think your reasoning makes much sense. The reason I say this is that if users are too embarrassed/shy/scared to send a PM to one person then I don't think they would feel at all comfortable posting to all the staff.

 

[Saruman]

Re: Private posting forum where members can't view other mem

it could work for support forums

 

[Pinky]

Re: Private posting forum where members can't view other mem

I see your point and we gave this a great deal of discussion and all staff thought it a great idea.....now this isn't for general posting all over the board. It is just in one subforum for members to ask staff for assistance if they have a problem so it's support but rather than get a one to one member contact via the pm system they can get several replies from all members of staff in the subforum. Running an arcade has it's problems from time to time from members arguing and they may contact one member of staff and it get's discussed one to one and then heads over to the staff room, if members have this option of a private section where they can use this private forum as their port of call they only have to give us the facts there and can see how all the staff deal with the issue from their own private topic. It's more about personal team effort on a team basis with the members. It's a different angle and perspective and on trial to see how it works with the members and staff together.

 

[Kaynil]

Re: Private posting forum where members can't view other mem

Your explanation really helps undertanding the purposed use. I think it is nice. Sounds appropiate for your board.

I saw this in a 'resolve users' forum, where only the two members with problems could ask to enter the area so that at the time they would only see each other posts, not older and stuff and could openly get everything out their chests.

 

[Pinky]

Re: Private posting forum where members can't view other mem

Thanks kaynil 🙂

Unfortunately we have found some error's with this mod by the author after getting some support and as it's an old mod will not be fixed so we have no choice but to uninstall it. Shame really.

 

[Kaynil]

Re: Private posting forum where members can't view other mem

Aw, that is a bummer. =/

Well, who knows, maybe in the future something similar comes up again.

 

[Pinky]

Re: Private posting forum where members can't view other mem

Yeah, could be.

 

[David]

Re: Private posting forum where members can't view other mem

...Now it will be interesting to see if members will use it. Although I have a support and suggestions section, there are always times when you want to ask something about a forum you are on but don't want everybody else to know about it, could be that you may feel embarrassed by the results or you are just a shy person anyway but it's something you wouldn't ask via pm or on the open forum...

To be honest I don't think your reasoning makes much sense. The reason I say this is that if users are too embarrassed/shy/scared to send a PM to one person then I don't think they would feel at all comfortable posting to all the staff.

This method of support is quite common. Some issues, say with accounts or other members, don't need to be seen publicly. And firing off 10 PM's to just one moderator or admin would appear to be annoying and something may be missed.