IMPORTANT: Changes to New Accounts and Private Messages

[NinRick]

I want to express my utter disgust here about the fact that you say PMs are moderated.

Does this mean that a mod at all times can see my private messages?

Last couple of months not only did I feel like I have been unable to express myself here, I have in fact seen messages of people encouraging others to do so. I don't think I need to explain myself here what kind of vibe that gives off.
Everything that is public is moderated. Even the things that where you are supposed to be able to put a personal touch. Which is what it was presented at, as first when the forum was updated.

I've felt hounded and discouraged from sharing anything. I had written some poems that I wanted to share but I decided not to, because of this feeling.

And you know what. If things like this keep persisting I think I will leave the forums permanently.

This place was once part of what I considered home, but it hasn't been for a long time.

Nobody has an interest in viewing your personal messages, and not even the mods can do so.
It's only possible to read a message if your conversation partner klicks on the "report" button a page.

I am sure that secret services, however, will be able to read any message here.

 

[Scorpio]

And you know what. If things like this keep persisting I think I will leave the forums permanently.

This place was once part of what I considered home, but it hasn't been for a long time.

I had read some of your posts and enjoyed them, so I hope you'll stick around here and share your poetry someday with us, when you feel like doing it

 

[Wotanwarrior]

It is not right you guys have to lose out on a forum feature just because some idiot is using it against you. Please report these individuals so they can get banned, plus instantly block and leave the conversation.

There are a variety of valid instances where you could be contacted through your DM's and it would be a shame for this to be hindered. Even though people can contact you through alternative means, I have had instances of people preferring to use DM's.

Thank you very much, I want to avoid at all costs that troll attacks cause distrust and division with other members.

 

[FancyMancy]

Pretty much every mainstream platform at least provides the possibility for the administration to be aware of the contents of private messaging. This is not just unique to this forum, or other forums, but is especially true for large platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, and other private messaging software. Whether that is actually used by respective administrations and moderators is another aspect of this issue.

I think you got your idea from letters, and you are right about that. In that context, around that framework, it would be illegal for anyone other than the sender and recipient to open the contents if not in all countries, then at least in most. Although that too has its limitations. For example in cases of investigations by officials.

I have been on forums (and in the past, chatrooms) for years. On at least one of those, it was said that PMs were vieweable by only the participants, so that's where I got this from. It's quite a sticky topic. Off-forum, off-JoS websites, people are responsible for themselves. On here... it's difficult...

You naturally display competency in these areas, or if you did not, you would be able to learn it. By nature of our current world, Mercurial skills are in demand, including for JoS projects. It is better to try and learn than never do so, as if you had started 1 year ago, then you would be an experienced veteran of these projects and able to direct new people, perhaps.

Just from what happened in the past, I feel you may be hung up about your place here and that could be a deeper reason that is making you avoidant. Regardless, these positions are still open, but you have to be willing to involve yourself, including resolving obstacles which may upset your ability to do otherwise good work.

Thanks for your reply.