@Molly K wrote:
2 - Fundamentally, the private messaging option seems to clash with the concept of the forum. The forums are about open communication with others where users get to choose what to read and reply to. As soon as a thread transitions into a private message, the other members are left out and threads can look "unfinished." While I understand that there are times when both channels are appropriate, I can't think of a concrete example that clearly demonstrates when a private message is really the only option. Can you all help me with this?
I think the unstated assumption here which doesn't jive with my personal experience is that you're going offline to talk about things related to what was posted, in the sense of discussing usable information that should be posted for the community. That's never been my experience with offline messaging. My two thoughts on that are 1) sure it would be a possibility and 2) don't do it. I never do. I talk about all topic related discussions via the forum provided, even if it's from someone I know and could answer directly. For exactly the reasons stated: it provides a traceable record that others can look at later.
What types of things would you need to discuss in private with other members of this forum?
"Hey Joe, I see you have a "T" for your icon and live in Knoxville... are you a UT grad by any chance? I got my degree there in '93. I haven't lived in Knoxville for several years though, do you like working there?"
What's even more interesting is meeting people who aren't from the same country and finding out what they do or other random side discussions that aren't pertinent to the forum. It's a way of having as little or as much community surrounding the technical discussions on the forum as you want. Like Ben said also, the Breakpoint somewhat fills that need but in my opinion can only go so far since you're interacting with the entire community at that point.
Do you think users would discuss things in private that should/could be shared with the entire community? Will this negatively impact the community?
That depends on how you sell an IM feature. Regulars will know that it's a no-no, therefore I don't think it would really have a negative impact. If people IM'd me about something that should be on the forum I would either tell them to ask it on the forum or reply to it on the forum myself.
@jhoskins wrote:
1. What if someone post a question, someone answers but the answer does not solve the problem but gets close, then right in the middle the two people starts to IM with each other then the post is left incomplete and the person that is trying to find the answer to his question has to post the same question again.
This hypothetical question is based on Molly's assumption above that posts are going to go offline. Yes this could happen and would be detrimental, no I don't think it would happen on a regular basis.
2. The forum is an open place were all questions and answers are shared and we choose to read them and answer. All answers shouild be left open.
This is again assuming that the reason you're going offline to talk has something to do specifically with what the original post was related to.
3. what if someone just tries to IM somebody (Ie Dennis) what if dennis does not answer, then this person will probably be mad.
No one should be IM'ing specific problems to people. I think it's safe to say that that's the whole point of the forum and that nobody will want to be bothered by that and will ignore those newby IM's. And like Ben said, "If we never respond to IMs they will go away on their own."
In my opinion if the feature was available with the terms of use clearly outlined, here are the pros and cons:
Pros:
- Users can contact one another internal to the forums (no emailing needed)
- Users can stay anonymous if they want since no email address is needed
- Users can remain as private as they want by replying or not replying to someone else's message
- Provides offline discussion of personal topics that are not suited for Breakpoint
- Gives people the opportunity to get to know each other
- Increases the level of community surrounding the technical discussions (much like Breakpoint)
Cons:
- Newbies might take discussions offline
- Newbies might get their feelings hurt if someone doesn't reply
- Someone might get annoyed at getting a personal message (and summarily delete it)
