Rule #6: PMs - Clarification/Explanation Needed

**Raphael** · 15th March 10, 04:47 PM

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**Paul** · 15th March 10, 04:58 PM

Bradley, that was very, very well-said. I feel you have spoken for many of the other members I have spoken to about this subject.
It has been something that has affected my viewpoint on the forum, and I have been involved in this breach to an extent, as well as enforcement of an absolutely speculated conotation of another rule.

And Steve, I feel that anything I say in a PM should not be read by someone I did not send it to. You could easily obtain the details I have given to others simply by asking me, but I sent it to that person. Not you.
You may have the ability to read these messages, but should you really?
If you say yes, then sure, continue to do so and I'm sure many others will agree with mine and Bradley's viewpoint, that this is an absolute breach of our privicy, and we will communicate by other means. In these cases many established, comfortable, helpful members have packed their bags for a variety of reasons, but no one appreciates any personal information or conversation being spied on by you.

And by the way - I have discussed with another member one of these "message delayed in delivery" situations, and I received and opened the PM almost the second that it was sent. I wonder how it delayed it actually was, or if it was delayed in the first place.

**Raphael** · 15th March 10, 05:04 PM

Paul, Did you get my pm yesterday???

**Raphael** · 15th March 10, 05:51 PM

Mr Ashton, i have a hard time believing that you are not aware of the back doors.

Not to tell you what to do, but I seriously think you should close this thread. By leaving this thread open, you are only going to allow more attacks on you.That's what the old mod squad would do.

**Tattoo Bradley** · 15th March 10, 06:02 PM

Originally Posted by Steve Ashton

Wow, Gee Bradley, I guess that proves you know a whole lot more about computers than I do because I didn't even know that place existed. Cool.

a 3 second search of "VBulletin Administrator reads PM" on plain Jane Google.

So you've been overhauling the site and didn't know of such a magical place huh?

**Paul** · 15th March 10, 06:03 PM

Originally Posted by Raphael

Mr Ashton, i have a hard time believing that you are not aware of the back doors.

Not to tell you what to do, but I seriously think you should close this thread. By leaving this thread open, you are only going to allow more attacks on you.That's what the old mod squad would do.

The attacks arent on Steve as a person, they're about his actions.
I'm sure there are douzens with reason to believe what Bradley is highlighting. I pointed to one example that I have experienced.

**GDub** · 15th March 10, 06:50 PM

Reluctantly, I'll weigh in here. I'm a long time web developer for a high end design magazine. I tweaked, managed and moderated the public forum we had for several years. Doing so was NOT rocket science. By far the hardest part was moderating--so I know what a pain in the butt it is. That said, I also know the power that comes with back end access rights. That's why I believe that the old mods aren't just casting stones in this thread. With the right permissions it's VERY easy to access "private" information. With a little database and programming knowledge it's also very easy to collect information without anyone ever knowing. Again, I'm not talking rocket science.

The trick with transparency is to be COMPLETELY upfront about information gathering and to NOT violate privacy just because one can. IMHO, the trust of one's online community is paramount to a successful forum. The kind of stuff being revealed in this thread is not good. My suggestion is to publicly come clean before any more damage is done. A public apology is a good start. Digging in one's heels will only do more damage.

Just my humble $.02.

Kilt on!

**be da veva** · 15th March 10, 06:57 PM

Wait there is a post missing... where is Glen's post?

**McMurdo** · 15th March 10, 07:07 PM

Originally Posted by be da veva

Wait there is a post missing... where is Glen's post?

It seems some of us have been moderated, that is certainly easier than a public apology isn't it.

**BEEDEE** · 15th March 10, 07:08 PM

Originally Posted by be da veva

Wait there is a post missing... where is Glen's post?

As a moderator I have the responsibility to maintain a level of civility on this thread that was sorely lacking. So I removed five posts in all for the moderators to review.

As this thread is continuing to create reports from various members I an closing it while the moderators have an opportunity to decide on its fate.

Brian