PM filter

Hi Bob/forum administrators,

I understand the need for the PM filter and I understand how it works. However, I don't believe everyone has full comprehension of the process.

I routinely get PMs from members asking for my advice/opinion on various problems they encounter throughout the visa process. At first, I would get this message:

Hi JeffK, "asawa member" is trying to send you a message. Do you want to accept this message? By doing so, all future messages from this user will automatically be recieved. You can always change your decision within your Options folder

I would accept the message, but no further message would appear. Sometimes the "requester" would resend the message, othertimes he/she would not.

I've made changes on my end to avoid that particular problem.

Now, I receive random PMs without the prompt to accept the message, usually from new members or those that are less active on the public forum.

But, after I type a sometimes extensive reply to the question asked of me, I usually get a response indicating that a request to receive PMs from me has been sent to the appropriate member and that the message I sent will be automatically sent once said user accepts the request. That is NOT happening and my messages are not getting to the intended recipients. To alleviate the problem of losing my PMs, I have been forced to save every single response I send to another file on my hard drive and then find that particular message and resend it when and IF that member ever accepts the request to receive PMs from me.

It is very frustrating for me (as well I'm sure to the corresponding party) whenever the time and effort of writing a message, either to ask a question or provide an answer, is simply lost forever somewhere in cyberspace. In addition, it may appear that I am simply ignoring a member's query or being rude by not replying, which is absolutely not the case.

My question is this -

Is it possible to write the code/program to be a two-way action?? For example, if one member makes a request of another member and that request is accepted, that "acceptance" would automatically include the original sender's acceptance of PMs from the member he/she originally PMed. If the original sender sends an unwanted message, both parties always have the option of blocking PMs from each other.

I've been trying to adapt to this new system every since it was installed...but it's just not working in its current form. It's become a big hindrance to answering real concerns of the more private members experiencing anxiety over their future immigration matters, which can cause anxiety for any and all of us.

Thanks,

JeffK

Hi Jeff
Did you get my PM? Why haven't you responded?
Just kidding
I see I'm not the only one having to deal with the same situation.
I don't want to seem rude and fail to answer most PM's but it really is a big hassel trying to remember to save and resend.
Sometimes, I just give up when I've tried to respond several times.

Originally Posted by tugar

Hi Jeff
Did you get my PM? Why haven't you responded?

Were you trying to send me those dirty pictures again? I put you on the "do not accept" list so I wouldn't have to look at all that filth!

I agree with you...PM-ing has truly become a pain. I've received several "unwanted" PMs in the past (not from tugar...I was just kidding), but those were few and far between. And the trouble those caused was much less than the current PM configuration causes me.

Like tugar, I have no way of knowing if the recipient ever receives my actual PM or just the automated notification that I'm trying to send one.

As I mentioned some time ago. I would suggest to allow all and just put the few you don't like on the "blacklist".
That should work for the most.
To set the default to allow none to send PMs without agreeing is not a good idea...

Originally Posted by URi

As I mentioned some time ago. I would suggest to allow all and just put the few you don't like on the "blacklist".
That should work for the most.

I did that a long time ago. That's not my current problem.

My problem is that the person who sends me a PM and expects my reply, does not have the "allow all" box checked. Therefore my reply bounces back to me with a response similar to this, "The member has received notification that you are trying to send them a PM. Once this member accepts your request...blah, blah, blah."

That's what is frustrating some of us.

JeffK

i encounter the same trouble too right now. I have the long list of PMs but can't get through their messages even if i already clicked "allow..." & i surmise same thing happens to my replies to them.

I'm with Mr.JeffK's suggestion. Hope this matter will be addressed soon. Thanks.

Originally Posted by JeffK

I did that a long time ago. That's not my current problem.

I see. Sorry, I missunderstood.

Originally Posted by URi

I see. Sorry, I missunderstood.

No problem URi. I believe it was your suggestion that I followed and it eliminated half of the problem. If every single asawa member did the same, the problem virtually would go away, but then I guess that would defeat the whole purpose of having the fliter in place to begin with, wouldn't it?

Regardless, I guess there are no solutions since the forum administrators have yet to reply.

JeffK

I'm having the same problem as everybody else. The filter just doesn't work and I don't get any PMs at all, Just those dumb messages. I've realised that my PMs dont get anywhere either.
I don't even have an 'allow all' option in my preferences/options page. Updates to my profile can NOT be made either. In fact what I think is the whole 'profile' page is full of bugs since they decided to put this filter in. It just does not work and Bob seems out to lunch.

I don't like the voting system either, rather than vote on how useful a post might be it is obvious it's getting used and abused by people with chips on their shoulders and nothing better to do with their time. It doesn't give newcomers any idea whatsoever about how insightful or helpful a poster may be, it's just like a school popularity poll. You're getting cliques and little groups who gang up on others whatever the sense they may be making. Pretty dumb. Some people have even admitted to making different identities so they can cast more votes against other posters. Dumb facility if people are going to use it like that.

My 2 cents.

Originally Posted by KikayandI

I don't even have an 'allow all' option in my preferences/options page. Updates to my profile can NOT be made either. In fact what I think is the whole 'profile' page is full of bugs since they decided to put this filter in.

PM filters options are not in the profile page, but the the PM menu. after clicking on the "you have no new messages", you have a new menu, on this one click on "options" and check "Check this box if want to accept PMs from ALL members" then click on "update button"

For the profile modifications, it should work fine but don't forget to write your password before clicking on the "submit" button. If not, your modifications will be lost.