PM’s are they being viewed by the mods & why?

[90K]

Forum Guidelines 12/22/06
PM Guidelines:
If exclusively personal contact is needed, use the Private Message system. Do not post a topic where only one member is expected to answer. Posting and Language guidelines extend to the PM system.

I understand that Greg is footing the bill here and I respect that, but what I can’t understand is why people need to read our PM’s? Look I haven’t had any issues since my time here and I believe I’ve been a decent citizen here and my post for the most part have been within the lines stated in the guidelines. I also understand that some folks have been under minding this site and it has started a riff and they moved and whatnot. If egos and power are the problem well that is human nature.
I lived in an institution for 6.5 years from the age of 12~18 and I had my mail read like a prisoner and to this day I hate my privacy being compromised at any cost for any reason.
My point here is this---> You need to read my PM’s then you need to ban me for life! I’ll accept that and I won’t ever come back as anyone else. If I’m asked about this site I will state the policy as I knew it and I won’t bash it or give negative online comments to your place. I disagree with this policy and I want it formally heard. If this isn’t true then stand up and make it clear this isn’t policy!!! if it is then tell the people the truth-->you pay the bills and you can do as you please.
But I want to be banned if this rumor is true because you have no respect for me or respect for any other regular posters.

 

[Annie]

I understand that Greg is footing the bill here and I respect that, but what I can’t understand is why people need to read our PM’s? Look I haven’t had any issues since my time here and I believe I’ve been a decent citizen here and my post for the most part have been within the lines stated in the guidelines. I also understand that some folks have been under minding this site and it has started a riff and they moved and whatnot. If egos and power are the problem well that is human nature.
I lived in an institution for 6.5 years from the age of 12~18 and I had my mail read like a prisoner and to this day I hate my privacy being compromised at any cost for any reason.

My point here is this---> You need to read my PM’s then you need to ban me for life! I’ll accept that and I won’t ever come back as anyone else. If I’m asked about this site I will state the policy as I knew it and I won’t bash it or give negative online comments to your place. I disagree with this policy and I want it formally heard. If this isn’t true then stand up and make it clear this isn’t policy!!! if it is then tell the people the truth-->you pay the bills and you can do as you please.
But I want to be banned if this rumor is true because you have no respect for me or respect for any other regular posters.

Greg will address this more fully later. For now let me say that no one is reading anyone's pm's. Does the owner have the ability to do so? Yes. However those with some tech knowledge will appreciate that codes have to be entered, times, and I really don't know what not. It's not something that is done routinely and to the best of my knowledge, not to anyone that didn't have access to moderation.

I appreciate the way you asked, no cussing, etc. Thanks for a chance to answer.

 

[90K]

Thanks,
I'm just a guest on this site and I appreciate being allowed to come here and read, post and whatnot. But it shouldn't be a big surprise that some others outside this arena are sending things out and saying something’s. Far be it from me but it could start issues about this subject. I actually have nothing to hide but I believe it is the principle if nothing more and I again realize I'm a guest and nothing more and having said this I hope everyone will get a clearer answer on this.

 

[Annie]

Thanks,
I'm just a guest on this site and I appreciate being allowed to come here and read, post and whatnot. But it shouldn't be a big surprise that some others outside this arena are sending things out and saying something’s. Far be it from me but it could start issues about this subject. I actually have nothing to hide but I believe it is the principle if nothing more and I again realize I'm a guest and nothing more and having said this I hope everyone will get a clearer answer on this.

Thanks. I do know that the capability is there. I would caution anyone about putting anything personal out on the www. I learned that the hard way myself. As you say, it's the owners 'property' the rest of us can enjoy it or walk away. I'm glad this helped, I'm sure Greg will be addressing this more thoroughly later.

 

[trobinett]

Thanks. I do know that the capability is there. I would caution anyone about putting anything personal out on the www. I learned that the hard way myself. As you say, it's the owners 'property' the rest of us can enjoy it or walk away. I'm glad this helped, I'm sure Greg will be addressing this more thoroughly later.

I certainly respect your "take" on this Kathianne, BUT viewing PM's for ANY reason seems suspect to me.

Is this a security issue?

I'll give Greg his chance at the podium, it is after all, his house, and I appreciate him "inviting" me over.

 

[Annie]

I certainly respect your "take" on this Kathianne, BUT viewing PM's for ANY reason seems suspect to me.

Is this a security issue?

I'll give Greg his chance at the podium, it is after all, his house, and I appreciate him "inviting" me over.

I'm not going into explanations of what happened. I doubt Greg will either, other than in general terms, not person by person. As I said, we all make our own decisions and should respect each other. This stuff should be fun, not scary.

 

[Jackass]

This stuff should be fun, not scary.

I agree. So why should we worry about our PM's being read?

 

[Annie]

I agree. So why should we worry about our PM's being read?

I didn't say that. Personally, I don't, but can understand why the concern with all the discussion.

 

[Annie]

I think there may be more questions, but the bell rang, so later folks.

 

[90K]

I agree. So why should we worry about our PM's being read?

I've gotten 3 pm's and an email from another member’s site and the whole deal is about privacy and the lack of on this site....What does this mean? I guess ego and personalities. My post normally keeps those personalities out and I'm just neither here nor there. My point is if my contact with another member is being viewed when I have nothing to say that warrants such scrutiny then I kind of don't think that is right. I use PM as a means to BS with other members but I haven't found it necessary to bash anyone. PM is private I am saying that and I've said more than once already I have nothing to hide, but it must be a topic of discussion here and that is why I felt completed to say what I said initially.

 

[Greg Bernhardt]

As I've been telling some people that have contacted me, "please disregard any announcement not by either myself or Kathianne". Rumors spread by bitter people with agendas are suspect. Part of Kathianne's and my job is to help protect USMB from people who wish to undermine our progress. I won't get into what happened in regards to a few members a couple days ago because frankly it's just not publicly important. Part of the reason you come here is you have a certain level of comfort and trust in the staff. You trust that Kathianne and I will do everything in our power to help USMB grow and better itself. You trust that we will respond to your problems appropriately and with compassion. And we trust that you come here and will abide by the guidelines and be a productive and fun addition to the community.

Theoretically it's possible for administrators and even server personal to "read pms". After all they are not encrypted in the database and stored just like a post in a forum. This is true on 99.9% of forums. I can't even think of any that encrypt PMs, it's not even possible on 9.9/10 softwares. But this is not a matter of ability, it's a matter of trust. You can trust that I'd much rather be spending time with my girlfriend, at the casino or going out for a burger than the tideous task of scanning the database with tens of thousands of PMs so I can find out you went bowling with your grandama on sunday morning. Now if you believe the latter and that I spend countless hours reading PMs in order to "get people" then obviously you should leave as would I. But if you think I use my time on this earth more wisely and really couldn't give a shit about your gossip... then stay and enjoy the great community.

Kathianne and I will continue to bust ass trying to send USMB to the top. I think in my short time here I've proven that fact. You're all smart people, think about who is spreading these rumors and why, everything is politics baby! And if you want a definitive answer to the all important question, it's no, I am not reading your PMs.

*lastly, please report any spam you recieve via PM and we'll investigate appropriately. and PM me with any comments and questions

 

[Yurt]

OK---I'll stop posting and watch until I am able to get a feel for what is a stir and what is a post. Sorry for any disturbance.

This is a good point. He specifically referenced being banned for reasons of another board and Kathianne said no. Yet, dillo gives this post and gets "classic" as a response. That is "flaming" not answering the question. No problem with saying stuff like that, but an answer needs to be given.

If I, Yurt, belong to another board will I be banned here? If I Yurt, tell someone here about another board, will I be banned here?

Most importantly, though never directly answered:

Have personal messages been read here. Not whether you want to, but have they? If you feel this knowledge is admin privilege, ok. But I have to tell you it is a concern of mine and I would like a direct answer. I have given money to this board, not that it should matter, but I don't think my concerns should be taken lightly.

Yurt

 

[Annie]

This is a good point. He specifically referenced being banned for reasons of another board and Kathianne said no. Yet, dillo gives this post and gets "classic" as a response. That is "flaming" not answering the question. No problem with saying stuff like that, but an answer needs to be given.

If I, Yurt, belong to another board will I be banned here? If I Yurt, tell someone here about another board, will I be banned here?

Most importantly, though never directly answered:

Have personal messages been read here. Not whether you want to, but have they? If you feel this knowledge is admin privilege, ok. But I have to tell you it is a concern of mine and I would like a direct answer. I have given money to this board, not that it should matter, but I don't think my concerns should be taken lightly.

Yurt

http://usmessageboard.com/showthread.php?p=526859#post526859

One more time:

Theoretically it's possible for administrators and even server personal to "read pms". After all they are not encrypted in the database and stored just like a post in a forum. This is true on 99.9% of forums. I can't even think of any that encrypt PMs, it's not even possible on 9.9/10 softwares. But this is not a matter of ability, it's a matter of trust. You can trust that I'd much rather be spending time with my girlfriend, at the casino or going out for a burger than the tideous task of scanning the database with tens of thousands of PMs so I can find out you went bowling with your grandama on sunday morning. Now if you believe the latter and that I spend countless hours reading PMs in order to "get people" then obviously you should leave as would I. But if you think I use my time on this earth more wisely and really couldn't give a shit about your gossip... then stay and enjoy the great community.

...And if you want a definitive answer to the all important question, it's no, I am not reading your PMs.

That is all that is going to be said regarding the latest brouhaha over pm's. A topic often brought up under the old ownership also.

While it would be wonderful that everyone wants to participate here, it's obvious that isn't going to happen. Those that choose to stay, welcome! Those that choose not, we're glad you have choices.

As for the 'board war' that some wish to start and others are just playing with, where is the venom? Where are the attacks coming from? Who has tried to answer questions of the members? Where is the name calling? Who paid? Who took? Who?

We feel enough of our time has been diverted to this nonsense. Yes, nonsense. If you disagree, leave. If you wish to stay, great. We're not dealing with anymore board conspiracies, pm us, we haven't more to add but will answer-to a reasonable point, without a problem. If you choose to start another thread, it will be deleted and the poster banned.