FAQ - 2.8.2 Private Messages

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2.8.2 Private Messages

What are Private Messages?

Private Messages (commonly refered to as a PM in the forums) are messages that you can send to other members of BuckeyePlanet. The only members that can see/read a private message are the ones you send the message to. Think of it as an email to a member that can only be read on BuckeyePlanet. Each member can store up to 10000 total Private Messages.

2.8.2.1 View Messages / List Messages


Figure 1

Private Messages can be accessed a few different ways:

• Click the User CP link (Figure 1, #6) in the top menu then clicking the "List Messages" link in the "Private Messages" section on the control panel bar on the left side of the User CP.
• On the top right of every page BuckeyePlanet gives you some of your information: The current user logged in (Figure 1, #2), the last time the current user logged in (Figure 1, #3), and gives a summary of your Private Messages, the number Unread and Total number of messages (Figure 1, #4). If you wish to view your Private Messages simply click the "Private Messages" link (Figure 1, #4).
• At the bottom of most pages is a "Forum Jump" dropdown menu (Figure 2, #1). Select "Private Messages" from that list (Figure 2, #2) and click the Go button (Figure 2, #4).

Figure 2

Any of these means will bring you to your Inbox and will list any messages you have received from other members.

2.8.2.2 Send New Message


Figure 3
Sending a member a new message can be done a number of ways:

• If you are in the User CP or in your Private Messages, click the "Send New Message" (Figure 3, #12) link in the "Private Messages" section on the Control Panel bar on the left side of the page.
• If you are browsing a thread and find a member you wish to send a Private Message to, click their user name then click "Send a private message to username".
• If you are replying to a Private Message from a member click the <reply button> button at the bottom of that message.

Figure 4

Any of these means will bring up a screen where you can compose your message (Figure 4). Each message must have a valid member username (Username - Figure 4, #1), a Title (Figure 4, #2), and at least a two character message (Figure 4, #3). Each message can be sent up to 5 members at one time and if more than one member is listed each member must be separated by a semicolon ( ; ). Once your message is complete you may first view the message by clicking the "Preview Message" button located under the Message section or you can send the message by clicking the "Submit Message" button (Figure 4, #5). If you have any questions about formatting the message, using smilies, etc. see section 4.1.1.2 Posting a Message.

There are a few miscellaneous options available that you may want to consider before sending the message. These options are in the "Additional Options" section (Figure 4, #6) located below the "Submit Message" and "Preview Message" buttons. Each of these options can be enabled or disabled by checking or unchecking the box beside it. These options include:

• Request a read receipt for this message - BuckeyePlanet will send you an automated Private Message when the recipient member has read your message. See section 2.8.2.3 Track Messages for more information.
• Save a copy of this message in your Sent Items folder
• Automatically parse links in text
• Disable smilies in text

2.8.2.3 Track Messages

When you send a new private message, you may have the option to request a read-receipt for that message (Figure 4, #6). This will allow you to check whether or not a message has been read by its recipient by viewing the Private Message Tracking page (Figure 5). When you are in the User CP or your Private Messages click the "Track Message" link in the "Private Messages" section on the Control Panel bar on the left side of the page (Figure 3, #13).


Figure 5

The Track Messages page is divided into two sections: unread messages and read messages.

The unread messages section shows all messages that you have sent with a read-receipt request, that have not yet been read by their recipient. The time of the last activity of the message recipient is also shown. Messages in this section can be cancelled if you decide that their contents are no longer relevant, or for any other reason. Cancelled messages can also be restored to active status if the administrator has enabled this feature.

The read messages section shows all messages you have sent with a receipt request that have been read and acknowledged by their recipient. The time that the message was read is also shown.

You may choose to end the tracking on any message you choose by selecting the message and clicking the End Tracking button.

When you receive a message with a read-receipt request, you may have the option to read the message while denying the read-receipt request. To do this, simply click the 'deny receipt' link rather than the title of the message, if it appears.


2.8.2.4 Private Message Folders

By default, you will have two folders in your private message area. These are the Inbox and the Sent Items folders (Figure 6, #1 & 2).


Figure 6

Each folder has a set of message controls which allow you to select messages, then either move them to one of your custom folders, or delete them completely. You may also have a button which allows you to forward multiple messages from a folder to another member of the forum (Figure 6, #3-5).

You will need to periodically delete old messages, as the administrator has probably set a limit to the number of private messages you can have in your folders. If you exceed the number of messages specified by the administrator, you will not be able to send or receive new messages until you delete some old messages.

Whenever you read a message, you will have the option to reply to the message, or forward that message to another member of the forum. You may also have the ability to forward that message to multiple members of your buddy list.

2.8.2.4.1 Inbox

The Inbox folder contains any new messages you receive, and allows you to view all the messages you have received, along with the name of the person who sent the message to you, and the date and time the message was sent (Figure 6, #2).


2.8.2.4.2 Sent Items
The Sent Items folder contains a copy of any messages that you have sent, where you have specified that you wish to keep a copy of the message for future reference (Figure 6, #2).


2.8.2.4.3 Edit Folders


Figure 7

You may create additional folders for your messages by clicking the 'Edit Folders' link (Figure 3, #14). That brings up a screen (Figure 7) that lets you add, delete and edit custom folders.


2.8.2.5 Edit Private Messages

You will notice a checkbox to the right of each of your Private Messages. This checkbox lets BuckeyePlanet know whether or not you want to perform an action such as deleting, downloading, marking read, etc. each message (Figure 6, #4, 5 & 7). You can also mark an entire sectoin by checking the checkbox in that section header. Once you have the messages checked that you want to edit select the action from the "Selected Messages" dropdown then click the Go button. The actions are listed below:

2.8.2.5.1 Delete

Deletes the selected message(s) from your folder (Figure 6, #5).


2.8.2.5.2 Mark as read

The selected message(s) are marked as read as if you opened the message to actually read it (Figure 6, #5).


2.8.2.5.3 Mark as unread

The selected message(s) are marked as unread as if they are new (Figure 6, #5).


2.8.2.5.4 Download as XML

The selected message(s) are downloaded to a folder of your choice in XML format. If you wish to download all your Private Messages at once click the XML link below the "Selected Messages" dropdown (Figure 6, #7).


2.8.2.5.5 Download as CSV

The selected message(s) are downloaded to a folder of your choice in CSV (Comma Separated Values) format. If you wish to download all your Private Messages at once click the CSV link below the "Selected Messages" dropdown (Figure 6, #7).


2.8.2.5.6 Download as Text

The selected message(s) are downloaded to a folder of your choice in Text format. If you wish to download all your Private Messages at once click the Text link below the "Selected Messages" dropdown (Figure 6, #7).