Solution to the problem where people don't know that Visitor's Messages are public

[David Grove]

The main problem seems to be that some users don't know that Visitor's Messages are publicly viewable by all members, and they are mistaking them for Private Messages. Here's a solution:

Add two radio buttons under the Visitor Message Editor with these options, and have the first one selected by default. If they select the second option, it would send it as a PM and wouldn't appear on their profile page. It's kinda ugly, but it might be good.

() Post this as a Public Visitor message to X's profile page.
() Send this as a Private Message to X.

http://www.vbulletin.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=27162&stc=1&d=1218528676

[001]

I don't think that radio buttons are suitable. The difference is quite big between the two types of messages to allow them to be changed only by a radio button. Not everyone reads the small text. It should be a different form and different location in the window.

[briansol]

i like the idea.

[ThorstenA]

Very great idea. We have so many visitor messages that were intended to be private.

[Wayne Luke]

Wouldn't getting user's to select the proper radio button take as much effort as teaching them that Visitor Messages are public? Sure it might stop some people but will it really stop the issue?

Now, I think that some interface changes will make this less of a problem so not really discounting the idea but I don't think it is a total fix to user issues like this.

[ThorstenA]

Wouldn't getting user's to select the proper radio button take as much effort as teaching them that Visitor Messages are public? Sure it might stop some people but will it really stop the issue?

You are right. Problem is that public messages are first shown on profile page. If just private messages would be first shown, everything would be fine.

[Nick]

Wouldn't getting user's to select the proper radio button take as much effort as teaching them that Visitor Messages are public? Sure it might stop some people but will it really stop the issue?



I think it would stop the issue, because if people see the two options, they will no longer assume that a visitor message is private.

In other words, let's say I think visitor messages are private.
So I go to your profile and type a message. And then I see an option: "post as public" or "send as Pm".... and I would then realize "Ohhh so it isn't private in the first place".

So yes, I think it would solve the majority of the problem.

Sockwater, great idea. ++

[Wayne Luke]

The failure comes in expecting people to actually read the options. Most won't and simply do the default.

[Nick]

I believe the people that will see the options and choose will outweigh those that won't see the options. It certainly would reduce the amount of users that think they are sending a private message.

[Zachery]

WHy note add a notice then? It would acomplish the same goal.

[David Grove]

My suggestion would extend PM usability by allowing you to send a PM from a user's profile page. I kinda like it.

[briansol]

me too... saves a couple clicks.

[rellek]

I like that idea.

But it also could be enough to rename the "public message" to "Username's Guestbook". I mean... Everyone will know a guestbook is public?!

[001]

I agree with Wayne Luke totally.