Bitcoin Forum

So I've been wanting to create this topic for a while as it seems people vary widely on when, how, and why they chose to PM or not. I've held off as it seemed for a while the use or lack of use of PM's seemed to be an issue and I didn't want it tied to any one instance, as that's not why I'm creating this thread.

There are always disagreements and misunderstandings between users, or even the perception of injustice based on personal opinions. I've never really seen the benefit to creating an entire thread when a simple PM could suffice. This can easily clear the air a lot of the time without bringing in the peanut gallery, which more often than not can aggravate the situation. It makes total sense if you've attempted to reach out and receive no response or if someone is defaulting and no longer communicating.  I personally prefer to PM users for a variety of reasons, some could have been threads or topics some definitely not. 

• Instead of posting @whoever if I want to draw their attention to something
• If perhaps someone is being called out or questioned on something but isn't a part of the thread yet
• When something seems off to me
• For opinions on people without dragging them through the mud first
• For advice on something specific and/or just to chat
• To notify some of trust list changes or reasoning
• hammer out the details of a deal/trade before posting the agreed upon facts

I guess it just boils down to personal preference, that and some people love to grab the popcorn and watch the fireworks. Perhaps a bit jaded in my perception as well but sometimes it just feels like a way to get a couple more posts in that week.  So I'm legit curious as to the what and why of your PM usage.

I always try to keep everything in public. I am not a big fan of PMing users unless it's about asking something personal. However did someone notice some users send you PM when they add you to their trust list, when they send you a feedback or when they talk to you in a conversation which is not going in their way - they send PMs for clarification.

The last one is okay but I do not think it is okay to send PM when you add someone to your trust list or send a feedback. It feels like you are asking favor in return.

I have PM conversation with very limited users. Most of them are with my sig managers asking him this and that question and him to me asking to change this and that LOL, some is about EPL pool with hilariousandco, some with the fellow Liverpool fan (you all should know who he is LOL, no homo by the way), a PM conversation about a tag against a shady exchange, about a NEO deal which we kept private, about some escrow which we have done for a pool etc. I think these are reasonable.

When I need to point out something to a person without polluting a thread with topics which are more off-topic than on-topic.

For example, I literally just PM'ed someone calling them a troll instead of posting that out in the thread he commented, which would be totally off-topic. :)
Or like a few hours ago when I PM'ed someone answering/clarifying something he pointed out in another thread (which doesn't fit the point of the thread).

I don't really get into intense discussions nowadays so most of my messaging is usually moderation related. However, unless it's a personal matter (direct requests, notifications of a discussions related to my actions, etc.), I prefer to keep the discussion public and in the thread. It always felt weird when I commented on someone else's thread (either positively or negatively) and they directly messaged me about it instead of just replying in the topic.

Mainly this:


And also for some inside jokes that are probably not funny publicly. Perhaps that falls under "chat". Somehow I end up with tons of PMs without even trying and then end up having to apologize for not responding sooner (or even worse - forget to respond at all).

Me too.  Otherwise users with unsavory ethics lie about what took place in the message exchange in an attempt to muddy the discussion when they're exposed for behaving inappropriately.  

not that often, just use it as needed for any personal conversation that doesn't concern anyone else
if it is a discussion or information that can help others, I will surely post it in a thread instead
I think of it as a way to reply someone's post without cluttering a discussion thread

PMs are better regarding small grievances that can be easily resolved without much debate.
Topics should hold open discussion if external parties' influence is necessary (i.e. both are vehemently supporting opposing sides)

Mostly moderation related when I send personal messages. However, that's usually only when users are asking a question that needs to be answered or if I'm letting someone know why I've deleted a particular message etc. For example, when merging multiple posts in a row I usually give them a quick message. Although, I don't merge posts often, and only in certain situations.

I also send personal messages about personal projects, and asking questions which would be deemed off topic.

99 pages.. ~1980 messages *2..

https://talkimg.com/images/2023/07/23/nJtFa.png



Newbies asking questions
Deals
Bounties
Negative trust requests
Technical questions
Saved messages

This is exactly how I am using PMs, but sometimes, I use them also to ask hard questions related to threads and promotions or if I need clarification or explanation from particular members.

I don't block PMs from newbies and sometimes answer their questions, especially if they ask for help. I see that lately, I use more PMs, especially from the time I started to use the Maggiordomo (https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=profile;u=2340148) bot.


This is an almost exact list when I use PMs and I see that this is very common among other members too.

A forum is a place where people discuss about an issue in public. So, as long as your reply to someone is not "off-topic", it's better to post it in public. Even if you want to ask a question from a certain user, I think it's better to ask it in public as much as possible. A question to someone or a reply of yours to someone asking a question can be helpful to others too.
I have seen some threads that two users reply to each other consecutively and no other one is involved in their discussion. I don't say it's better to talk about that in private. Because their discussion can be helpful to me too.
Generally, it's better to send a personal message only for something that is really irrelevant to others. For example when I want to send my email address or Telegram ID to someone.

I had more then four hundred pages of PMS sent to my main account. I have sent more then 375  pages of replies. Buysolar and I are driving back to howell nj from clifton nj or I would check to see the exact amounts .  Over the years I helped scores of newbires get started to mine .

I try as much h as possible not to send PM's and the reason is, honestly a large majority of users do not like being sent a private message, more especially if it's an issue that can be sorted out on the thread, I wouldn't be wrong to say that the moment you sent a user a PM, they are always curious as to why the user sent them a PM, they have their guard up immediately as to if the user is a scammer and the rest of that, except if it's a PM from accounts that have previously chatted or from well established accounts.

To avoid most of the inconveniences attached to sending a user a private message, much as its within my power, I'll keep everything in the open, except if it's indeed something that ought to be handled just by the both of us.

Just got home and checked.
Why more then I realized.
They sent me 657 pages of input.
And it is 498 pages of replies.

13140 pms in

9600 pms out.

22740 pms over the last 7 years.
3200+ each year.
About 9 a day total in and out.

Fuck that is a lot of pms.

PMs are not something I sent often although, u have received a few and that started a conversation. I do not quite find the message layout comfortable for an extended discussion, especially as I first think, 'why would my post be deleted' when I see a message notification.
I would much rather ask for your telegram and chat there.

A little off topic; is anyone else seeing a different layout for BT? Just got back online after a while, and it's a little modified.

I get what most are saying about wanting to keep everything out in the open. I was mostly curious as to how often someone might try and clear up a disagreement or misunderstanding in PM before posting it. Even then I'm not saying that just because you tried to clear it up first doesn't mean you can't still proceed to post about it. This was very well put, I found myself struggling to make with the good words for the explaining.

I agree that open discussion is nice in a thread about anything on topic. I don't even mind when you see 2 users go back and forth in a thread as long as it's relevant and still moving the topic forward. I've heard about some people not liking when they receive a PM, but I've never cared. It was kinda nice the first few times someone reached out for something, usually I could just direct them somewhere. Scammers have tried a few times, but it never really bothered me as I could just delete it and move on; similar to tagging and moving on in a thread.

I had to laugh in my haste I found myself not using the PM function and instead posting. It was a good reminder though to a benefit of the PM in that situation. Not everyone checks back to threads they've replied in. This isn't the same scenario but a similar situation where maybe the user wouldn't have seen the reply.
If I had to guess I would say you have an entire page from me if not more. Some newbies are hard to teach. Good as time as any to say thanks again for all the help, and for replying to PM's.

Almost forgot. When I mentioned trust changes. For me specifically, it was letting a change to my trust list that affected a users position and my reasoning for that change. I have considered a PM for 1 or 2 users who I 99% want on my trust list, but that I disagree with only a few of their ratings. I haven't sent that PM yet or tried to engage in that discussion, mostly because I got busy this last while.

Same here! I rarely send personal messages. Aside from not being a fan of PMs in this forum, I don't think it's necessary unless it is. I only send such when I have a question or anything related to my campaign to my manager or any important matter with another member.

As of the moment, I have only sent 13 personal messages: 12 of which are campaign-related and one to my fellow countryman about his thread that I included in one of my response just to inform him and avoid misunderstandings. Otherwise, it's more on public discussions.

I use it very often since I have got some clients here and only communication channel/medium we are using is bitcointalk PM system, that's why I had to dig the forum's PM system (https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5161490.0) to filter message.
Sometimes, I send PM to get help on forum issue or anyny other if I believe the person will not feel disturbed.

If there is a beef with me and someone I don't use pm's  I post in the open.

I probably send 10 a week, usually replying to people. I rarely start a PM conversation myself.

Same here mate. I started a PM last time with Hhampuz when the payrate of Bitvest was reduced. I am doing any trade here, that's why I am not using the PM feature much, only if I need something important to discuss.

If only I can reply to Maggiordomo, I may have tons now. But since I can't,  I rarely send PMs, only when I'm curious on something and when I'm unto something. The majority of my messages on my Outbox was sent to Jet Cash, LoyceV and Hhampuz.
From my 6th page to 45th, Maggiordomo has taken a full control of my Inbox 😂

I don't use PM's very often, but there is almost 30 pages of messages in my inbox. Usually I communicate with people about my own website and stuff on - they requesting to add something to it or just giving suggestions how to improve it. Also, I use PM when I want to hire someone for job/task or when I want to be hired. Bitcointalk football prediction pools is another PM topic. Also, when I was in old Yobit campaign, discussions with other participants about campaign related issues was often thing :D
I noticed one trend in Service sevtion and Marketplace - when OP asks to contact him via PM, but people are still replying to topic. And we all know reason why they are doing it 8)