Newbie PM opt-in

[theymos]

In response to the annoying PM spam, you now have to opt into receiving PMs from newbies. The option is in your PM preferences. You also can't send PMs to newbies if you haven't opted in. Copper members are exempt, but only if you're wearing the copper membership.

You should opt into receiving newbie PMs if you post offers in the marketplace, if you like answering newbie questions, if you're a moderator, etc.

To start with, if you sent a PM to a newbie in the last 30 days, you're already "opted in".

[hilariousetc]

I'm sure many users will appreciate it. Is this new restriction/feature actually stated anywhere other than here so users actually know they're already opted out? Wouldn't it be better to allow all messages at first but give a warning with PMs from newbies such as something like "Find this message annoying? Go into personal settings to block messages from brand new/newbie accounts" etc?

[blue5dragon]

Erm...you've just created a problem for me with this. I just went to send a message to someone about tokens that they wanted to buy and I can't send it. The trouble is that he has given me 0.1 ETH as a deposit so that I would keep a certain amount of them back for him and so that I could move some of it into the wallet where the tokens are so he could see that I really have the AGI tokens.

But now I can't get hold of him again to finalise anything. The tokens are unfrozen on the 15th and we will be able to complete the transaction then, but if he dosn't know about the PM thing then he might think I'm ignoring him and trying to steal the ether he sent me.

I have changed my account so that I can recive messages from newbies, so he can contact me, but I won't be able to reply to him if he does.

Any idea what I should do about this?

[pugman]

In response to the annoying PM spam, you now have to opt into receiving PMs from newbies. The option is in your PM preferences. You also can't send PMs to newbies if you haven't opted in. Copper members are exempt, but only if you're wearing the copper membership.

You should opt into receiving newbie PMs if you post offers in the marketplace, if you like answering newbie questions, if you're a moderator, etc.

Thank you so much theymos, finally users can stop getting bothered by the annoying ICO spammers. Appreciate it. Something is finally being done here and if you continue to do wonderful things like this, soon this forum would be a better place to visit to.
Update :-
Theymos, I noticed a combo box which mentions about whether you should receive emails about pms or not. Why not add an option to just ignore the newbie messages and not disturb users via mail. Because most of the users only get irritated that their email gets spammed than their forum account.

[theymos]

Erm...you've just created a problem for me with this. I just went to send a message to someone about tokens that they wanted to buy and I can't send it. The trouble is that he has given me 0.1 ETH as a deposit so that I would keep a certain amount of them back for him and so that I could move some of it into the wallet where the tokens are so he could see that I really have the AGI tokens.

I just made it so that everyone who has sent a PM to a newbie in the last 30 days is already "opted in". Does that fix your issue?

Wouldn't it be better to allow all messages at first but give a warning with PMs from newbies such as something like "Find this message annoying? Go into personal settings to block messages from brand new/newbie accounts" etc?

I didn't do that because I think that only a certain subset of users (maybe a minority) want to ever receive PMs from newbies, so it seemed to make more sense for such people to opt in.

[blue5dragon]

I just made it so that everyone who has sent a PM to a newbie in the last 30 days is already "opted in". Does that fix your issue?

Thanks, that works.

It is a great idea blocking newbies, was just a bit of a supprise. I don't know how many spam pm's you guys get cos I'm still a newbie so I dont get any, but I'm guessing that it's a really annoying problem. Think many people will be relieved that they can switch off to them.

[Coin-Keeper]

Theymos,


Nice move here!

[DarkStar_]

can you make one post/day for first 14 days?

I don't think that's a good idea. Newbies are often here for Technical Support (just check the subforum for it) because their new and might need some help or made a mistake. Limiting them to 1 post/day, combined with the 1 pm/day limitation makes it a lot harder to help those with a problem - requesting more info will take a day, asking if it worked will take another day, and so on.

[mprep]

Finally. Not exactly a perfect solution, but an effective one at least. Would be great if users who haven't opted into receiving PMs from newbies would see some sort of notice in the Inbox. Just in case someone's expecting a PM from a newbie and isn't up to par with the latest restrictions.

[The Sceptical Chymist]

Erm...you've just created a problem for me with this. I just went to send a message to someone about tokens that they wanted to buy and I can't send it. The trouble is that he has given me 0.1 ETH as a deposit so that I would keep a certain amount of them back for him and so that I could move some of it into the wallet where the tokens are so he could see that I really have the AGI tokens.

But now I can't get hold of him again to finalise anything. The tokens are unfrozen on the 15th and we will be able to complete the transaction then, but if he dosn't know about the PM thing then he might think I'm ignoring him and trying to steal the ether he sent me.

I have changed my account so that I can recive messages from newbies, so he can contact me, but I won't be able to reply to him if he does.

Any idea what I should do about this?

You're a casualty of change.  Just ask a senior member to send a PM for you if you have any friends here. 

I think this is definitely a step in the right direction as far as the much-needed overhaul bitcointalk needs.  Nice to see theymos doing something.   Oddly enough, I haven't gotten but one or two spammy PMs in the past couple months.  Anyway, your inconvenience is only temporary.   Know you'll know to plan ahead.

[Vod]

Erm...you've just created a problem for me with this. I just went to send a message to someone about tokens that they wanted to buy and I can't send it. The trouble is that he has given me 0.1 ETH as a deposit so that I would keep a certain amount of them back for him and so that I could move some of it into the wallet where the tokens are so he could see that I really have the AGI tokens.

But now I can't get hold of him again to finalise anything. The tokens are unfrozen on the 15th and we will be able to complete the transaction then, but if he dosn't know about the PM thing then he might think I'm ignoring him and trying to steal the ether he sent me.

I have changed my account so that I can recive messages from newbies, so he can contact me, but I won't be able to reply to him if he does.

Any idea what I should do about this?

Exchange email addresses on the forum.

[Quickseller]

This should reduce the ability for spammers to advertise via unsolicited PM spam. It also might allow newbie PM restrictions to be lowered somewhat.

Overall, great idea.

[hilariousetc]

Wouldn't it be better to allow all messages at first but give a warning with PMs from newbies such as something like "Find this message annoying? Go into personal settings to block messages from brand new/newbie accounts" etc?

I didn't do that because I think that only a certain subset of users (maybe a minority) want to ever receive PMs from newbies, so it seemed to make more sense for such people to opt in.

You're probably right and it will cut down on a lot of other unsolicited PM spam as well but I think the restriction/option to turn it on/off should be clearly stated so people are even aware of it. New users who run businesses here will likely want or need to receive PMs from them and they might be completely unaware of this restriction otherwise.

It is a great idea blocking newbies, was just a bit of a supprise. I don't know how many spam pm's you guys get cos I'm still a newbie so I dont get any, but I'm guessing that it's a really annoying problem. Think many people will be relieved that they can switch off to them.

This PM spam has become a huge problem and hence why changes had to be made. Staff are probably getting in excess of 50 reports a day and not all of them will even be reported.

can you make one post/day for first 14 days?

I don't think that's a good idea. Newbies are often here for Technical Support (just check the subforum for it) because their new and might need some help or made a mistake. Limiting them to 1 post/day, combined with the 1 pm/day limitation makes it a lot harder to help those with a problem - requesting more info will take a day, asking if it worked will take another day, and so on.

Yeah, this would be too restrictive/annoying and turn many genuine users away.

[theymos]

You're probably right and it will cut down on a lot of other unsolicited PM spam as well but I think the restriction/option to turn it on/off should be clearly stated so people are even aware of it. New users who run businesses here will likely want or need to receive PMs from them and they might be completely unaware of this restriction otherwise.

If a newbie is stopped from sending a PM due to this, they get get:

User _____ has not chosen to allow messages from newbies. You should post in their relevant thread to remind them to enable this setting.

And if you try to PM a newbie while you're ignoring newbies, you get:

User _____ is a newbie, but your options are set such that you cannot receive PMs from newbies. Therefore, you cannot send PMs to newbies, either.

So I think that it should be rare for people to be unaware of it. If a newbie posts a trading thread, then they'll have people posting to remind them.

[Shazam!!!]

I could see this as a good feature here, especially for members who are high seniority. The question
that pops in my mind is, what about people who have to make a new account for recovery of an old
or hacked account? Are we safe to assume that theymos and Cyrus or other staff will be able to get
messages from them still?

[choisunam]

I get frequent and do not know how to fix...

[hilariousetc]

So I think that it should be rare for people to be unaware of it. If a newbie posts a trading thread, then they'll have people posting to remind them.

Nice. Seems to have been pretty effective already as the report messages have pretty much stopped.

I could see this as a good feature here, especially for members who are high seniority. The question
that pops in my mind is, what about people who have to make a new account for recovery of an old
or hacked account? Are we safe to assume that theymos and Cyrus or other staff will be able to get
messages from them still?

He's already addresses this:

You should opt into receiving newbie PMs if you post offers in the marketplace, if you like answering newbie questions, if you're a moderator, etc.

As annoying as it is Staff will have to allow them. The most annoying thing was the actual reported messages which have seemingly stopped now. I don't think I ever got any of the spam direct (which would have been pretty stupid of them to do).

[Fawez]

Dear Manager/full Members,
I know it is annoying to receive spam PMs from newbies, but this new features would not help those  with huge growth potential (like me ) we all have been newbies one day so insteed of rejecting us you might actually help us and improve this platform.
Cheers.

[Jet Cash]

Dear Manager/full Members,
I know it is annoying to receive spam PMs from newbies, but this new features would not help those  with huge growth potential (like me ) we all have been newbies one day so insteed of rejecting us you might actually help us and improve this platform.
Cheers.

Well you haven't got huge growth potential if you are going to bump old threads like this. Why would we want to receive private messages from you. In fact based on the fact that you have just joined the forum, and you already want to change things, I don't think I want to read your posts either. I suspect that the next ones will be complaining about the merit system, and the fact that it is stopping you from becoming a millionaire by June.

[mdayonliner]

I never had the opportunity to explore the Personal Message Options page but seems like this is a good move. We can now control if we really want to hear from them or not. I personally chose to hear from them so I tick marked it. IMO there are newbies who are looking for QA and if they can PM for any assistance then it's gonna help them on their query.

Finally. Not exactly a perfect solution,

IMO no project, no idea or nothing is perfect. It's relative, depends on how we see it.

Thanks theymos to leave the option to me.