Weblog entry #128 for Steve
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Over the weekend I got two mails from users asking if I could add "user-messaging". (ie. private "mails" sent between users, not via email, and not disclosing users email addresses)
Having thought about it I think I'm going to say no, this site doesn't really need that kind of thing. If you want to chat about articles: leave a comment.
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I can imagine adding messaging would be fun, and it would be a neat thing to code, but it just feels .. out of place?
If anybody wants to persuade me now is the time. If you want to sponsor development that'd swing it too ;)
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[ Send Message | View dkg's Scratchpad | View Weblogs ]
Plus, adding private messaging means another place you'll probably need to police for spam.
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I can almost be persuaded to add it because it would be useful for me. I could easily imagine sending people messages to let them know their poll/article/advert was accepted/rejected along with an explaination.
I could also see it be useful to send people site-messages when they change their passwords, or other "security" things.
You're probably right that there are going to be corresponding downsides though, things happening in private and the possability of spam.
(I'd assumed I'd manage that like I do most things here - make it only work if you're signed in, and run bayasian filtering on the text. Blocking multiple identical messages, etc, would probably be sufficient unless it turned into an arms race.)
I think on balance I think it is a bad idea, but I'm still havering on the fence!
Still I'm always curious to learn what people thing is good/bad, or see suggestions for additions. Thinks like the user-bookmarks would never have been added if they weren't suggested...
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I don't see the need of user messaging, public comments are what we need, we do not need to hide informations.
Of course, if you need some kind of private messaging for administration purpose, that's ok, but I don't want ppl answering to a weblog in private.
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It isn't so much about hiding discussions as giving people more options. I can see that some people might be reluctant to comment on some blog entries/posts just for fear of being attacked, or inviting flames.
Still I guess we don't know what kind of discussion goes on in private anyway - there could be lots of mails going back and forward about things here and we'd never know!
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--
"It's Not Magic, It's Work"
Adam
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So far I've managed to avoid adding the system messaging since it'd be a reasonable amount of effort, but you're right it would be very useful for me. Right now I survive by sending people mails and hoping for the best!
I'll leave it on the backburner for now, and think about a minimal implementation just for me tm
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