Private Message (PM) system operation - Read Receipts

[BradM]

A quick question...

In the private message system, there is "confirmed" messages and "unconfirmed" messages. All the unconfirmed messages seem to be ones that I have sent. Does that mean they have not been read/opened by the recipient?

[Wes Bucey]

Originally Posted by BradM

A quick question...

In the private message system, there is "confirmed" messages and "unconfirmed" messages. All the unconfirmed messages seem to be ones that I have sent. Does that mean they have not been read/opened by the recipient?

As I understand the software, when a member sends a message, he has the option to "request" a confirmation from each recipient.

However, similarly to the way Outlook and Outlook Express email operates, the recipient is not "forced" to reply and may read the message without confirming.

As I looked back through my own receipts (I automatically request a confirmation), I have a few (not many) unconfirmed messages, BUT some of those WERE responded to by the addressee so I know they WERE read.

When I receive private messages, I "usually" click the confirmation request, but not always, especially if I am distracted by something else.

Why not send me a pm and I will try to reply without confirming to see if that may be the case with your unconfirmed messages - read by the recipient, but not confirmed.

[Marc]

Originally Posted by BradM

In the private message system, there is "confirmed" messages and "unconfirmed" messages. All the unconfirmed messages seem to be ones that I have sent. Does that mean they have not been read/opened by the recipient?

Yes. There have been changes to the Private Message system over the years, so in part it will depend upon when the PMs were sent. The default is (and has been for a while now) that if someone reads a PM they can not 'deny' a 'Read Receipt' (it will be marked as Read) if they actually read the PM.

The Sender does have the choice of whether or not to require a Read Receipt when they send someone a PM. I always require a Read Receipt when I send a PM because I want to know whether a PM has been read or not, and if it was read when it was read.

[Coury Ferguson]

Originally Posted by Marc

Yes. There have been changes to the Private Message system over the years, so in part it will depend upon when the PMs were sent. The default is (and has been for a while now) that if someone reads a PM they can not 'deny' a 'Read Receipt' (it will be marked as Read) if they actually read the PM.

The Sender does have the choice of whether or not to require a Read Receipt when they send someone a PM. I always require a Read Receipt when I send a PM because I want to know whether a PM has been read or not, and if it was read when it was read.

That is a good policy and I think it should stay that way. I always like to know if someone opened the PM or any emails that I have sent.

It really doesn't mean they "read" only that is was opened.

[Marc]

Originally Posted by Wes Bucey

As I looked back through my own receipts (I automatically request a confirmation), I have a few (not many) unconfirmed messages, BUT some of those WERE responded to by the addressee so I know they WERE read.

What are the dates?

Originally Posted by Wes Bucey

When I receive private messages, I "usually" click the confirmation request

Unless the software is screwing up, you shouldn't have the choice of refusing a 'Read' confirmation when a Read Receipt is requested by the sender and you do read the PM message. You might have had that option as a Super Moderator in the past, but not for a while now.

[Marc]

Originally Posted by Coury Ferguson

It really doesn't mean they "read" only that is was opened.

Well, yes. A person can open a PM and technically not read it, but they can not open a PM and deny the Read Request 'Read' marker being set.

A person can simply NOT open a PM and the Read Request 'Read' marker will not be set, but then they won't know what the PM says unless they open it (which, of course, sets the Read Request 'Read' marker).

[Wes Bucey]

Originally Posted by Marc

Well, yes. A person can open a PM and technically not read it, but they can not open a PM and deny the Read Request 'Read' marker being set.

A person can simply NOT open a PM and the Read Request 'Read' marker will not be set, but then they won't know what the PM says unless they open it (which, of course, sets the Read Request 'Read' marker).

Dates WERE old - is it important? If so, I'll look them up.

My email notices contain the entire text of the pm, so technically, I could, and have in the recent past, deliberately not opened some pms unless I intended to reply becase I already knew the content.

[Marc]

Yes, I purposefully put in the text of a PM (Private Message) in PM notification emails. Many (most?) forums I visit do not which forces one to visit the forum to find out what the PM says (assuming one wants to know what is in the PM).

The bottom line is either way, not opening a PM indicates that either the person isn't interested in replying or doesn't understand what is happening with the software (e.g.: has no idea what the PM system is and/or how to use it). Depending upon the person/people involved and the content/intent this can mean different things.

I *can* take the text out of the PM email notification to make the PM Read flag a bit more 'accurate'. What are you folk's opinion on doing that? Now that you have me thinking about it, maybe I should take the text of the PM out so that the content of PMs isn't recorded in their email program on their computer (or in GMail or other service).