Would it reduce the number of new user questions on this topic if there were a PM button for new user that, instead of allowing sending a PM, popped up a notice like:
“You are not allowed to send private messages until you have made at least 15 substantive posts. Trivial posts to increase the post count are not allowed. However, you may reply by private message to someone who has sent a private message to you.”
Thank you very much for this information. I am new to the whole “forum” thing on the internet. I do wish that CC had their information easier for a newbie to be able to figure out. Maybe it’s just me! Thanks again.
Thank you!!!
@CCadmin_Sorin
What qualifies as a ‘post’? I have 13 replies and 3 threads and still can’t PM.
@Asiankid10, try logging out and then back in. You should be able to send messages at that point.
Thanks for the help everyone!
Thank you, this is very helpful
@Asiankid10 Did logging in and out again help you?
This is so cumbersome, but I get it. Post #7
Been on for a year… But unlike most, I research an answer rather than asking a question that has been asked and answered many times, so I don’t post much… No I guess I have to post the type of redundant posts I hate so I can PM someone… (This is number 7)
21 POINTS
@bobmor, perhaps you could share some of the knowledge that you’ve researched, then? Those would be substantive posts. Why do you need to PM if you don’t need answers on CC?
When I am a parent of a High School senior, I honestly am a bigger of consumer of information than contributor… Next year, hopefully I can contribute much more. In the mean time, I guess I’ll just have to “re-ask” the same question many others do over and over to get a valid number of meaningful posts. So, is there anyway you can fix the system to allow users like me that have been on many times over a period of a year to have the privilege of asking a question or PM to someone, something that probably doesn’t add value to the masses, or do I just have to make sure I meet your 15 posts… (Number 8, hopefully “substantive” enough.
Also, like one other person said. You might want to make this issue much more public. I have "PM"ed over this year. So when it wasn’t working I assumed there was some block and spent lots of time trying to figure it out, only to find I need to join the club of asking redundant questions or elaborating on the obvious to make actual results more difficult to find. Maybe you want to think of a better algorithm rather than encouraging noise
I’m going to give you my opinion. There is no need to PM…and in fact, unsolicited PMs are a violation of the TOS here.
Post your questions on the forum. That way you will get responses from a variety of folks. And your question might be one that will actually help another person who is reading.
I just looked…I even have 2 “badges”, maybe your algorithm could take into account “badges” rather than just number of quotes. And I can’t tell, but maybe it takes into account “length” to make it substantial. Reading between the lines here but there are suggesting that this is the case.
@MaineLonghorn Thanks… What I meant was I “look for an answer on CC” rather than just a “Lazy” question at the end about things that have already been covered (In may fourms, this is considered “bad form”. I don’t see the point of simply regurgitating what is earlier in a forum, but I guess that is encouraged…I guess I’m used to other fourms where people are considered lazy for not looking at what’s already been written… But your point is valid and I hope as my twins get into schools, I have information that I can share.
@thumper1 Since people are critical, I’ll explain. I was discussing a specific question with a College counselor here that I had a dialogue with Months ago (back when I had PM privileges). I had a follow up question and when I went to her account to PM her, there was no longer a button. So while I appreciate your “opinion” or I would suggest it’s more of an uninformed critique, I’ll do my own thing (and follow the rules) if that’s ok with you. And I would rather have PM’d this because I don’t think it’s anyone’s business why I’m PMing a college counselor about my son on here.
Also, just one other point…hopefully to help the moderators etc. As I said, we have twins that have applied to over 25 schools combined. My wife’s account is the “social one”…She refers to her CC friends. I try to “answer questions” for her by researching what is here. However, today I had a follow up question, as I said from months ago a to a person that was a counselor at one of the schools my son (about my son’s application). I ended up sending an email, but it would have been easier here. Not sure what PM is for, if not that. I also understand that need to try to squelch spam etc and no solution is perfect. My suggestion is that there is another parameter to determine a credible user, such as length of account being open etc. Just a thought… Thanks for listening…I’ll go find some places to contribute so I can earn the privilege of PM my wife…lol (tongue and cheek - Humor…etc.)
how many posts must you have before getting access to the PM feature
15 substantive posts. A series of posts such as, “Great!” “You have a good chance!” etc. are considered spam and will be deleted.
This is a useful thread and should be highlighted somewhere noticeable on home page.
Looks like the 15 post req. is there
It’s a little annoying that you have to post 15 times especially when trying to get into contact with someone in a good way via PM but I understand considering the negative things that can happen in giving people the ability right away