STARTING A PRIVATE CONVERSATION Private conversations perform the same task as our old private messages, but there are some added features... and with those additions come some added complexity. The first thing to realize is that private conversations are actually kind of like private forums that you can set up between yourself and one OR more other users. In that way, it's similar to Gmail and very different from a typical private message system. Let's go over the basics. How do you start a private conversation? Here are a couple of ways: Method 1. 1. Simply roll your mouse on the private conversation icon and click on "start a new conversation" like this: That will take you to a blank conversation page that looks like this: From here, simply enter then username of one or more people that you would like to start a private conversation with, give the convo a title and a message, and then click "start a conversation." Method 2. Let's say you found a car you want to inquire about in the classifieds and you want to send the seller a convo. Simply click on the username to access the user's user card and then click on "start a conversation" like this: From there, you will be able to start a private conversation with the seller. Easy.
READING YOUR CONVERSATIONS But how do you read your Conversations? Easy, find the Conversation icon and roll your mouse over it. Then, click "show all" like this: That will take you to a page that houses ALL of your conversations ordered by the most recently replied to first.
ADDING A USER TO A CONVERSATION Lets say you and a buddy are discussing your project and you are both stuck on what axle width is appropriate for the '38 Ford you are building. Neither of you know the answer, but you are pretty sure @Kevin Lee does. So, what do you do? You invite Kevin to your conversation... First, go to the conversation in question and click on "invite more" located in the side bar just under the list of users that are currently participating in the conversation. Here's a screen shot: When you click that, a window will pop up that allows you to add any user or users you want to the conversation. In essence, this is a more advanced method than simply forwarding a private message to someone as once a user is invited to a conversation, they have the full history and context of that conversation.
LEAVING (OR DELETING) A CONVERSATION But once a conversation is over and your tired of @Kevin Lee's bullshit, how do you get rid of it? Easy, you just leave the conversation. To leave a conversation, simply go to the conversation in question and find the control drop down box on the upper right hand side of the screen. It looks like this: Once that is done, you have left the conversation and it will not longer appear in your inbox.
ADDITIONAL FEATURES As I mentioned in the beginning of this tutorial, I have mixed feelings about this new feature. In some ways, I feel like it's a little too complex... that being said, this complexity does allow us to do things that previously we were unable to do. Here's a few examples: 1. You can attach images and files to private conversations. They work just like a private forum, so adding images from your computer or your album works exactly the same. This is pretty damned great. 2. Conversations can have context where private messages can not. I like the idea that you can invite a guy to your conversation and he immediately knows what's up as he has the entire history of the conversation. 3. There are no limits... Before, you guys were limited to a number of private messages. With this new system... there are no limits... at least for now.
I've been away for a while. Can't find old PM's. I got a link that said I have to sign up for some new email delivery service.
That link is not from the HAMB...if you are seeing it, you are not logged in. Log in, then follow Ryan's instructions
Someone started a conversation with me and I don't see what to click to reply to it, unless I'm blind.
Editor, Does the recipient get a notice to his outside (non-HAMB) e-mail (assuming he listed an address in his profile) ??
Biggest problem is this new system requires the addressee to log on befor the dialong can start evidently. Old PM at least you could hit him up-side the head with an email that he would more likely respond to! Does the Conversation send an email notification to the addressee?
If they have it selected as an option then yes they do. It seems to default to being on so unless they turned it off or changed their email address they should get one.
Wasted a lot of time trying to figure out how to send a PM. I think it would have been better to not change the semantics and simply keep the PM name and advertise "New PM Features Coming Out!" Its like when Microsoft introduces a new OS and renames everything. The functions are exactly the same but now you have to figure out what the new name is. It all sounds good to me except for calling it something different.
Unable to delete or "leave" conversation(s). Clicked on link as per instructions here to "leave" and get error message instead of it deleting the conversation. WTF??????????
Ryan, are our old PM files still accessible anywhere? I kept interesting ones in the file and referred to them from time to time; now I can't find them at all.
I did hear from Ryan in response to my question about PM's. He said "...due to privacy issues we don't archive any private messages." Oh well.
Ryan, I am trying to add another member to a conversation, but there is no "Invite Others" option. How can I add another participant???
Can we vote here? I like It sucks <--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I can do everything with a pm easily.....except figure out how to send it. Where or what is the send button? There is no post reply.
I feel...I feel... the rapid onset of waves of acid reflux. I am particularly keen to analyze the psychological triggers that effect human health, quality of life the onset of all varieties of disease. I think...I think that... oh yeah, you've got a good one hear....
How do you post a reply to these things? I've got a guy asking me questions, and I cannot for the life of me find any way to reply him. Help! EDIT: OK, so I went and clicked some other conversations in my box and those have a reply box at the bottom just like any other normal page. Did the guy maybe inadvertently "leave" the conversation, which is why I can't reply to him? If that's the case, there needs to be some notification that this has happened, so we know what's going on. Also, if that's what happened, how do I proceed? Just start a new conversation with him? I'm sure this feature will be fine once everyone figures it out, but the instructions currently leave something to be desired.
The Jalopy Journal
