We need to be able to search PMs!

[getstuff4less]

I can't tell you how many times I have to click through 10-20 PMs in order to find a quote or info. :cool:

[getstuff4less]

Is this not a good idea?

[AndyF]

+1 if you mean your own inbox (not some ACP tool to search everyone's) :)

[Renita]

+2 as I think that's exactly what they meant and we need the same thing.

[Michael]

I've often wanted this feature, a big +1 from me.

[MrEdd]

Agreed, many times I've wished I could just do a search on the PMs in my inbox.

[getstuff4less]

Yes, I meant our own PMs. I doubt IPS would build in a feature to search everyones PMs....LOL. PMs are like e-mail...I have almost 2K and it's hard finding info sometimes.

[cofee_iv]

Here here! I've needed this feature. Would have saved me a ton of time.

[Mark H.]

The subject has been glossed over up till now, so I'll bring it up in black and white....

With the laws being what they are now here in the US, it's entirely probable that the site owner can be held criminally liable for the content of their forum, INCLUDING the PM's. Google may get away with saying they can't possibly know everything that goes on in their system, but you won't have any such luxury.

I may be in the minority with my philosophy, but because of that situation I'll have no hesitation whatsoever to read, search, sort, shuffle, dice, chop, or do any damn thing I please with any and ALL content on my site, and that includes PM's.

There is no "expectation of privacy" in a Forum unless you, as the site owner, say there is and then stand behind the statement. It's the same as any company for which you work, and which has the right to search ANYTHING you author using their resources.

And should one of your members engage in cyber-stalking or child predation, guess who they're going to paint with the same broad brush as the perpetrator? Scream your innocence to the rooftops all you wish, if the Public gets blood in their eyes you won't stand a chance. Add to that a Prosecutor with an agenda in an election year, and your chances get even worse.

I choose to protect my own interests first, since no one else will do so. Justice, these days, goes to those who can afford to pay for it. And at the moment, I can't afford a lawyer to fight so much as a parking ticket. *shrug*

RV

[Cybertimber2009]

Dude, he's suggesting being able to search WITHIN your messages saved in the Inbox, Sent, and any other folder under your own member ID.

Not every member on the board.

[Mark H.]

And I'm saying that a search function should include ALL of the PM's. Each to his own...... dude.

[Renita]

Well get your own topic then? You clearly misunderstood the purpose of this one, no man overboard is it? Perhaps next time read all posts?

We're talking about the ability to search your own inbox, chillax dude. Being able to search your own pm's is not breaking any privacy laws, which, by the way, are already out the window because my members know I can search their PM's in cases where it seems needed. Simply by entering the table in the database :P

[The Clash]

+1 to original suggestion.

[Mark H.]

Well get your own topic then? You clearly misunderstood the purpose of this one, no man overboard is it? Perhaps next time read all posts?

We're talking about the ability to search your own inbox, chillax dude. Being able to search your own pm's is not breaking any privacy laws, which, by the way, are already out the window because my members know I can search their PM's in cases where it seems needed. Simply by entering the table in the database :P

I did read all the replies. This IS the Feedback category, and I gave feedback. Should I make a duplicate thread, with the same title, just to voice an opinion that doesn't agree with yours? And just FYI, searching other member's PMs isn't breaking any privacy laws, at least not here.

Title of post: "We need to be able to search PMs!"

And I agree. But I'm of the opinion it should be all PM's and not just your own, which is why I posted what I did. This subject has been raised before, and not just in the Feedback category. Reading member's PMs is something that a lot of people want to dance all around, as though they're afraid they'll "offend" someone. At least one Mod exists to read PM's, and I'm 99% sure I've seen two more than that one. Whether IPS chooses to implement any or all suggestions in this thread is up to them. I'd be little surprised if they did, even to do your own PM's.

If you choose not to search any PM's other than your own, that's fine. If you're the site owner it's your prerogative to do so or not as you see fit, unless your laws prohibit it. As I said, mine don't, and I choose to stay informed about what people are doing on my site and their use of my resources. But I would rather the ability be native to IPB, instead of an add-on modification.

[George Maciver]

If the content of PMs is such an issue for you and you're terrified of being dragged off to court for not being able to spyu on everyone within your community, you can disable the PM feature can't you? That's what I would do if it became a legal concern. I have no interest whatsoever in leafing through folks private messages.

Oh, and I hear you on the 'you've got a legitimate right to march in here and hijack a thread to voice your opinion' argument so I trust you'll be so kind as to allow me to voice mine without prejudice?

^_^

[Mark H.]

No objection whatsoever, George, though I don't feel I'm "hijacking" anything by expressing a desire to able to do what I asked, and for the reasons stated.

The content of everyday PM's actually ISN'T concern to me. I have no intention of regularly trolling though user's PMs. But it COULD be a concern, and I WILL look, if I get wind of some wrongdoing.

I simply want the ability to be able to do as much as *I* feel is necessary, with the least amount of work, to make sure that none of my users (some of whom who may be minors), are being stalked, harassed, or exposed to a predator. I think a LITTLE paranoia is a good thing.

Some may feel that my position is "too much" paranoia, but I'd rather safe than sorry. I agree that I'm more concerned than most about covering my butt, in the legal sense. But that's most probably because my Dad was a lawyer (and then a Judge). He's long-retired, but as I grew up he taught me what he felt I should know about liabilities.

And... I think I've said enough about it for now. As I thought, there are some rather strong opinions about the subject.

[W13]

I always thought that there was already a search feature for PMs ! I guess I was wrong ... but yeah, ++ to this suggestion :-)

[abobader]

This a good one, of course +1

[MrEdd]

Rainbowviper, everyones free to make their own requests for features but don't try to slide yours in under the guise of being anything remotely similar to what the topic starter requested. It is totally different. I believe the ability to search all members PMs by default would damage IPBoards reputation amongst users and potentially make people less likely to sign up to your board if you use IPB. So, despite potentially being useful on some rare occasions I would like to add my "No thanks" vote for your suggestion.

Back on topic: I would still like the ability to search through the thousands of PMs I have stored in my inbox.

[Brett B]

Rainbowviper: http://resources.invisionpower.com/index.p...p;showfile=1310

[Guest]

It would be very useful to search PMs, yes. +1.

[TCWT]

1

[Trialgan]

Thought you all might be interested :)

[BoT] PM Search v1.0.0 Released

Description

• This mod will allow you to easily search through your personal messages!
  

How to Install

• Installation instructions are included.
  

Where to Download

• Trialga.net Client Area
• Invisionize.com
• InvisionByte
• InvisionTweaks
• InvisionModding
• IBMafia
  

[getstuff4less]

Thank you for the mod! It provides a semi-permanent solution. However , as Invision said the Pm system is far under looked. This needs to be built in standard. It's certainly not bloat.

[Guest]

Nice mod indeed. I still believe this feature needs to ship with IPB though.