A: In addition to exchanging messages publicly in the forums, you may be able to send another member a Private Message and/or email and/or talk to them with an instant messaging program such as AIM.

You can send a Private Message to another member only if they have enabled that option in their user settings. To see your own setting, view your User Options and locate the Enable Private Messaging checkbox. We suggest that all members check this checkbox.

To send a Private Message to another member, start a New Private Message and fill in the Recipient Username, or click a member's User Name anywhere you see it in the forums, to view his or her User Profile, and then click the Send a private message link. If there is no such link, he or she has disabled receiving Private Messages.

Private Messages protect your privacy because they are based on your User Name, and do not reveal your email address or other personal information.

To review your Private Message "inbox" see your Private Messages.

You can send an email message to another member if they have enabled that option in their user settings. To see your own setting, view your User Options and locate the Receive Email from Other Members checkbox. Members who want to keep their email address completely private should NOT check this checkbox nor send email via Marrowforums, because sending email reveals your email address to the recipient. For maximum privacy, use Private Messages instead.

To send email to another member, click the member's User Name anywhere you see it in the forums, to view their User Profile, and then click the Send a message via email link. If there is no such link, he or she has disabled receiving email.

You can IM another member if you know their friend/buddy name for AIM or another instant messaging service, which members may choose to put in their User Profiles. Members who want to keep their friend/buddy names completely private should NOT fill in these fields.

To IM another member, click a member's User Name anywhere you see it in the forums, to view their User Profile, and then click a link in the Instant Messaging section. If there are no such links, he or she has disabled receiving IM communications.

Instant Messages are private communications outside the forum system. Marrowforums can take no responsibility for their content.

If another forum member sends you a Private Message, there are three ways you can learn about it:

1. When you visit Marrowforums, you'll see a message that says "Private Messages: Unread 1" in the top right corner of the screen, under the "Welcome" message.
2. If you have checked the Receive Email Notification of New Private Messages checkbox in your User Options, you will receive an automatic email message when another member sends you a Private Message. This setting is recommended for all members because you will likely see the emailed notification quite soon after you are sent a Private Message. The feature is especially useful if you don't visit Marrowforums regularly. If you'd rather not get email from Marrowforums, do not check this option.
3. If you have checked the Show New Private Message Notification Pop-up checkbox in your User Options and receive a Private Message, a small window will appear on your screen when you next visit Marrowforums. It is much easier to notice than the "Private Messages: Unread 1" message in the corner of the screen. If you receive a lot of Private Messages and find the message window annoying, do not check this option.

If another forum member sends you email via Marrowforums, you will receive the message by email. You will see their email address and their message. The other forum member will not receive your email address unless you choose to reply by email to their message.

No. For your privacy, Private Messages and email sent through the forum system are not read, reviewed, or approved by Marrowforums. Forum members are responsible for their own messages and Marrowforums can take no responsibility for their content. If you receive an unsolicited and unwanted message from another member, please contact us.