Private message use

  • I have a quick question about threads taken private and threads changing in private, the reason is I like to use past solutions for new problems if the reply is private I cannot use it again. So how do I make sure all solutions remain posted in public thread only. Thanks in advance.

    Kind regards,
    Gift Peddie

  • IMHO, that reqiuires the participants to keep everything in the public threads. It is possible that some things may best be handled privately, but I would have to say that needs to be on a case by case basis and is really up to those involved.

    Normally, if people send me PM's asking for help, I instruct them to post it publicly as I don't provide free one-on-one assistance. There have been occasions, however, that some proprietary information has been shared privately to assist in solving a proplem that was in and of itself kept public.

  • Lynn,

    Thanks I think threads that needs to remain public are taken private on me and changing subjects from complex to something that requires a lot of work. So I think I should ask all users to use public threads only.

    Kind regards,
    Gift Peddie

  • Sometimes that isn't possible. A few that I have helped went private because they could not provide the actual code on an open forum due to company restrictions. If you you are in a situation like that and are willing to help, it happens. Where possible, I try to have the OP post a sanatized version of what was done to solve the problem or issue so that people at least have some idea of what was done.

    Some situations reequire this type of handling. Granted, we could just turn them away, but what does that say about us at that point?

  • Gift, I think that you are right (and I think that's what Lynn is saying too). If someone PM's me about technical questions, I usually insist that they keep it public. VERY occasionally, someone will have what I consider a valid reason to keep it partly private.

    But generally not, so I like Lynn and most of the top poster here at SSC, try to keep it on the public forums where everyone can benefit.

    [font="Times New Roman"]-- RBarryYoung[/font], [font="Times New Roman"] (302)375-0451[/font] blog: MovingSQL.com, Twitter: @RBarryYoung[font="Arial Black"]
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  • RBarryYoung (6/24/2009)


    Gift, I think that you are right (and I think that's what Lynn is saying too). If someone PM's me about technical questions, I usually insist that they keep it public. VERY occasionally, someone will have what I consider a valid reason to keep it partly private.

    But generally not, so I like Lynn and most of the top poster here at SSC, try to keep it on the public forums where everyone can benefit.

    Yes, very well said. Thank you.

  • Thanks guys much appreciated.

    Kind regards,
    Gift Peddie

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