I have deleted all the private messages in my box, as of today. And thank you to Pauline for instructions on how to do this.

There have been a flurry of maybe 50-60 PM hitting me in the last two weeks -- in comparison to a total of perhaps 12 in the last 6 years (or so, can't remember when this PM system started).

Did I pay a Premium membership fee to receive PM? (I know this sounds like a question that I should know the answer to, but I don't! )

I think that my Gold star membership ends sometime in the summer of 2008. Is there any way that I can "turn off" private messaging between now and then?

I won't be renewing if it is not possible to turn off this PM feature. It may work very well for other people, but I can't handle this -- and earn a living.

I've been there.

I just poked around, and here's what I found--

Click "go" then "Personal Zone" then "Preferences" then scroll down to "Private Message Options".

Using the Go menu, go to Personal Zone, Preferences. The last option allows you to set who if anyone can send you personal messages. Change it there and click Submit.

Also --- There may be another solution to the problem, without cutting off your access to all PMs. The problem may be that you are somehow in a group PM (however well intentioned, as I recently did) you can simply delete the PM. Then you are no longer part of the group and you won't be bombarded by messages. The problem with group PMs is that every time anyone posts a reply, every single person on the PM list gets it.

Marian, I got one of those group PM's recently and deleted it immediately. I did so because it had been sent to 40 or 50 people and I knew that meant PM hell for me. I've been there before and I found it overwhelming. Good intentions, but just too much to handle.

quote:

The problem with group PMs is that every time anyone posts a reply, every single person on the PM list gets it.

My sincere apologies to everyone - I am the offender here who posted a goup PM - I completely forgot that everyone would receive all responses.

I actually wasn't expecting responses I was just passing on some information which I felt could not be posted on the main board any more - but ST members being the kind hearted people that they are some did send a message back.

I hope I didn't cause too much distress.

Sheena,

No worries! It's always nice to pass on information and I did see that info. about the rental on the group blog as well.

Modern technology is tricky at times. We're just learning to work out the kinks here.

And please know it's not just you. I delete all group PM's now to avoid being flooded with PM's. If it's a group gift, about a GTG, etc., I save it until things are completed. It's just a way to keep things easy...

Remember, too, that you can "exit" any Private Message.

When you have the specific PM open, click on Tools -> Exit Topic.

You'll no longer see that topic in your list, or receive copies of anyone's posts to that particular topic.

I have deleted the message I sent, and as I am the original poster that will delete it from everyone's PMs (at least it will according to the instructions at the bottom of my PM page - I hope that is correct)

quote:

Originally posted by Colleen:
Remember, too, that you can "exit" any Private Message.

When you have the specific PM open, click on Tools -> Exit Topic.

You'll no longer see that topic in your list, or receive copies of anyone's posts to that particular topic.

I think this is the better option when compared with intimidating people from posting info that is relevant to many. Sending one by one would be bizarre. Thus, since there is the option to opt out of a message, then it is incumbent on a receiver to make his/her own choices.

Sheena, I was quite all right with your message.

quote:

it is incumbent on a receiver to make his/her own choices.

I do believe that is the point.

Colleen, thanks for the exit topic tip. It is always good to have options...

Thank you for the instructions. I didn't realize that I could 'exit" a conversation, and I'll use that in future -- rather than opting out completely.

Sheena, your group thread was only a small contributor. BGE's group email about paying for the trolley car for Savannah landed 45+ messages onto my laptop -- and (if I haven't synched it) these messages are then "pushed" on to my Blackberry.

Not to worry though, now that I now how to "exit", I will be fine!

Another choice is to just turn off notification by email of PMs. That way, your inbox does not overflow but once you are online and logged in to SlowTalk, you will see the New PM tab alerting you to the fact that you have a PM.

Yes, Sheena, no problem with your group e-mail for me. It's the easiest way, after all, for you to contact a whole bunch of ST members. But when I saw that many people were responding, and doing so to the PM rather than you directly, I just exited ---- gracefully, I hope ---- from the group.