Private Message Tech Support

[desmond]

I'll investigate if we can stop PMs being sent by newcomers until they have successfully gone past the 3 post vetting process.

I felt sure we already prevented this, but will check.

Sounds like a good idea, if possible.

[ef37a]

I actually don't mind this TOO much but it can get a bit TOO much IYSWIM!

I have a guy in tow at the moment who is a smart as paint, 'puters and such but is struggling with the century old concepts of valves (whereas I am like a pig in'it' there but get confused about 1970 onward) as applied to a simple (to me) 2 valve amp that he wants to refurb and mod for guitar use.

We have exchanged a good score of emails and diagrams (he puts up with my PC numptyness without a word!) and he seems to be getting to grasp.

A couple of years ago I had I think 3 people on the go and it did head in a bit keeping track of what I was telling who!

I do agree however that this should certainly not be encouraged. How people like Hugh do what they DO do and keep all the balls in the air beats me!

Dave.

[Hugh Robjohns]

It involves standing on my head, Dave!

We've just done some tests, and it appears that there is a bug-ette in the system that does allow new forum members to post PMs directly, despite the system permissions apparently being set to prevent it. It is being investigated....

H

[Forum Admin]

The loophole is now plugged and new members cannot PM anyone, or even view the Members list in the grey menu bar, until they have submitted some posts and had three approved by the mod team.

[desmond]

Thanks for this!

[Martin Walker]

Hoorah!

I've had a few people join the SOS Forums just to PM me for specialised free advice as well!

Martin

[ef37a]

Hoorah!

I've had a few people join the SOS Forums just to PM me for specialised free advice as well!

Martin

Ah! Yes! Now, I've got this PC and........

Dave.

[Martin Walker]

Hoorah!

I've had a few people join the SOS Forums just to PM me for specialised free advice as well!

Martin

Ah! Yes! Now, I've got this PC and........

Dave.

More obscure than that Dave - I had one query about an audio interface I reviewed for SOS at least ten years ago, asking for advice on installing that model in a new computer.

To put this into context, over the years I reviewed a total of 86 interfaces for SOS between the years 1997 and 2010

People track down a review written donkey's years ago and expect the reviewer to remember each and every product as if it were yesterday

Martin

[desmond]

People track down a review written donkey's years ago and expect the reviewer to remember each and every product as if it were yesterday

People are a bit bizarre.

So I run this magazine archive site. I recently got a nice chap from LA who expected me to be able to tell him how to sync up his vintage multitrack reel-to-reel and autolocator (presumably a google search had led him to reviews of those items from the magazines from the actual '80s, and his train of thought must have been something along the lines of "this is the place that knows all about how to use every piece of gear from the last 40 years...")

I mean, I know a bit of stuff, but c'mon, I'm not superman...!

[Martin Walker]

I mean, I know a bit of stuff, but c'mon, I'm not superman...!

And you tell the kids today

They are all convinced THEY are already superman, but we are their Alfred The Butlers, available at the drop of a hat to sort out the nitty gritty problems as and when they arise.



Martin

[Forum Admin]

They are all convinced THEY are already superman, but we are their Alfred The Butlers, available at the drop of a hat to sort out the nitty gritty problems as and when they arise.

Think you're mixing your superheroes there, Martin.

Alfred was Bruce Wayne's butler (aka Batman) - checkout latest Gotham series on E4 telly on Tuesday nights.