Personal messages are a private message system for forum members. It works much like email. Your personal message centre has an inbox and an outbox. You can also organise messages into groups. You can set preferences for your personal messages from your profile, including saving a copy of every message you send.

The quick links box (at the top of the screen) to your message centre.

Select the New message link. Enter the members' name, your message. You can change the standard message subject if you like. You can send a message to up to 5 people.

Pressing the Preview buttom shows your message at the top of the screen. You can now send it or re-write it.

To save a copy of a message in your outbox', check 'Save a copy of each message in my outbox'.

Tip: You can also send a message using the online/offline icon wherever these appear in the forum, including from the 'Who's online' screen.

You can organise messages into group by selecting the Manage message groups link in your message centre.

First, make a group.

Now you may group messages using the extra option in your inbox/outbox.

Can I make my message look more interesting?
For help with fancy styling like bold and using smileys, plus adding in links, see adding a link and making your message more interesting .

Can I attach a document or picture to a message?
No.

Every time I log on I get an alert that tells me I have new messages…
Personal messages options are set from your profile. To turn this alert off, go to 'Personal message options' and uncheck 'Show a popup when I receive a new messages'.

I sent a message - why isn't in my outbox?
To save message you send check 'Save a copy of each message in my outbox'. To set this up for all messages go to 'Personal message options' in your profile.

Can I block messages from a user?
You can block messages from individual users by setting this up in your profile. To ignore messages from a user type his/her name into the Ignore list (one name per line). To ignore all messages just type '*'.

If your question is not answered here:

• try looking in the Using the forum board
• post your question in Help questions and answers board

Help navigation:

• Main menu explained
• Forum index explained
• Board index explained
• Your profile
• Posting on a board
• Searching the forum
• Notifications - getting messages by email
• Privacy and confidentiality guide
• Quick guide - making the forum work for you