Andy Y Posted January 22, 2010 Share Posted January 22, 2010 When a member receives notification of a PM in their inbox it contains the following line: PLEASE DO NOT REPLY DIRECTLY TO THIS EMAIL! You can reply to this personal conversation by following the link below: http://www.rmweb.co.uk/blahblahblah/ So how come people reply to the email directly? It won't reach the intended recipient as it ends up in one of my junk email folders. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold martin_wynne Posted January 22, 2010 RMweb Gold Share Posted January 22, 2010 So how come people reply to the email directly? Hi Andy, It's because many folks use only webmail and don't actually understand the difference between email and a web site. They don't realise that clicking "Reply" on a webmail page means sending an email. I have similar wording on Templot Club notifications, and also get people replying by email. There are several such places on RMweb where the instructions assume a greater level of computer understanding than many folks possess. Not sure what to do about it though. You can't write a computer manual in every help topic. regards, Martin. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonB Posted January 22, 2010 Share Posted January 22, 2010 Andy, I suggest you add .... Replies not monitored or forwarded ..... to the first line and insert inblock capitals in large font ..... ONLY ..... in the second line Add colour of choice!!! Good luck with the move. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold martin_wynne Posted January 22, 2010 RMweb Gold Share Posted January 22, 2010 I suggest you add .... Replies not monitored or forwarded ..... to the first line Hi Don, That won't work. Folks who didn't understand before won't understand the meaning of "monitored" or "forwarded". I suggest: If you can see a "Reply" button above this message, DON'T click it. Your message won't go anywhere if you do. If you want to reply to this message, click the link below. But many folks still won't take any notice. It's easier just to give up. It's their loss. regards, Martin. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pennine MC Posted January 22, 2010 Share Posted January 22, 2010 It's because many folks use only webmail and don't actually understand the difference between email and a web site. They don't realise that clicking "Reply" on a webmail page means sending an email. ... the instructions assume a greater level of computer understanding than many folks possess. Um, why do they need to understand computers, Martin? It's plain English - how much clearer could it be than PLEASE DO NOT REPLY DIRECTLY in huge great capitals Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hammer Posted January 22, 2010 Share Posted January 22, 2010 Hi Don, That won't work. Folks who didn't understand before won't understand the meaning of "monitored" or "forwarded". I suggest: If you can see a "Reply" button above this message, DON'T click it. Your message won't go anywhere if you do. If you want to reply to this message, click the link below. But many folks still won't take any notice. It's easier just to give up. It's their loss. regards, Martin. The main problem with that message is that it's just a tad patronising How about: "Remember to log into RMweb.co.uk/Community to read and reply" Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold martin_wynne Posted January 22, 2010 RMweb Gold Share Posted January 22, 2010 Um, why do they need to understand computers, Martin? It's plain English - how much clearer could it be than PLEASE DO NOT REPLY DIRECTLY in huge great capitals Because they don't understand what "directly" means in that context. They can see a message on their screen and they just want to make a reply to it. The skill in writing instructions is to forget everything that you know and put yourself in the reader's shoes instead. regards, Martin. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold martin_wynne Posted January 22, 2010 RMweb Gold Share Posted January 22, 2010 The main problem with that message is that it's just a tad patronising It's only patronising to those determined to be patronised. An intelligent reader will understand why it's there and not mind in the least. regards, Martin. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kenton Posted January 22, 2010 Share Posted January 22, 2010 Perhaps it is their way of saying Thank You for the notification Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Y Posted January 22, 2010 Author Share Posted January 22, 2010 Perhaps it is their way of saying Thank You for the notification Best smile of the day, that one.? However there could be several classified transactions that go wayward as a result of sending replies into a black hole (both sellers and buyers).? <_> Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonB Posted January 22, 2010 Share Posted January 22, 2010 One of the reasons why a direct reply is attempted is that the message to which the recipient is being alerted is quoted in the incoming email. Is there a way to just say *go to RMWEB to read* or words to that effect Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Chris116 Posted January 22, 2010 RMweb Premium Share Posted January 22, 2010 Maybe the best way would be to make the reply "undeliverable" so it just bounces back to the sender who failed to read the instructions. I am sure that it is possible to set up an address so that it sends but will not allow incoming messages that get bounced. Chris Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pennine MC Posted January 22, 2010 Share Posted January 22, 2010 Because they don't understand what "directly" means in that context. They can see a message on their screen and they just want to make a reply to it. FFS. Immediately below the capitals (yes, right below, not even double spaced), it says this: You can reply to this personal conversation by following the link below: The skill in writing instructions is to forget everything that you know and put yourself in the reader's shoes instead. I'm sure it is Martin, and I too get exasperated (on here, at work) by systems that are not user friendly; but if I had to be spoonfed to that extent, they're not shoes that I'd like to be in Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold martin_wynne Posted January 22, 2010 RMweb Gold Share Posted January 22, 2010 I'm sure it is Martin, and I too get exasperated (on here, at work) by systems that are not user friendly; but if I had to be spoonfed to that extent, they're not shoes that I'd like to be in Hi Ian, You don't have to like to be in them, just understand that others might be. Everyone has different skills. When you dial 999 and the paramedic arrives, you don't ask if he knows how to forward an email with an attachment. regards, Martin. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold beejack Posted January 22, 2010 RMweb Gold Share Posted January 22, 2010 Why not say: THIS IS AN AUTOMATED EMAIL - PLEASE DO NOT REPLY AS EMAILS RECEIVED AT THIS ADDRESS CANNOT BE RESPONDED TO. please log into RM WEb to check your Messages at: http://www.rmweb.co.uk Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Y Posted January 22, 2010 Author Share Posted January 22, 2010 Because it's a pain in the rear to change the scripting at the moment. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pennine MC Posted January 22, 2010 Share Posted January 22, 2010 When you dial 999 and the paramedic arrives, you don't ask if he knows how to forward an email with an attachment. No, but if there was a notice in the ambulance station that said DO NOT KILL ANY PATIENTS, I'd hope he could read and understand it Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Y Posted January 22, 2010 Author Share Posted January 22, 2010 Surely it read STNEITAP YNA LLIK TON OD? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold martin_wynne Posted January 22, 2010 RMweb Gold Share Posted January 22, 2010 Surely it read STNEITAP YNA LLIK TON OD? :icon_clap: Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Taz Posted January 22, 2010 RMweb Gold Share Posted January 22, 2010 Surely it read STNEITAP YNA LLIK TON OD? GROAN Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
250BOB Posted January 22, 2010 Share Posted January 22, 2010 Andy and Mods........Whatever you do, DO NOT LOCK THIS THREAD......havent laughed so much in ages. Bob. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium cornelius Posted January 22, 2010 RMweb Premium Share Posted January 22, 2010 I had a brilliant and original insight here, then I saw it said PLEASE DO NOT REPLY DIRECTLY TO THIS EMAIL so I was all because I wasn't supposed to reply. Andy, have you noticed an increase in this happening since moving to the new software? On the previous forum the message itself wasn't included in the email so you had to click through to the site to read it at all - that surely must have helped make it more obvious? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pint of Adnams Posted January 22, 2010 Share Posted January 22, 2010 Expanding the scope of this thread, if I might be permitted, I note that the banner that Andy has been using to update those who managed to connect to the Forum now reads ...A new server from a new host has been ordered... Does this imply that the last waiter was cr*p, died, retired, whatever, and is being replaced, and so has the person who is giving the party;?) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Solly Posted January 23, 2010 Share Posted January 23, 2010 Maybe the best way would be to make the reply "undeliverable" so it just bounces back to the sender who failed to read the instructions. I am sure that it is possible to set up an address so that it sends but will not allow incoming messages that get bounced. Chris That is my thoughts as well - bounce replies back but then I know some people who when they get a bounced e-mail - scratch their head & say " what the.... is this all about?" because the reason is not on the first line. I do not know how they manage to send an e-mail or join a forum in the first place!! There is a saying " you can lead a horse to water but cannot make him drink" so large typed letters will not fix the problem - bounce them back! If people are savvy enough to join a forum & post, etc, eventually they will ask on the forum, "what gives with bounced back replies?" Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest dilbert Posted January 23, 2010 Share Posted January 23, 2010 "You can lead a horse to water but you can't make him walk on it" may be more appropriate in this instance...dilbert Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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