Welcome to The Magic Café's Private Messaging System!

This system operates using a topic-style format similar to normal forum topics, with the exception that only the sender and recipient of the PM "topic" will be able to read it.¹

Following is information and instructions on how to use the system. While all attempts have been made to cover as much as possible, there may be questions not specifically addressed. If you have a question which you feel will help other members, please send the question to us for review using the submission form in the Q & A section (registered members only) and your question may be added to the list.

INBOX

The Inbox is where all topics containing incoming messages will be stored. Topics containing new messages you have not read will be marked "NEW!". "Sender" and "time sent" information is shown for each topic. Once you reply to a topic in this box it will be moved to your Sentbox. You may save or trash any and/or all topics in this box using the checkboxes and buttons at the bottom of the list.

Topics listed as "Broadcast Message" or "Staff Message" do not act like normal topics. For those there is no checkbox to delete the topic. To delete those you must view the topic and click the link provided to delete it from your Inbox.

SENTBOX

The Sentbox is where all topics containing sent messages will be stored. Topics containing sent messages not read by the recipient will be marked "Unread". "Recipient" and "time sent" information is shown for each topic. If the recipient replies to your sent message the topic will be moved back to your Inbox. You may Save or Trash any and/or all topics in this box using the checkboxes and buttons at the bottom of the list.

SAVEBOX

The Savebox is where all saved topics will be stored. Topics stored here will show the original sender and the original recipient of the topic. Also shown is the read status of the last message in the topic. Topics stored here may be trashed in a manner similar to the Inbox and Sentbox, and may be "restored" to the box from which they were saved. (This removes the message from the Savebox.) Any saved topics that are replied to will be shown in the appropriate box (Inbox or Sentbox) in addition to remaining in the Savebox. The listing for that topic in the other box may be safely trashed without losing the copy in the Savebox.

TRASH

The Trash folder is where all trashed topics will be stored. Topics stored here will show the original sender and the recipient of the topic. Also shown is the read status of the last message. Topics stored here may be "restored" to the box from which they were trashed. (This removes the topic from your Trash.) To delete any topic completely, it first must be moved to your Trash box, then you must go to your Trash, check the topic and delete it. If you do this you will be asked to confirm you want to delete the selected topic(s). This is the triple-level deletion protection mentioned in the introduction.

To view any topic in any folder, simply click on the subject title.

While viewing the topic, scroll to the form at the bottom of the page (or click the reply icon), type your message and click the Add Message button. You will be told that your message has been sent.

NOTE: For broadcast or staff messages, you may not see the reply form. This is completely normal. Whether or not to allow replies is decided by the person who started the PM topic.

Enter the username (or use the search feature), subject, message, click the "Send Message" button, and you will be told that your message has been sent. It doesn't get any easier than that!

SENDING A COPY TO ANOTHER MEMBER:

If you are the person who started the topic, you may send a copy of the topic to another user by clicking the "send a copy" icon in the header of the first message in the topic. (You must be viewing the topic to see the icon.)

If not currently viewing the message:

In your Inbox or Sentbox, check the box to the left of the topic title(s) you want to save and click the Save button. You may check and uncheck all boxes using the links provided just below the list of topics. The topic will be saved to your Savebox, and you will see a refreshed list of the remaining topics in that folder.

While currently viewing the message:

Click the "Save This PM" link below the last message in the topic. The topic will be saved to your Savebox, and you will be returned to the topic with a message stating that the topic has been saved.

Editing a private message is allowed only if there has been no reply to that message. If allowed you will see an edit icon in the header of that message. Clicking that icon will bring up a form that will allow you to make whatever changes you wish. If the other party to the topic replies to the message during the time you are making the changes you will get an error that the other party has already read the message.

OVERVIEW:

Deleting a PM topic requires three distinct actions before it is removed. They are:

1. Move the topic to your Trash
2. Check the topic and click Delete
3. Confirm you really want to delete the topic

NOTE:

While deleting a topic removes it completely from your view, it may still be stored in the database. For a topic and its messages to be completely deleted, both parties to the topic must delete it. If you delete a topic and it returns later, the reason is that the other party has added a new message to the topic.

Following are instructions on how to delete a topic, depending on the current location of the message.

From the Inbox, Sentbox OR Savebox:

Check the box to the left of the topic(s) you want to delete and click the "Delete" button. The topics will be moved to your Trash, and you will see a refreshed list of the remaining topics in that folder.

While currently viewing the message:

Click the "Delete This PM" link below the last message in the topic. The topic will be moved to your Trash, and you will be returned to the topic with a message stating that the topic has been moved to your trash. If the message you are viewing is already in your Trash, you will not see a link to delete it. Instead, you must go to your Trash and follow the instructions below.

From the Trash Folder:

Check the box to the left of the topic(s) you want to delete and click the "Delete" button. You will get a page asking you to confirm deletion of the topic(s). Click "Yes" to delete the topic(s), and you will get a message stating that the selected topics have been deleted. Click "No" to cancel the deletion and you will be returned to your Trash folder.

A printer-friendly version of each topic is available. To view the printer-friendly version, click on the printer icon located on the right side of the screen just above the first message in the topic. To return to the normal page after printing, click your browser's BACK button or click the "back" link provided at the top the printer-friendly page.

The following limits are in effect:

• Members may not send Private Messages to themselves.
• Members are limited to 60 total topics (all folders). New PMs sent to members who have reached the 60-topic limit will not be delivered. (Does not apply to PM replies and new PMs sent by Staff.)
• PMs to banned members will not be delivered. (Includes PM replies.)
• Identical PMs sent to the same recipient are limited to one every 15 minutes. (Flood Control)
• "New" PMs sent to the same recipient are limited to one every five minutes. (Flood Control)

The system has other checks and balances that may come up as well. In those cases an error message will explain the situation.

DISCLAIMER:

All unsaved PM Topics will be deleted automatically after 60 days of the date of the last message in the topic (includes Staff messages). It is the member's responsibility to save or print any important information prior to its automatic or untimely deletion. The Magic Café cannot be held responsible for lost information, either by automatic deletion or system error.

¹ The Magic Café reserves the right to review any message posted in its Private Messaging system, for purposes including (but not limited to) investigation of the selling, trading or other distribution of illegally copied media ("bootlegs") or any other illegal activity. The Magic Café will investigate any report of illegal activity and take any action deemed necessary, including reporting the illegal activity to the proper authorities.

There are currently no questions in the Q & A.