Patrick.net

Ask anyone a question without getting spammed!

By Patrick   Follow   Tue, 23 Oct 2012, 5:36pm   848 views   8 comments
In Menlo Park CA 94025   Watch (0)   Share   Quote   Permalink   Like   Dislike  

New feature: now when you compose a new thread, you can enter an email address to send a copy of that thread with an invitation to reply on the forum.

The goal is to have a way to write realtors without getting spammed, but it could have other uses, like writing famous people asking them to give their opinion on some topic you're interested in.

Here's how the email that you're indirectly sending will look to the recipient, with your Patrick.net username put in place of (username):

To: (the address you entered when you composed the new thread)
Subject: (username) invited you to reply
From: p@patrick.net

(username) invited you to reply to this thread on the Patrick.net forum:

Thread contents here, blah blah blah.

Click here to reply

So the mail will actually be from p@patrick.net and your own email address will remain hidden. I don't mind because I'm very used to dealing with spam.

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1. 37108605 Follow Befriend 1 threads 1,055 comments

   1   4:00am Mon 29 Oct 2012   Share   Quote   Permalink   Like   Dislike   More theatre! Only one problem, I smell this show isn't going to be a London West End production.

2. Patrick Follow Befriend (54) 5,191 threads 6,158 comments 46 male Menlo Park, CA

   2   11:17am Mon 29 Oct 2012   Share   Quote   Permalink   Like   Dislike   Reader says More theatre! Not sure I understand. You mean it will be entertaining to read the replies?

3. kronicade Follow Befriend 3 threads 64 comments San Rafael, CA

   3   8:51am Tue 30 Oct 2012   Share   Quote   Permalink   Like   Dislike   Need a shorter explanation. Is this like the craigslist anonymizer? Is this a need that has been asked for?

4. Patrick Follow Befriend (54) 5,191 threads 6,158 comments 46 male Menlo Park, CA

   4   8:55am Tue 30 Oct 2012   Share   Quote   Permalink   Like   Dislike   How can I make the explanation shorter? It is kind of like the Craigslist anonymizer, but not exactly since the question and answer are on the forum and not just email. Yes, this started when a user complained that he can't email a question to any realtor without getting mercilessly spammed when the realtors then turn around and sell his email address to each other.

5. David9 Follow Befriend (3) 28 threads 747 comments Tarzana, CA

   5   8:58am Tue 30 Oct 2012   Share   Quote   Permalink   Like   Dislike   Not going to start a thread without a subject, but that sounds interesting and useful. Frankly, it amazes me so many realtors constantly post on this site. Maybe this feature can entice some of the lurkers to come out, including the famous ones. :)

6. kronicade Follow Befriend 3 threads 64 comments San Rafael, CA

   6   10:01am Tue 30 Oct 2012   Share   Quote   Permalink   Like   Dislike   Maybe just: "Anonymizer now available when creating a thread"? Why would users want to track a separate email? Maybe I don't undertand. When a user creates a thread you could have a checkbox that might say "DO NOT NOTIFY ME WHEN REPLIES ARE MADE".

7. kronicade Follow Befriend 3 threads 64 comments San Rafael, CA

   7   10:01am Tue 30 Oct 2012   Share   Quote   Permalink   Like   Dislike   This would avoid the gobs of email people get with a popular thread.

8. Patrick Follow Befriend (54) 5,191 threads 6,158 comments 46 male Menlo Park, CA

   8   12:27pm Tue 30 Oct 2012   Share   Quote   Permalink   Like   Dislike   kronicade says When a user creates a thread you could have a checkbox that might say "DO NOT NOTIFY ME WHEN REPLIES ARE MADE". It already exists, just as the opposite checkbox: "Watch comments by email" If you don't want emails of replies, uncheck that. Or just click unsubscribe in any email you get. Should work instantly.