Explanation – how does private messaging work

[Milena]

I noticed that when I want to sent a message to a user – the site will only find his or her name – if that user is my friend.
Otherwise- writing that user’s name or @username causes an error.

So what is the point of the private messaging then if I am not using the friend element?
I rather users to follow each other- but now it seems I have to use friendships because this will confuse the users.

Anyway to fix this issue to be able to see all the users names in the “Send to” field? Or at least to be able to enter the @username -like in the forums or the activity – and have the message sent?

[Alyssa]

@milena this is a BuddyPress issue. See a wonderful explanation here: http://premium.wpmudev.org/manuals/the-buddypress-manual-2/sending-private-messages/

[Milena]

Thanks , that is a good reference. But I still think there should be a better system – maybe with @- to be able to tag anyone in a message.

[Alyssa]

@milena sadly this is a lacking feature in BuddyPress 🙁

[Christopher Williams]

Do you think this a feature that could be added via a plugin or is it calling to much on the coe ability of BP it self ?

[Alyssa]

@cwilliams WooCommerce has this feature built into their plugin. I don’t see why BP couldn’t have a plugin to do that same.

[Christopher Williams]

Do you feel if i design a plugin to give this ability it would be accepted by the community or do you feel there is no place for it with the plugin from WooCommerce That has this feature built into their plugi

[Alyssa]

@cwilliams the woocommerce search is only in the dashboard and searching orders. I think it would be greatly accepted by the community.

[Milena]

I think it would be greatly appreciated by the community, starting with me @cwilliams 🙂