That still wouldn't change the fact that it'd have to insert the PM for every user which could bring a heavy load to the server not to mention could take up a lot of space depending on the size of the message (if the message itself where say 50kb, and you have 4k users, that's 4000 X 50kb for the PT itself (yeh, that's 195.31 mb) you'll end up with quite a bit of wasted space that will have to loop through every user to be inserted so it could take quite a bit of time to do in the first place); IMO the system message option is a perfect answer

bit of an overkill if you need to PM your mods or fellow admins, or once membership is easy your elite group etc.

That's why it makes sense to only store a message like this in one location rather than copying it over and over. Similarly to a global announcement topic which is only stored in one place, but visible in all forums.

The message would not allow replying, but apart from this it would show up in a user's inbox just like any other message (just as if the Admin had sent it manually). The user could delete it anytime he/she wishes.

The welcome message isn't stored in one location; the template for it is stored as a wordlet, however this wordlet is sent as a pm on account creation. Yes that's right, it's a standard PM.

But as Conrad says why can't it be only once.

The icon flashes - the use sees a new PM - opens the PM up, and the PM pulls in the system message relevant to that user.

It could be called a system pm or similar - but why shouldn't it just pull in the message once opened?

Just an FYI, I'm not arguing in that this wouldn't be a useful feature. I'm just looking at it from a coding standpoint.

What Ian is talking about, a small group of users, and what Conrad is talking about (sending to everyone) really are two complete different things.

We can definitely look at putting in a PM to group feature, as that would work well with the existing PM system, and it would just insert a row for each member of the group.

For the sitewide notifications. The way the PM system is currently written, this just isn't a very feasible idea. This really is a new feature completely, rather than just something that is going to be tacked onto an existing feature.

For example, deleting the PM. Since it only exists in one location, there has to be a way to track that the user deleted it. We don't want to insert a new row for every user when a new system notification is sent. So we can't just delete a row when a user deletes it. We'd actually have to insert something, to designate the user has read it.

How about implementing a system for groups similar to the agree to rules. This way they cant reply and will have to check a box that they have read it before going forward. Something set up like the email from the cp but instead it would be a system message that applies to the group or groups you want that message to go to when they next login since your only looking for a notification system?

I think that was mentioned 10 posts back

Sorry, missed that post.

LOL no worries

(just making sure I am over 15 characters )