There is a way (not unlike an email) which is totally private to yourself and the recipient/recipients (That means no one else can read it).
If you look just under the Ausbonsai.com banner you will see a gray bar with the following headings (see below)
If you look right next to 'User Control Panel you will see (0 new messages) - If this happens to read (1 new message) it means that someone is trying to talk to you. If you click on the message it will open a new window and show you your message to which you can either reply or delete.Board index ‹ The Bonsai Cafe ‹ The Menu
User Control Panel (0 new messages) • View your posts ..................................... FAQ Members Logout [ User Name ]
I know that there are many on this site who do not know about this function because until you open your message it remains in the senders 'outbox' and that can be frustrating to the sender. You can also tick a box in your 'User Control Panel' that will send you an email to your personal email account to advise that you have mail at Ausbonsai.com
Now if you wish to send a message to another Member you can do it several ways.
At the bottom of each post you will see a little box with 'pm' in it. If you click on this box it will take you to the message board where you can type your message and send.
You can also go to the Message Center by clicking on the User Control Panel and 'Messages' and then in the Send to.. do a look up for the member you wish to send the message and hit enter.
You can also click on Members in the top RH of the Bar and look up the Member you want and in their profile there is a heading 'send private message', click on this and you are back at the Message Center and you know what to do from there.
I hope that this helps those who are less familiar with Forums and their functions.