Jay, I am writing another reply to you. This first:
Modification of terms: I say that there is also at least one other PM, in addition to the one to Wilhelm (which I did not know about).
Accruing evidence of habitual PM-begging.
I believe that it may well be acceptable to describe some contents and context of PMs.. but it is generally not a good practice to either disclose them or offer to expose them.. and I am not sure if the fact that such PMs might break forum rules would be enough because there is already a remedy for that, which is to hit the report button within the PM.
It is
generally not a good practice, as a matter of etiquette and common decency. I am deeply sensitive to the privacy of good-faith correspondents, with whom I am mutually engaged.
That generality does not apply to unsolicited requests for money—i.e., beggar-spam. Especially not from a random stranger. (It also does not apply to personal attacks and harassment from trolls, etc.)
Please also remember that I didn’t just suddenly start getting PMs dragged out in public. I started with what you say: “describe some contents and context of PMs”. I briefly noted that Dabs had a history of begging for money in PMs. goldkingcoiner lashed out at me, insulted me, smeared me as a liar—and
he demanded evidence. Well, that last part is reasonable enough! I am a big believer in going by the evidence.
My word has been challenged. I called on Dabs to come clean; he has not done so, and at this point, I think it may be too late. If I seek to establish that anyone who called me a liar is, in fact, lying about me, then any and all extant Dabs begging PMs are the evidence.
And—I know you are aware of this, Jay; but for the n00bs, I should make it clear that
posting PMs is not against forum rules.Re: Publicly posting PMs
There is no restriction against it. PM = Personal Message, not Private Message.
Compare "private interview" to "personal interview" or "private locker" to "personal locker". Something private isn't expected to be made public, but something personal is only owned by or associated with a single person, not necessarily with a strong guarantee of privacy.
I get your point, but remember goldkingcoiner thought, that this guy actually did good things before, it’s an expected first reaction. I wouldn’t take it personally, lets see how he reacts after you provided him the proof he asked for.