Private Messages

For those who are new to this style of board, one of the nice features is private messaging. This enables any member to contact any other member, without posting publicly. Depending on how you set up your profile, you can request to receive an e-mail letting you know that you have a private message on the board. When you read it, you have options to reply privately, ignore it, or whatever is appropriate.
Private messaging is available on both of the phpBB boards that we have been trying out.
I received a private message from "vandal" who thought this was something people should be told about as they decide which option provides the best set of features. Here's a cut and paste from his message:

You may want to emphasize the Private Message feature of this board. I doubt many users have seen this feature before. The MegaBB board has it, too, but the other candidates do not.
I belong to a writers' board and PM is one of the best things about it.

Good idea! I'm pinning it to the top so it will be noticed.