Do you go on Invisible Mode?

I've never used invisible mode. I've also seldom responded immediately to member contacts, so as not to develop those kinds of habits. It doesn't seem to make a difference in how people respond if they see I'm online.

 

I personally like getting the PMs myself as long as it's not something that can be posted on the forum. I'd rather a new thread than a new PM.

 

I've only used invisible mode a few times and then only if I'm mega busy, am just popping into look at something in the ACP, and don't have time to answer PMs instantly.

Other than that I'm always visible.

 

I have thought about going invisible. But I see no reason for me doing this. None of my staff do either.

 

Never. My members like to know that I actually check the forum.
I have seen some admins turn on invisible mode however, and I can understand that. One of the biggest MyBB modders and a webmaster himself, labrocca, almost always turns on invisible modes due to the amount of PMs he gets...so he can ignore anyone as he pleases.

 

Very very rarely, only when specific issues arise, like you're trying to catch someone out doing something they shouldn't.

Haven't had to use it for over three years.

Sometimes my moderators used to do it a lot despite me making clear I *hated* it. they'd even post while invisible which totally defeats the object.

So eventually I took it away from the moderators quietly without saying anything. I have never beleived in "lurking in the shadows" unless it's really needed, if you're there let people see you. We're members too.

 

If you're bored online, you could always take half an hour to respond to PM's or support topics.

 

I don't deliberately wait to respond to a message or e-mail, but I don't entirely drop what I'm doing to respond to them, either. I just address the issue when I am available - sometimes that means in a matter of minutes, while other times it could mean hours or even a few days go by before I get to it. It's all about prioritizing and time-management; two of my strongest 'subjects'. :unhunh:

 

Been invisible at vBulletin.com for 6 years now. If I take myself off invisible mode, my private message box jumps by 50 per hour. At that rate, even the popup box stating that you have a PM gets annoying. As I find PMs quite useful at times, I don't want to turn them off like some others have done.

 

That's for sure understandable in your situation, Wayne - I can't imagine.

 

Yep, definitely understandable, Wayne.

 

I never use invisible mode. I don't have any reason to hide. If a member wants to contact me, they're going to whether I'm online or not. I've never had a member contact me because I was online.

 

Never done it because like someone mentioned it isn't very proffesional. None of my staff members have done it either. Atleast not when I have been online.

 

I never ever use the invisible mode as I think that it is a good thing for a forum to have a couple of staff members available the most often possible.

 

if I am staff on the forum, then no...because I think staff should always be visable. On forums where I am a member, I will only go invisible if I am busy and don't want any interruptions.

 

One other thing: I don't let my regular members have this option because I would prefer them to show on the forum index so it is clear as to how much activity we have. If we have 50 members online, 30 of which are invisible, a new guest or unaware member is only going to know of the 20...

What does everyone else think about that?

 

I can't agree more, I have disabled too for the same reason as you.

 

I don't allow regular members to go invisible either, although I'm not really sure why. It's just always been that way and we've never thought to change it.

 

That's a very good point, Savage. I never thought of it that way.

I usually offer Invisible Mode to Premium Members only (like here).

 

Yea that is an excellent point. I don't really allow users to be invisible anyway maybe the donating members but now I am not sure anymore if I will allow it.