I have noticed that there is no ‘personal message’ [pm] element by the members posts! I find this feature most useful at the other forum I have been too as some things we wish to discuss may be taken offensively & sometimes it is just nice to say hi to people after holidays or whatever.
Personally, I like to see discussions on the public board, partly because members may find PM's invasive, but also because the public record makes for a fine place for third-party reference.