Allow reply-to individual instead of topic/forum (mailing list feature)

As mentioned, below is a summary of the earlier points in this topic, and new thoughts, on letting a user reply privately to a post.

“Reply To Sender” Feature

  • feature is about pure email users; online users can use flag to private message
  • feature shouldn’t disclose email addresses
  • feature should force a PM to the user via email; see details below
  • feature will notify the recipient according to their PM preferences; default is email) (currently supported; no change needed)
  • recipient can respond via site or by email response (currently supported; no change needed)
  • sender field would include Username noreply@example.com (currently supported; no change needed)
  • subject line would start with [Message] (currently supported; no change needed) or possibly [Private Reply] followed by [Topic Name]

Email Client

  • User selecting “Reply” or “Reply to All”) in their email client should respond to the post on the site, not via PM (currently supported; no change needed)

Email Message

  • Current footer of email is “[Visit Topic] or reply to this email to respond.” (currently supported; no change needed)
  • Add: “You can also reply privately to the user.” with a mailto: link to trigger the feature
  • Feature would populate email client send field with [User Name or Full Name] (according to site settings) and send email to replies+;asjdf;alskjdfa@example.com] (just like PMs work currently)

Note: This would also clarify that the current “reply to this email to respond” language is not the same as replying privately (which can be confusing to users as currently implemented).

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