1) Private messages are disabled mostly because I don't think hosting private conversations is a good use of site resources. (If UBBT 7.5.3 had an option to allow PMs only to and from staff I'd go for that but no such luck.) Members can include a public email address in their profiles if they like the option of communicating privately with other FTM members.
2) If your post hasn't been replied to you can delete it within an hour of submitting it. If it's been longer than that or the post has been replied to, you can email me at the address for "administrative or board related issues" on the
Contact Us page and I'll take look and see what I can do.
PS - You can edit a post for up to 24 hours. It's courteous to not make substantial changes to a post that's been replied to, or at the very least leave the "Mark as Edited" box checked.
