I understand. But what does "IM" mean? I can "IM" her? Huh? Does that mean private e-mail? Forgive my ignorance!
It's no problem! It stands for Instant Message. On all members' posts, there's a small icon that shows a page with an envelope on top of it. If you click on the page/envelope that's inside the message of the person you want to contact, it'll open a window with their username already filled in. Just type your message (subject title is optional), then click Send and it will immediately appear in their message center. It's not like email, but is very similar to AOL Instant Messenger.
Another way to send an IM is by accessing your own message center via the "Hey, yendor, you have __ new messages, __ are new" under the logo on all the forum pages, then click "New Message" in your message center. Doing it this way, you need to know the exact user name of the person you're writing; mine, for example, is admin and not Midnite. There's yet another way to get into your message center-- thru the Info Center on the Home page, but I don't want to confuse you.
BTW, the little envelope that appears next to the IM icon in some posts provides a way to send emails. But not everyone has it because many choose to keep their email addresses private. I hope that's not too much info all at once.
BTW, you'll find that you have at least 1 unread message in your message center. It's a note from me that I sent you on Halloween.