This may not be specific to DA meta as to a possible site wide suggestion to SE. If it is side wide to SE then forgive me for asking here. Also, if this has been suggested before and rejected then disregard the question and remove it.
Is it possible to create a messaging system between users other than the chatrooms?
I've had several instances were I would have liked to send a message to a user but have only been able to speak to them via comments on questions. Now I can see the purpose of NOT having the messaging system private as to keep the site engaged in the Q&A format but I think it would make an amazing addition to the stack exchange system. Thoughts?