Direct notices
From StatusNet
Direct notices are dents send by you to another user, that do not appear in the public timelines. Sending a direct notice requires that both persons are subscribed to each other and you are on the same server (meaning direct notices are not federated).
To send a direct notice, go to your profile page and follow the Outbox link. As usual there is the big entry field to type your notice in but additionally there is a drop down list of all the people you can send a direct notice to. Select the recipient and type your message, then hit the send button. That's all you need to do to send a direct notice from the web interface.
Direct notices are limited to 140 characters, although the counter is not displayed in the web interface.
If you like, you can also send direct notices through the Jabber Bot. Simple start your message there with
d name then the message text
the bot will confirm that the direct notice was send.
If you receive a direct notice StatusNet sends you an email informing you, about who send it to you and what's the content of the notice. You'll find it Inbox of your profile page.

