Post by Proxy - Let your staff post using another username(s)

[Marco van Herwaarden]

Hack: Post by Proxy
Version: v1.00.1
Author: MarcoH64
vB version: Tested 3.5.3

Description
With this modification installed, members of usergroups that have permission, will be able to make posts using a different username (post by proxy).
This can be usefull if you want to let Staff members (for example: moderators, administrators) make posts that can not be resolved to a single
staff member. Members that are in a usergroup that has permission to see the real poster, can view both the Proxy username and the real
username.

Features
- Members of a usergroup can be given permission to create posts by members of another usergroup.
- Usergroup permissions control who can view the real poster
- Username can be choosen when creating or editing a post/thread
- Original poster is stored in history
- Postcounts updated on a change of the posters username
- History is updated when a username is changed (from ACP)
- Fully phrased
- Automatic templates edits at runtime. Instructions for manual edits for modified styles are provided.
- As a litle bonus: Usergroups can also be given permission to sent Private Messages on behalf of another username.

Installation
See install.txt

Configuration
See Manual.txt

Change Log
Version 1.00.1 21-02-2006
- Fixed bug giving an error message when PHP setting 'allow_call_time_pass_reference' was set off
Version 1.00 09-02-2006
- Initial Release


Please don't forget to click Install at vbulletin.org.
If you like this work and would like to support the author, donations are always welcome at Paypal: marcoh64@gmail.com

[Brad]

I like it. :)

Installed.

[Snake]

Oh goodie.

/me installs

[Ziki]

Oh very fine!
~Ziki clicks install~

[Marco van Herwaarden]

* Aftermath installs
~Ziki clicks install~

Then also please click the button :D

[Marco van Herwaarden]

Is it possible to set this so it can only be used in certain forums? (rather than just the forums where the user is a moderator)
No you can not. It is a Usergroup permissions, not a forum permission. Maybe i'll think about adding that in a future version.

[moonclamp]

No you can not. It is a Usergroup permissions, not a forum permission. Maybe i'll think about adding that in a future version.

OK ... thanks.

I was thinking of using it like the anonymity hack to let users post anonymously in a "confessions" forum. (the proper anonym hack is buggy) :)

I'll look forward to the time you do, but I may still use it for it's proper purposes in the meantime.

[Marco van Herwaarden]

Yes i saw the other thread about anonymous posting, and i also had this hack in mind when i said i would come with something that might be adjusted for that purpose.

[projectego]

* projectego clicks install :)

[Wild-Wing]

this is cool if your dumping the forum and installing a fresh copy or moving to vB

[Marco van Herwaarden]

this is cool if your dumping the forum and installing a fresh copy or moving to vB
Please explain, i don't really get what you mean.

[IrPr]

Thanks Marco!
its what i was looking for;)
very usefull, same as all of ur Modifications ;)
Welcome back to NL:banana:

[khanted]

Yes, it's great. Thanks.

[Marco van Herwaarden]

Nobody any errors or other complaints?;)

[Revpolar]

OK ... thanks.

I was thinking of using it like the anonymity hack to let users post anonymously in a "confessions" forum. (the proper anonym hack is buggy) :)

I'll look forward to the time you do, but I may still use it for it's proper purposes in the meantime.
I like to see that too. Thanks.

[luroca]

Nobody any errors or other complaints?;)Well, it?s only me or signatures don?t appear in proxy posts?

I like this hack :)

[Marco van Herwaarden]

Well, it?s only me or signatures don?t appear in proxy posts?Which signature did you expect, from the real poster or the Proxied user? Never tested with signatures, so there might be a problem, please feedback.
I like this hack Thanks. :D

[Marco van Herwaarden]

Well, it?s only me or signatures don?t appear in proxy posts?
Just did some testing on my testboard, but the signature of the (real/proxied) user is showing fine with me. Even if you edit the post and update the poster.

[Marco van Herwaarden]

Quote:
Originally Posted by moonclamp
OK ... thanks.

I was thinking of using it like the anonymity hack to let users post anonymously in a "confessions" forum. (the proper anonym hack is buggy)

I'll look forward to the time you do, but I may still use it for it's proper purposes in the meantime.


I like to see that too. Thanks.Ok, if i understand correct, all that would be needed to turn this into an Anonymous Posting hack, would be forum permissions. Right now only Usergroup permissions are possible.

What would be needed?
A. A forum setting (ie. every usergroup can post in that forum using 1 of the defined users).
B. A Usergroup/Forum permission. (ie. you can set for each Usergroup for each forum what permissions they have).

[cd1986]

One thing i did notice - if you post as another user, then look at their member profile, you can see that they haven't been online when posting. For instance, i tested it with a phantom user i made a few days ago - and he managed to post on 12th Feb even though he hasn't been online since 6th. :p

Is there any way to update the last date online when the post is made?

Other than that, great addon - should be really useful! :)

[Marco van Herwaarden]

One thing i did notice - if you post as another user, then look at their member profile, you can see that they haven't been online when posting. For instance, i tested it with a phantom user i made a few days ago - and he managed to post on 12th Feb even though he hasn't been online since 6th.
Hmm never thought about that, shouldn't be a showstopper i think, since in most cases this will not be a real user that ever login. But i will keep it in mind for the next release.

[Zowners]

Just because they aren't real users doesn't mean we don't want them to look like real users :)

[moonclamp]

Hmm never thought about that, shouldn't be a showstopper i think, since in most cases this will not be a real user that ever login. But i will keep it in mind for the next release.

If a user is invisible it will look like that anyway. Invisible users "last seen" status will be the day that they "vanished"

[Hellcat]

Hey, cool goodie!
* Hellcat runns off to install and test :)
[EDIT]
Installed.
But now I'm getting this:Warning: Call-time pass-by-reference has been deprecated - argument passed by value; If you would like to pass it by reference, modify the declaration of [runtime function name](). If you would like to enable call-time pass-by-reference, you can set allow_call_time_pass_reference to true in your INI file. However, future versions may not support this any longer. in \htdocs\vb35\newthread.php(68) : eval()'d code on line 14

Warning: Call-time pass-by-reference has been deprecated - argument passed by value; If you would like to pass it by reference, modify the declaration of [runtime function name](). If you would like to enable call-time pass-by-reference, you can set allow_call_time_pass_reference to true in your INI file. However, future versions may not support this any longer. in \htdocs\vb35\includes\functions_mh_pbp.php on line 107

Besides that it's working....


[Edit #2]
This seems to fix it:
Remove the "&" from the first parameter in all calls to mh_pbp_modify_template() in the plugins and the PHP file.

That removed the warnings for me and everything still worked fine.

[Marco van Herwaarden]

Thanks, will look into it. What PHP version are you running (PHP5 with strictmode??)?

[Hellcat]

I got that on my local PHP 4.4.0 testinstall with almost every PHP (INI) setting on default value.

[m_k]

clicks install... installed it and got the same errors as hellcat

tried doing the "&" removal trick and now it doesn't work at all...

update: removing the "&" from the uploaded file gets rid of the second error message

update: disabled for now, but hoping to resolve the problem - definately a cool idea :-)

[rnmcd]

Yes i saw the other thread about anonymous posting, and i also had this hack in mind when i said i would come with something that might be adjusted for that purpose.

That is exactly the method I want/plan to use this! Thanks again MarcoH64.

Has anyone tried it yet as a substitute for the anonymous hack? What happens if you try to PM someone that is using their proxy/alias name? Does it show the proxy name in the "Recipients List"?

Also, to whose profile does it take you to when you click on the proxy's name in the postbit?

[Marco van Herwaarden]

clicks install... installed it and got the same errors as hellcat

tried doing the "&" removal trick and now it doesn't work at all...


update: removing the "&" from the uploaded file gets rid of the second error message

update: disabled for now, but hoping to resolve the problem - definately a cool idea :-)Can you provide me a link to a phpinfo() page on your server.

And yes removing teh & in the function definition will make the hack not work.

Has anyone tried it yet as a substitute for the anonymous hack? What happens if you try to PM someone that is using their proxy/alias name? Does it show the proxy name in the "Recipients List"?

Also, to whose profile does it take you to when you click on the proxy's name in the postbit?It will really appear to be posted by the Proxy user. So all links will point to the profile or PM of the proxy user.

If you don't want to PM a "Anonymous" user, set his profile to not allow PM's.

[rnmcd]

It will really appear to be posted by the Proxy user. So all links will point to the profile or PM of the proxy user.


In other words, if I clicked on the link for "smod" (as shown in your screenshots) where would it take me?


Sorry for my confusion...

:o

[Marco van Herwaarden]

In other words, if I clicked on the link for "smod" (as shown in your screenshots) where would it take me?
Then it would take you to the profile of "smod".

PS The original poster name is only visible of your usergroup has permission to view it.

[m_k]

Can you provide me a link to a phpinfo() page on your server.

sent via PM

[Southpaw]

Ok, if i understand correct, all that would be needed to turn this into an Anonymous Posting hack, would be forum permissions. Right now only Usergroup permissions are possible.

What would be needed?
A. A forum setting (ie. every usergroup can post in that forum using 1 of the defined users).
B. A Usergroup/Forum permission. (ie. you can set for each Usergroup for each forum what permissions they have).
Is this going to be a planned feature in the future? I would be really interested if forum settings were added to this hack.

[Marco van Herwaarden]

Is this going to be a planned feature in the future? I would be really interested if forum settings were added to this hack.I asked for feedback on what permission method would be preferred for this to function, so i can implement it.

Until now nobody responded, so i am not working on it.

[rnmcd]

Is this going to be a planned feature in the future? I would be really interested if forum settings were added to this hack.
Southpaw, you only plan to have anonymous posting feature in one forum?

I was going to allow anonoymous posts in any forum.

[Marco van Herwaarden]

Southpaw, you only plan to have anonymous posting feature in one forum?

I was going to allow anonoymous posts in any forum.
Anonymous postig in any forum should already be possible with the current version.

[Marco van Herwaarden]

Bug Fix version 1.00.1 released:

Changes:

Version 1.00.1 21-02-2006
- Fixed bug giving an error message when PHP setting 'allow_call_time_pass_reference' was set off


This release needs only to be installed if you have 'allow_call_time_pass_reference' set to Off, and you are getting errors warning you about: Call-time pass-by-reference has been deprecated

To upgrade, do an overwrite install of the new product file.

Edit: Also the files in the upload directory must be re-uploaded to your server for this patch.

[Southpaw]

Southpaw, you only plan to have anonymous posting feature in one forum?

I was going to allow anonoymous posts in any forum.
Yea, I was going to limit it to only one forum so that it can't be abused through my whole site.

[Marco van Herwaarden]

Yea, I was going to limit it to only one forum so that it can't be abused through my whole site.Then please take the time to answer the questions i have asked here: https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/showpost.php?p=898192&postcount=20

[Southpaw]

Ok, if i understand correct, all that would be needed to turn this into an Anonymous Posting hack, would be forum permissions. Right now only Usergroup permissions are possible.

What would be needed?
A. A forum setting (ie. every usergroup can post in that forum using 1 of the defined users).
B. A Usergroup/Forum permission. (ie. you can set for each Usergroup for each forum what permissions they have).

I think B would be ideal since you can set it to work like A, but also have the option to do more advanced things, like make a usergroup that is banned from using the proxy in the specified forum for abusing it.

[moonclamp]

Ok, if i understand correct, all that would be needed to turn this into an Anonymous Posting hack, would be forum permissions. Right now only Usergroup permissions are possible.Yeah, just so the proxy options are only visible when posting in certain forums

What would be needed?
A. A forum setting (ie. every usergroup can post in that forum using 1 of the defined users).
B. A Usergroup/Forum permission. (ie. you can set for each Usergroup for each forum what permissions they have).I think it needs a crossover between forums and usergroups.

If a member starts abusing the option then we need an option to exclude them from that grouping

EG

"registered users group" can post as "userID xx" in "forumId x"

"registered users" cannot "post by proxy" at all in "other forums" (and do not even see the option)

"admin usergroup" can post as "usergroup AB" in "all defined forums"

"supermoderator group" can post as "userID zz" or "usergroup AB" in selected forums

[Marco van Herwaarden]

Reuploaded version 1.00.1.

If you have downloaded this prior to this post as a bugfix, please download again. Also there is now 1 change in the functions file to get rid of this bug, re-uploading files is now also needed. If you already installed 1.00.1 to fix the bug, then there is no need to reinstall the Product file for the updated version 1.00.1.

If you where running 1.00, and you did not have the mentioned bug, there is no reason at all to install 1.00.1.

[Marco van Herwaarden]

I think it needs a crossover between forums and usergroups.

If a member starts abusing the option then we need an option to exclude them from that grouping

EG

"registered users group" can post as "userID xx" in "forumId x"

"registered users" cannot "post by proxy" at all in "other forums" (and do not even see the option)

"admin usergroup" can post as "usergroup AB" in "all defined forums"

"supermoderator group" can post as "userID zz" or "usergroup AB" in selected forums
I will once more rethink what i can do for this with standard vB permission systems. I don't really feel to write a seperate permission system.

[m_k]

Reuploaded version 1.00.1.

woot! workin' like a charm now :-)

thanks marco for the quick work in fixing the bug... great hack too btw

[Marco van Herwaarden]

woot! workin' like a charm now :-)

thanks marco for the quick work in fixing the bug... great hack too btw
Thanks for the feedback and the compliment.

I had a lot of time to test this hack (was stuck without internet for some time), and was already wondering if there was really no bug to be found left. Lucky the 2 of you found this in combination with your php-settings. (was actually just wrong coded anyway).

[rnmcd]

Bug Fix version 1.00.1 released:

Changes:

Version 1.00.1 21-02-2006
- Fixed bug giving an error message when PHP setting 'allow_call_time_pass_reference' was set off


This release needs only to be installed if you have 'allow_call_time_pass_reference' set to Off, and you are getting errors warning you about: Call-time pass-by-reference has been deprecated

To upgrade, do an overwrite install of the new product file.

Edit: Also the files in the upload directory must be re-uploaded to your server for this patch.

Where can this setting(see green colored text above) be changed at?

[Southpaw]

Where can this setting(see green colored text above) be changed at?

Probably in your php.ini config file

[Marco van Herwaarden]

Where can this setting(see green colored text above) be changed at?There is no reason (at least from the point of view of this hack) to change that setting. The 1.00.1 version of this hack supports both modes.

But if you want to change it for whatever reason, then yes, you can find it in your php.ini file.

[lionheart53]

I'm looking to install this for a reason that's a bit different. I've got incoming mails that are to be replies to existing topics. So what I'm thinking is actually using this hack along with a server that has a permanent login under the account that has the proxy option. Then when it gets the message it would fill out the form and use it to post. I could go direct to the database, but we don't get tons of these, and this would allow me to not have to worry about all the database updates, forum subscriptions, etc. as they'd follow all the posting rules.

Does this make sense? Any major issue you see with this logic?

[Marco van Herwaarden]

I think it wouold be easier to tell a server to write to the database, then to tell it how to fill a form and select from a dropdown box.

[lionheart53]

Yes, that's the way I'd normally go. I just have to figure out all the tables it has to hit and particularly for the subscriptions how it needs to parse the data and load the tables to send out the subscription messages. The form isn't very hard (done a lot of it) so I think I'll try to make sense of the database entries created and then if I still can't get it then I may go with the proxy form.

[Marco van Herwaarden]

You can find threads on how to create a post in our Tutorial forum

[lionheart53]

Thanks. I found the one about threads and going to see if I can find one about building replies (since all the posts right now will actually be replies rather than new threads).

[Daniel]

Awesome! Installed :)

[OneShot]

Great Hack, thanks.

In response to your post #20
- A. A forum setting (ie. every usergroup can post in that forum using 1 of the defined users).

I just need one forum where people can post as Anonymous if they want to, so no fancy stuff. I wouldn't mind option B tho, but needed at the moment is only A.

Thanks and kudos again for your work.

[rnmcd]

Vote folk, vote:

https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/showpost.php?p=898192&postcount=20

[naqalone]

I have a problem with my forum.
This hack works properly with <<new thread>>, but it doesn't work with <<reply>>.

Any body has this problem ?
I installed ver.1.0.0.1

[Marco van Herwaarden]

The only reason i can think of is that you have a modified 'newreply' template, and that the automatic template edits can not be made. Try making the edit to this template manually, as instructed in the install.txt

PS It will only work in Advanced mode, not in quick reply.

[gavinzac]

if you can make this apply to specific forums, it'd be mod of the month for sure. in reply to your question:
A. A forum setting (ie. every usergroup can post in that forum using 1 of the defined users).
this all that is needed to make this also work as an anonymous forum hack.
looking forward to install this some day.

[moonclamp]

Nobody any errors or other complaints?;)
Yeah ... not major though, but if you edit a proxy post the "edited by" message will show the real user's name.

[rnmcd]

Yeah ... not major though, but if you edit a proxy post the "edited by" message will show the real user's name.
That's kind of a major issue don't you think? If I need to edit my proxy post and it ends up displaying my real name, my proxy post is pointless. On top of that, other users will be able to figure out who my other proxy posts (in other threads) actually belong to.

[rnmcd]

Yeah ... not major though, but if you edit a proxy post the "edited by" message will show the real user's name.
Won't be able to use this as an anonymous post hack.

[rnmcd]

I wondered what happened to MarcoH64. I haven't seen him anywhere on this site for awhile...maybe on vacation or exams?

[Zowners]

I have a problem with my forum.
This hack works properly with <<new thread>>, but it doesn't work with <<reply>>.

Any body has this problem ?
I installed ver.1.0.0.1

I have te same problem. The hack works fine apart from when I try to make a new thread with a proxy account. My site is a Zoints community and I have had consultants look at the "newthread" template and they couldn't find anything wrong.

MarcoH64, do you have any ideas on how I can solve this problem?

[Nathan2006]

wooooooooooooo:banana:

Thank you Marco

This is just what I needed:D

Now I can use the fake info bot account without signing in and out to change anything:cool:

Thanks very much;)

Install

Working fully

[Zowners]

I have te same problem. The hack works fine apart from when I try to make a new thread with a proxy account. My site is a Zoints community and I have had consultants look at the "newthread" template and they couldn't find anything wrong.

MarcoH64, do you have any ideas on how I can solve this problem?

Anyone?

[rnmcd]

Has anyone tried to contact MarcoH64 via PM or email?

[Zowners]

Marco, this hack is causing a couple of minor problems on my site.

1) When making a new thread with a proxy account, your main account makes the thread, not the proxy account.

2) When someone edits a post, they lose 1 to their post count. I have found out (by disabling all hacks one at a time and testing editing threads) that this hack is the cause.

Is there any chance of getting a couple of fixes to solve these problems?

[rnmcd]

Take a look at MarcoH64's profile...he hasn't been around for almost a month.

Zowers, are you also noticing that when someone edits a proxy post that their main account displays?

[Zowners]

Take a look at MarcoH64's profile...he hasn't been around for almost a month.

Yeah I saw that, so I emailed him too.

Zowners, are you also noticing that when someone edits a proxy post that their main account displays?

No I have not encountered this bug. I wonder why we have these probs, and no other site does?

[Zowners]

Marco, this hack is causing a couple of minor problems on my site.

1) When making a new thread with a proxy account, your main account makes the thread, not the proxy account.

2) When someone edits a post, they lose 1 to their post count. I have found out (by disabling all hacks one at a time and testing editing threads) that this hack is the cause.

Is there any chance of getting a couple of fixes to solve these problems?

Marco, rnmcd, have either of you guys found out how to fix this problem?

I have also had several coders looking through the templates and they found no errors either :(

Can anyone help me with this problem?

[rnmcd]

Zowers, I have not found a fix regarding post #72.

[kurtbarker]

hey guyz, I have just installed this, great hack... but i'm curious. the 'optional template edits' in the install file. what do they do exactly? the hack seems fine without the edits, and I don't wanna go editing templates if I don't have to

[davelacey]

Great hack. Works like a dream Thankyou.

[Zowners]

Zowers, I have not found a fix regarding post #72.

Oh ok :(

[Djamil]

Great hack, thank you!

Will there be any way in the future to track who has sent a specific PM by proxy ?

At present there isn't any way to clarify which staff member has actually sent a PM - might be very useful if a staff member is causing trouble, but avoiding consequences by intent :-)

Djamil

[Bad Bunny]

Can this be used to make a post "as" another user? Or is it just preset usernames that can be chosen from a dropdown box?

[Wired1]

Bad Bunny:
The usernames ARE official users with all of the things that it comes with.

Marco (or whomever can answer this):
Does it update the post counts of the original username, or of the shared username? The description is a little confusing to me.

Is there a way to have the proxied usergroup be based upon the secondary instead of the primary usergroup?

[begore]

Has this been abandoned??

[begore]

*subscribing

[jellybaby]

I cant seem to see who is making the posts, even when I select that my usergroup can, any suggestions?

[Bison]

Anyone have this working in vb 3.6.4?

[begore]

Yep, works perfectly.

[AndyP]

Anyone still have this working in a more current version? Or know of a similar mod. I'm trying to entice members to become moderators, and if they have anonymity it will help.

I couldn't find anything else when searching.

Cheers
Andy

[AndyP]

This mod still works in vb 3.7.3 PL1. :)

[flashwave]

Works great on 3.7.3 Patch Level 1 for me as well! Many thanks! :)

[flashwave]

Would it be possible to make this work for "thread deleted by..." as well?

Thanks in advance!

[AndyP]

flashwave, I've had one problem with it. I can't view who the real poster is. Does this work for you?

[jwashburn]

How do you change the sort order so the names are showin in alphabeticall order instead of by member id

[moonclamp]

Don't suppose anyone has tested this on the vb 4.0.X series at all?

[ocmodshop]

This solution doesn't seem to work on vB 3.8.2. Is there an updated version?

[sutto]

Would love for this mod to work on v4+

Anyone tested?

[Superorb]

Has anyone tried this on 4.2?

[stevieb]

flashwave, I've had one problem with it. I can't view who the real poster is. Does this work for you? We're having the same issues but I've asked a coder if they can fix the code for us. If we get it working we'll post the update here.

Anyone else, please do likewise if you have it working.

vB 3.8.4 is our preferred version at the moment. The hack works per se but only Admin can see the hack-edit. Other mods can't even though the check-box is ticked to allow them to view original poster.

[stevieb]

Has anyone tried this on 4.2?

This works just great on 4.2

https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/showthread.php?p=2435899#post2435899

Enjoy