Password Protecting Posts

[tehblob]

Is there any way to do this. . .?

Thanks in advance

[Boofo]

I know it can be done on forums but it would take a hack or a hack to do it for posts, I would think.

[tehblob]

Could anyone make it?

[GameWizard]

Why would you need this functionality anyway?

[jilly]

I'd be interested in it too.. Just to let me users password protect threads they wanted to themselves, if they wanted to post info they only wanted to share with certain friends.

[GameWizard]

Wouldn't it make sense to simply use the PM feature then? I don't understand the necessity for PW protecting posts at all.

A private social group would have the same effect aswell.

[jilly]

It's more a personality thing - some people want to post something, but only allow certain people to view it.. It WOULD make sense to just use the PM system.. yet my users still ask.. so I in turn ask .. :)

[GameWizard]

The impracticality of this system becomes apparent when you realize that you have to actually PM everyone the password in order to access the thread, when it would make more sense to simply PM everyone the content to begin with.

But consider you want the social/messaging aspect of it, a private Social Group would be much more effective as you can define who you want to be able to view the content, without any passwords. It's done by invitation, and the content can be changed (just like a thread) and comments can be posted freely like a thread.

So this concept doesn't hold up in practical terms, but from a coding perspective would be a lot of work as well.

[tehblob]

I want it because it helps prevent leechers.. and instead of pm'ing large amounts of information...

And social groups... Well. . . My users dont like them, for some reason :S

[jilly]

The impracticality of this system becomes apparent when you realize that you have to actually PM everyone the password in order to access the thread, when it would make more sense to simply PM everyone the content to begin with.

But consider you want the social/messaging aspect of it, a private Social Group would be much more effective as you can define who you want to be able to view the content, without any passwords. It's done by invitation, and the content can be changed (just like a thread) and comments can be posted freely like a thread.

So this concept doesn't hold up in practical terms, but from a coding perspective would be a lot of work as well.

No, the way my users want to use it goes like this:

Member A wants to post something up but doesn't want everyone to see it. Member A puts a password on her thread. Members who want to read it send a PM to Member A asking for the password, and Member A can either provide it to them or decline, depending on her feelings at the time.

This comes in useful for stalking situations, or fighting amongst members, or cases of sensitive information.

Or say you have a medical board, and a member wanted to post some specific medical info, and have it available for certain members or mods to see, so she would post the medical info, put a password on the thread, and give the password to those who she wants to see it.

in contrast, if she did it in a private group, you might have a private group with 100 members in it, but that still does not mean you want all 100 members of that group to see a sensitive item -

Again, it can be done by PM, but if it's a thread on a baord that stays, then it can easily be referred to by the member and other people as time passes, rather than searching for a PM, or having the PM have already been deleted from people's inboxes.

It just gives a much more pin-point like control for the member over who exactly gets to read a sensitive thread.

Not something that most boards would use every day, but it would be useful in certain situations.

[tehblob]

my point exactly ^^ and i would use :)

[tehblob]

Bump?

[GameWizard]

Let me just make it clear that although some of you have relatively decent points on why this would be a good idea, it doesn't change the fact that this simply isn't going to be created as other alternatives are available. (i.e. Private Groups)

Unless you take it upon your own to create this or pay somebody a load of cash, this simply isn't going to happen. I can tell you right now the amount of code required for this is extensive. It seems simple, but I have found that the simply things tend to be the most complex. So I'd suggest you grab a coding book and start cracking.

[Boofo]

No, the way my users want to use it goes like this:

Member A wants to post something up but doesn't want everyone to see it. Member A puts a password on her thread. Members who want to read it send a PM to Member A asking for the password, and Member A can either provide it to them or decline, depending on her feelings at the time.

This comes in useful for stalking situations, or fighting amongst members, or cases of sensitive information.

Or say you have a medical board, and a member wanted to post some specific medical info, and have it available for certain members or mods to see, so she would post the medical info, put a password on the thread, and give the password to those who she wants to see it.

in contrast, if she did it in a private group, you might have a private group with 100 members in it, but that still does not mean you want all 100 members of that group to see a sensitive item -

Again, it can be done by PM, but if it's a thread on a baord that stays, then it can easily be referred to by the member and other people as time passes, rather than searching for a PM, or having the PM have already been deleted from people's inboxes.

It just gives a much more pin-point like control for the member over who exactly gets to read a sensitive thread.

Not something that most boards would use every day, but it would be useful in certain situations.

Simple. Make a bbcode to wrap around what you don't want seen. Then do a preg_replace with a conditional in the postbit_display_complete hook. You could do a profile field for the password needed. It would entail a bit more than that but that is the basic procedure.

[GameWizard]

Simple. Make a bbcode to wrap around what you don't want seen. Then do a preg_replace with a conditional in the postbit_display_complete hook. You could do a profile field for the password needed. It would entail a bit more than that but that is the basic procedure.You always have to be a party pooper, don't you? :p

[Boofo]

LOL I like to see 'em struggle a bit first. ;)

[tehblob]

Let me just make it clear that although some of you have relatively decent points on why this would be a good idea, it doesn't change the fact that this simply isn't going to be created as other alternatives are available. (i.e. Private Groups)

Unless you take it upon your own to create this or pay somebody a load of cash, this simply isn't going to happen. I can tell you right now the amount of code required for this is extensive. It seems simple, but I have found that the simply things tend to be the most complex. So I'd suggest you grab a coding book and start cracking.
Is it really that hard? :S

[jilly]

Simple. Make a bbcode to wrap around what you don't want seen. Then do a preg_replace with a conditional in the postbit_display_complete hook. You could do a profile field for the password needed. It would entail a bit more than that but that is the basic procedure.

Oh boofo, you are a genius!! oh please make this for me, I will pay you!!
:) :) :)

--------------- Added 1211152878 at 1211152878 ---------------

Let me just make it clear that although some of you have relatively decent points on why this would be a good idea, it doesn't change the fact that this simply isn't going to be created as other alternatives are available. (i.e. Private Groups)

Unless you take it upon your own to create this or pay somebody a load of cash, this simply isn't going to happen. I can tell you right now the amount of code required for this is extensive. It seems simple, but I have found that the simply things tend to be the most complex. So I'd suggest you grab a coding book and start cracking.

Ah, if only I had time to grab a coding book.. it's php that I would have to learn? Maybe I will, and then I can code all my own crazy requests.. That's how i made my first website like 12 years ago.. bought an html book and read it over a weekend and made a website on geocities :) But seriously, if I wanted to learn php with the sole intention of making vb hacks, what should I look for?

and on the other parts of the post, Private groups dont do it.. It wouldnt be the same function - plus private groups can be deleted at the whim of the owner - so some of my members are hesitant as to how much detailed time and effort they want to put into posts in the social group.

Besides at my site, which is a medical site, all the main medical type posts are out on the main boards, and I don't want those posts in a private group - the private groups are for things like 'fans of grey's anatomy' and 'south beach diet' - stuff like that. If someone wants to post up some details about bloodwork, or some other specific medical issue, and doesn't want everyone to see it, they want to put it there with a password. I know it seems silly to some, but when you have a really big board, with a lot of members and a lot of activity, and deal with certain subjects, it could be a viable option

[Our House]

I have started working on this. Like others have said it's a lot of effort...and probably won't be a free project, sorry.

So far I have done one php file, 3 plugins, 8-10 phrases, one new database column, one new template, and one template edit. It may also require 2 or more actual file hacks (something I overlooked before) because of security issues -- like forum searches and forum archives showing "private" threads when they aren't supposed to.

Also, feel free to post suggestions in this thread about access permissions. Right now, I have it set so that admins and mods can view protected threads by default...everyone else would need the password. The thread starter will have an additional option to request his/her password via PM in case it becomes lost or forgotten.

A semi-working version should be done within the next day or two (no promises though). Anyone who is interested in this when it's completed can PM me to discuss a rate for installation. I'll be happy to work one at a time with those of you who want this addon, but will most likely not be able to release and/or support it publicly.

[Boofo]

Why would anyone want to make suggestions if this is going to be a paid hack? So you have never installed any free hacks from here, right?

[Our House]

Why would anyone want to make suggestions if this is going to be a paid hack?Sorry, I don't know all of the standard procedures here.

Suggestions can be sent by PM also. I plan to do installs and help custom-tailor this for each member's own board, but don't want to promise free time to the whole forum at the moment.

PMd suggestions would actually be better, you're right.

So you have never installed any free hacks from here, right?Of course I have. I've also posted changes in thread and helped authors to improve their mods.

Don't see how that relates to your first question though and hope it wasn't meant to be derogatory.

[Boofo]

Nothing derogatory in the least. But it wouldn't hurt to give back to the community without expecting to be paid for it, right?

[Our House]

OK, I have what I believe to be a working copy of this.

Anyone who is interested in using this on their board please PM me.

Boofo, I know you want to see this released as a mod. I've never released a mod before so I will need help when I write my first one. I have 2 reasons why this addon shouldn't be a public mod (neither of them are selfish or personal as you believe). If you feel you want to discuss it further, send me a PM -- preferably with your AIM or MSN name -- and we'll try to work those problems out.

[tehblob]

Thanks to Our House, who has kindly sorted my problems :) And is updating me regularly